[Snowshoe]

I just really needed to vent. I have a sad story, and I've already told my mom and BF. I guess it's your all's turn.

I went home to Mountain Mamma this weekend to visit my mom and family for Memorial Weekend (I took the 'chid, but that's another story).

My dad and step mom have bought another bull dog from a back yard breeder, and are not attempting to socialize or train it.

This will be the 3rd large breed dog they've had in the past year. The first was "Mocha." Mocha was a chocolate lab puppy who they got from another byb. They did not socialize Mocha, or exercise her. So, when she nipped one of my little sister's friends, they gave her to a "farmer with alot of land." Truly, I have no idea what happened to this puppy.

The second was "Tootsie." Tootsie was a bulldog puppy also from a back yard breeder. They loved her until she got to be 3 months old, then she started getting aggressive. Duh. Again, no socialization, no puppy preschool. Dad ended up making this elaborate story when he actually just dumped poor Tootsie off at the pound. A commissioner of some kind actually adopted her. Thank God.

Now, there is "Daisey May." Daisey May is only 10 weeks old. She is biting and already somewhat aggressive for a puppy. They have said that they are not going to socialize her with other dogs (they just don't have time) and they just nodded and smiled when I told them that if they were serious about Daisey that they needed to get her into puppy preschool ASAP.

When I tried to correct Daisey for biting me (and biting very hard!) my step mom took her away and laughed saying, "Oh, she's just little! Don't be so hard on her!"

What can I do? I am out on my own and live in another state then my parents. I can't take this puppy; at this point Orchid is PLENTY to handle and I can't afford more vet bills, puppy preschool bills, etc.



I just wish my dad would listen to me. I wish I could save Daisey May. I know that in four months she will be in a pound somewhere. I think my dad is cruel, but I don't know how to tell him that.

[Tess&Coco]

Snowshoe, how frustrating for you when you are close to someone who doesn't share your responsible attitude to keeping dogs. It's very hard when people we love disappoint us. I really don't know what to suggest to stop this cycle of getting a new puppy then getting rid as soon as a problem presents. Do you know why they keep getting new dogs if the previous ones "didn't work out"?

Is there any way you can raise the subject of training and socialising jokily, making reference to the two previous dogs, and just try again to let them know that taking the pup to classes would make her much pleasanter to be around? If they have no time (thinks: priorities here) maybe you can appeal on the grounds of "a trained puppy takes less time in the long run"??

Poor you.

[Snowshoe]

Well...it's poor Daisy. I just don't know what the right answer is.

I haven't lived with my parents for years now, so I have very limited contact with them, except over the phone and occasional visits. I don't think that anything I say will do any good.

Does anyone know of a good bulldog rescue near or around West Virginia? I know it's only a matter of time before Daisy is dumped.