This message is from: Robin Churchill <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Jamie, if you don't mind my asking, how did you end up with these two anyway?
I know that I am probably in the minority but unless you can find someone to
take them who would give them a good home, I think you should feel some
responsibility to them because you took them in the first place. I rescue
chows and when I take a chow, I keep that chow until I can find a suitable home
and if that doesn't happen, I keep it until it dies. Sometimes that becomes
stressful or inconvenient for me. I have a chow that I took that has glaucoma,
is blind in one eye, had heartworm disease, had periodontal disease, has
required expensive veterinary and vet opthalmology care and still gets 3 kinds
of eyedrops twice a day. On top of that, he decided after about 6 months that
he didn't like one of the other dogs and attacks him if they get together. I
could go on about some of his other character defects. I didn't know what his
problems were when I took him but knew he was likely to have so!
me problems. Unfortunately, I know that no one in their right mind would
take this dog but to me, he has redeeming qualities as well and he is enjoying
his life so I feel that I have a responsibility to him. Some people may say "
well, you must not have anything else to do" In fact, I am quite busy with 4
dogs, 3 horses- two of which I compete in dressage and until recently was the
only pediatric infectious diseases specialist between Tampa and Miami. I just
have a soft spot for animals especially ones with special needs. There are
other people like me and you might find someone who would give your two fjords
a good home. Until then, I think you should focus on their positive qualities
and provide for them the best you can. I don't think it is right to euthanize
an animal just because they are not perfect or have become inconvenient. I
think if they are in pain or are so unmanageable that they are dangerous then
you might consider that as a solution.
Robin in SW FL
----- Original Message ----
From: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com
Sent: Saturday, October 14, 2006 12:26:03 PM
Subject: Re: (FjordList) What to do, what to do?
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Hi Ellen,
Well, I actually have two other retired ponies in addition to Heidi and
Brecken - I really don't have a problem keeping ponies I can't use, it's just
that these two can cause so much stress.
I don't see them being suitable as pasture ornaments for anyone else,
either. While they are sweet and friendly (I realize I didn't make this clear
in my first e-mail, but they really are...while they're obnoxious at times,
they can be so sweet too), they are expensive to maintain. I can't imagine
anyone actually wanting to take them on knowing the problems.
I don't think they're unhappy...which is part of what makes my decision
so difficult. Believe me, if I thought they were suffering, I wouldn't
hesitate to put them down. I just don't feel like it's fair to do that to a
pair
of animals that, while full of problems, seem happy and comfortable most of
the time.
I have thought about retirement homes and rescues as well, but if I'm
still going to be responsible for them it really doesn't make things easier.
I'd just be trading time for money. As far as rescues go...that, to me, is
another "give up" option that I just don't feel right about. They would not
be
easy to place, and I'd be concerned that they wouldn't receive the care they
need as it pricey. I know not all places are shady...but I'm such a worrier.
Jamie
In the Mountains SW of Denver, CO
In a message dated 10/13/2006 3:14:50 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Jamie,
This is such a hard question. What's wisdom here? All I can think of are a
couple of counter questions like:
1) Can it be financially done to have another sound horse to use for riding
and keep the two others as pasture ornaments?
2) If not, Is their health such that they can be sold? Will they at least
make
a good pasture ornament for others?
3) Or is their health so bad that it's almost impossible to keep them happy?
IE are they suffering mentally or physically?
4) Would you consider a retirement home/animal welfare home for them?
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