How to decide who stays and who goes

[suebisaga]

How do people with multiable dogs decide who they keep and who they place if the time comes that there's no other options?
I have 8 dogs down from 10. I have placed two of my rescue/foster dogs. The other 8 I have had for anywhere from 9yrs. to 3 months.
My 4 oldest are rescues and were not able to be placed for many reasons.
I also have 4 corgis all rescues. My 1st is Boomer he is almost 3yrs. old and I have had him since I rescued him at 12 weeks. I have his little brother Moose same mom differnt dad he's 1 and 1/2 and I had him since 10 weeks old, he has had lots of ortho problems and has had a number of surgerie to correct the issues but still has very bad front legs. I also have there mom she 8yrs. old and I had her 6 months. She has a number of issues as well but mostly ortho no temperment issues. She's a lover although shy with men. My newest rescue corgi is Jake and he is about 1 and 1/2 and I think he's been here almost 3 months. He is a wonderful little guy but stubburn and was neglected and abused before he came and is coming out of his shell and becoming a wonderful loving young man.
I am in a place that I can not keep everyone with me. I have fallen on very hard times and am lossing my home/farm. My moms local dog ordinences say 3 dogs. I have to move back in with her. I have talked her into letting me have 4 dogs. She isn't happy about this but too bad. I have no other family or friends to help me out(I have a friend who offered to take one or two dogs but as much as I love him as a friend I wouldn't let him watch a goldfish). All my dogs are house dogs. I could not afford to kennel/board them and I am not sure long term fostering (if I could find it) in another home would be fair. I have no set time I could take them back. I can't ask someone to watch them for ?? amount of time can I?
I have to decide who to let go and who to keep. I would rather cut off my arm. I love all my dogs and all hold a special place in my heart for many reasons even the newest Jake. I have stayed in a abusive relastionship for years to keep my dogs together and with me. But I can't stay any longer.
How do people decide???

Sue

[Louwants]

Contact your nearest Corgi rescue and see what they can do to help. They should be able to help you with this. You will know that they are going to a good place and will find good homes with knowledgeble people who have experience with corgi. They are there for the dogs and the owners who can no longer keep them.

[Jane Austen]

You are a person with a heart of gold but I think you have taken on too much.
This is not critisizm so much as a suggestion that you learn that you can't save every dog.
I found myself in a similar situation when I was younger so I know what you are going through. I learned to say "no" to myself. I try not to go to shelters where my resolve would be tested.
My feelings are touched by your needing homes for your animals. I would love to take any or all but I know it would not work out for them or for me.
You say you are taking four dogs with you to your mother's house. I think you have already decided which ones to take. Your mother is being very generous to let you move in with several dogs.
If you say what area of the world you live in, it may be possible for some one on this site to help you. Jane

[glencorgi]

Contact your local rescue group as has been suggested. IF you would like to send me a private message with where you are located and details and bios on the dogs, I can get them posted to the Corgi Rescue list and get you networking with some rescuers.

Debbie

[MyPemCharlie]

Hi Sue,

Sorry to hear about your dilemna. Since you'll be back at your mom's, it might be a good idea first to see if she has any preference of which four dogs to keep (since she will be living with them too now).

I believe you mentioned that all of your dogs are rescues. The rescue organizations which placed them with you will most likely take them back. The rescue orgs definitely have an interest in knowing where their rescues get placed.

You can ask someone to temporarily home them (though you mention you don't know anyone to ask except the one friend). My neighbor's took their rottweiler over four years ago from a friend who was in a financial bind supposedly temporarily for up to one year. After one year, the rottie became theirs.

Let us know if the original rescue organizations won't take them back and your location. I am happy to hear you are getting out of an abusive relationship. That's a good step in the right direction for you.

[suebisaga]

I am the rescue who rescue them no orginiztion I have done rescue on my own for close to 20 yrs.
I haven't decided who too keep. One of my other dogs (a dutch shepherd) I am most likely having put to sleep since she is older,protection trained, and would be unstable in another home. One of the dogs is my husbands and he is going with him. He is a young male golden retreiver and would be easy to place. I have a soon to be 10 yr. old aussie I am keeping, a kelpie boy I may try to foster with a friend till I know more, then my corgis. I am not sure which one or ones to rehome.
Which is my problem. I can contact corgi rescue but am not there yet.
I just want to know how do people decide which to keep.
I have always had a huge pack of dogs, untill this time things have work out, they still may, I am still trying to make things work.

Thanks all,
Sue

[glencorgi]

While this might sound a bit cold and unsympathetic, that is not the way it is intended at all. I am coming from a place of understanding Sue's shoes and the difficulty with which such decisions have to be made. Speaking as one rescuer to another, there are certain realities to take into account as to what is in the best interests of the dogs themselves. Our hearts will break, but this is a time we need to set ourselves aside. In considering which ones to keep you need to look at future adoptability. The Dutch Shepherd is an example of what I mean. The more special the needs and seniors can be more difficult to find homes for. Letting the younger, healthier, better adjusted ones go for re-homing is my advice.

Debbie

[MyPemCharlie]

It is heartbreaking, but Debbie's advice is good. The younger, healthier dogs are most likely to find homes sooner than the special needs dogs. You may be able to work some agreement with rescue organizations to list and profile all eight dogs, with the understanding that after the first four dogs find good homes you will pull the final four dog's profiles as those would be the four you keep.

I'm so sorry. My heart aches for you.

[Corgis'R4me]

*~* I am proud of you for being strong during the hard emotionally challanging times.

The first step...was to admit that you need to ask for help.
DENIAL is where people get sucked into the enabling quicksand of habit.
You have taken the first step and have the awareness to change the current situation.

The younger more social dogs should be easy to find homes for. I agree with the other friends here that commented on that.

There will be people that will be willing to help you...hopefully you will have enough TIME to get things in order.

Please, be safe and protect yourself ( you mentioned abuse ).

We are here to help you.

*~* Nikki

[Michael Romanos]

Your heart is bigger than your head. I hope Go Corgi members have and can provide you with worthwhile options.
If your circumstances happened in New Zealand it would make the pages of the provincial and metro newspapers and national tv. In that way this kind of publicity would bring (many) homes for your dogs. Maybe that's an option for you - seek publicity.

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

If your circumstances happened in New Zealand it would make the pages of the provincial and metro newspapers and national tv. In that way this kind of publicity would bring (many) homes for your dogs. Maybe that's an option for you - seek publicity.

IF she does that in the US, she'll have Humane Societies all over her, lose all her dogs and be labeled as a collector or hoarder.

Debbie

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by glencorgi

IF she does that in the US, she'll have Humane Societies all over her, lose all her dogs and be labeled as a collector or hoarder.

I agree with Debbie, things are a lot different over here. If she does not want the dogs in shelters she needs to place them herself or contact rescue. Keep the info out of the news. NO publicity.

Peggy