What would you do? (regarding pets and moving)

[westtexas]

Evening all - I have a question that I am struggling with and I have always found the varied opinions of the TE ladies to be helpful in situations like these.

First off, I will be moving in about 2 months back home to start a new job and be closer to my family. This entails leaving a small town in the west and moving back to the Big City in the east. Right now, I have 2 cats and 1 dog, who is over 40 pounds.

The trouble is - I am having an extremely difficult time securing housing (any) in the Big City, especially any that will 1) allow pets or 2) allow more than 2 pets or 3) allow dogs over 40 pounds or 4) has a place to let my puppy relieve himself before he makes a mess in the high-rise elevator or other somesuch.

As many of you know, I am a veterinarian and I am finding this issue extremely difficult being at the top of the Responsible Pet Owner food chain. My two cats will definitely come with me, but the puppy - he's the one making this difficult. For one - he is not doing well in my current apartment - every 20 minutes he feels the need to go outside and will not be ignored at 3 a.m. until you walk him down the three flights of stairs and out to the grassy area. For another, my new job will be 10 hours a day with no lunch break, unlike my current job where I get 2 hours in the afternoon to walk and spend time with him (and let him out to pee!). Lastly, I cannot trust him with my cats at all - due to his breed and temperament, he has a hard time leaving them alone. These are all things I did not know until he was home with me for almost 3 months. As a malnourished stray, we battled distemper, ringworm, kennel cough, malnutrition (cobalamin deficiency leading to chronic diarrhea) and repeated conjunctivitis for a long time before he finally became as healthy as he is today. Now he is truly a puppy. I also did not know in November that my entire life situation would change like this (moving home for my mother who has become ill, not because I don't like my job).

My question is - what would you do? Rehome him with the breed rescue he came from (they brought him to me to treat and I ended up taking him in)? Or try and "make it work" in the new location despite what seems like overwhelming odds against it being a satisfactory life for a young dog? My parents have flat out refused to take him in, even temporarily (the cats however, can go to them if need be).

I know us vets are supposed to be the masters of these situations and have all the pet-related answers, but I am truly struggling with finding the best solution for him. I love my (not so) little puppy and I would love to have him around, but I am unsure that my new living situation will be amenable to his needs.

What say you, oh wise ladies?

Thanks in advance.

[malkin]

It is always hard to let go, but I think this:

Rehome him with the breed rescue he came from (they brought him to me to treat and I ended up taking him in)?

Also provide the organization with all that you have learned about him and what he will need in a new placement.

Trying to 'make it work' sounds like it will make for human, canine, and feline misery, unless you can miraculously locate a farm in the middle of the big city or something like that.

[emily_in_nc]

+1 on what malkin says. It would be cruel to leave the puppy alone for 10+ hours a day. You could possibly find a doggie day care for him, but barring that, I bet there is a better situation for him and someone who can spend more time with him. I don't think it's a good idea for any puppy to be left alone that long day after day, for a myriad of reasons, and I am sure that you don't either.

Your life situation has changed, and you're not being selfish if you don't take him with you. Just the opposite, really.

[Koronin]

I understand to a point where you're coming from. For us it was finding a place that would allow 3 cats. Most have a strict 2 pet policy. We were fortunate to find a rental company that has a two pet policy, but allows owners to make exceptions to that if they choose to. The owner of the townhouse we rented allowed us to have all 3 of our cats there. Basically what she said was that 3 cats really aren't that different from 2 and they are all adults so she didn't mind at all. The 4th cat we had is now happily living with my parents. (He was a stray that showed up and wouldn't leave so he became ours. However our 3 female cats hated him, so having him move with us was going to be difficult at best. We were lucky that my parents like him and my mom's cat doesn't mind him being there). Who knew having more than 2 pets was going to be a problem when moving. Guess I really don't have any advise. Sorry.

[PamNY]

I live in NYC and all the dogs I know travel in elevators without relieving themselves. Most (adult) dogs in my building go out three times a day and do just fine. "Sit" in the elevator works great until you have the elevator rules established (and it's good to fall back on when you have an ancient dog on Lasix).

Ten hours alone is too much for many dogs, though day care or a dog walker could help. The cat issue sounds harder unless you find a huge apartment.

I think returning the dog to the rescue is acceptable, responsible and probably best for everyone. However, you definitely should tell the rescue the dog demands to go out every 20 minutes and in the middle of the night. Perhaps now that his health issues are resolved he could get some additional training.

[spokewench]

Maybe if you describe the situation to the vet clinic you will be working for; he can become the special vet pet! Then, he could be at the clinic all day and have lots of attention?

[indysteel]

IThe cat issue sounds harder unless you find a huge apartment.

If you don't think the dog can be trained to live harmoniously with your cats, than I think it would be best to return him to the breed rescue group, especially in light of your other issues. All things considered, it just seems like the puppy needs more attention than you can give right now. Better to admit that than to force everyone--you, the dog and your cats--to make do. The anxiety and stress the situation will engender will not be good for any of you.

[tulip]

Sounds like you've been a good foster-owner for the dog, getting him back to health and figuring out his quirks so someone else with a more appropriate setup can take him forward.

[TxDoc]

Not sure I can give much advice, really.
First of all, I am sorry about your mom being ill, I hope things get better soon.
As per puppy, is he/she of the temperament that could be easily trained into becoming an outside dog? If so, your life could be a bit easier in a house as opposed to an apartment, as you could create a nice environment outside for puppy (doghouse, play areas, etc) and let him/her stay in the yard during your work day.
Other than that, I do not know what to say to help. The alternative options that come to mind are not too appealing, you know, things such as day boarding, etc.
Or, do you have friends in the new town that could host puppy in their backyard during the work day?