Giving up my dog

Nursing Students Student Assist

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Hi! I am in need of some encouragement and hopefully someone else who has been in my shoes. My husband and I have no kids and have wanted a dog for so long. I have finished my first year of nursing school and have one more year left. With free time in my summer, I got so excited about a dog and we both jumped and brought one home from the shelter. I wish I could say she was a handful, but she really wasn't. She was sweet spirited, easy, fun. However, her very presence in our lives meant one more responsibility on top of an already stressful nursing school life. We both knew we had acted prematurely and, even though we were both in love with her, decided to take her to a rescue yesterday, after having her one week. I have literally not stopped crying. I feel like I've made a mistake taking her back and am just so sad. Has anyone else been in a similar situation...trying to protect your time that nursing school demands while also making the better decision for your sweet dog? I would so take comfort in hearing from anyone. Thank you in advance!

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing, Pediatrics.

When I was in nursing school my husband was deployed, so I did what I had to do to be able to keep my dog. I had neighbors let him out or watch him. It was tough for awhile but I treat my pets like my kids and giving him up wasn't an option.

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Specializes in MedSurg, OR, Cardiac step down.

My husband and I have 3 dogs, no kids. They are my kids.[emoji177]

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

If people can get through nursing school with children, you could've survived with a dog. One week wasn't enough time for you or the dog to adjust. You acted prematurely bringing the dog into your home & then acted prematurely re-homing the dog.

What will you do when you graduate nursing school & then have the stress of *working* as a nurse? Most hospitals work 12 hour shifts, but that doesn't mean you get out after 12 hours. Are you going to get another dog after you graduate? Stress doesn't go away. You have to manage everything in your life accordingly.

When I was in nursing school I had a bunch of dogs. My life went on & those dogs lived. My boyfriend at the time was a Border Patrol Agent so he worked a rotating schedule while I was in school. He did what he could with the dogs, when he wasn't working or sleeping. Some people deal with a lot more stress while they're in nursing school & don't get the choice to return their stressor.

I was during my first pregnant & in my 3rd trimester I was admitted into an LVN-RN bridge program. I was super excited because I had been wanting it for some time so of course I accepted. But then later down the line during my 3rd trimester I was put on bed rest so it would make clinicals virtually impossible. So I had to change that yes to a no. I wasn't able to return my pregnancy & say "I want the baby, just not now... it's bad timing/too much stress/etc".

You are taking care of a dog, not a baby. If you leave food or water out, the dog will eat/drink it. Teach it to go to the bathroom outside & there will be no accidents. If only children were that easy.

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I feel terrible for your ex-dog. I have two kids, and two dogs and a husband - I'd never dream of giving any of them away because of nursing school - or anything else that's going to be tough in life because there's plenty.

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One week?? Well, at least it wasn't long enough for the dog to get really attached to you or the new home.

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If you cannot stop crying, I think you know giving her up is not best for HER. If you believed it was the best thing for your new sweetie you'd be able to let go.

I got a dog while in nursing school. I called my mom in tears saying I'd have to give him back. By the time I'd finished vacuuming up the mess that prompted my mini breakdown all I could think about was holding my terrified little guy (vacuums are very scary & evil!) and how I was going to make it work.

I found I could not manage more than a quick walk before clinical so I made up for it with an hour long walk as soon as I got home. It really helped me unwind & digest what happened that day too. I also signed up for training. It's only 1 hour a week, it's fun, and it gave me a good excuse to take mini breaks from homework to practice what we learned & just give him some attention.

For my 2 long days, class and work back to back, I had a neighbor who would come over with her school age son & walk him. I paid her son $5 a day & he loved having a "real job". I also had a potty patch on my balcony for emergencies. If you have a fenced yard, get a doggy door.

Honestly I think having my dog got me through my last semester of school. I was forced to go outside & I couldn't feel anything but happy when I come home to a wiggling ball of fluff. I lived alone & I made it work. You have your husband to help. I think it will be worth it because it sounds like you've already fallen in love with her.

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Well I just reread your post. I didn't realize you already got rid of her. I think in this case it might be best. It's one thing to feel overwhelmed, it's another to actually dump your new dog because your tired or stressed or whatever. If you decide to have a baby, don't forget to take advantage of the safe surrender laws when having an infant proves to be too much for you.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Well I just reread your post. I didn't realize you already got rid of her. I think in this case it might be best. It's one thing to feel overwhelmed, it's another to actually dump your new dog because your tired or stressed or whatever. If you decide to have a baby, don't forget to take advantage of the safe surrender laws when having an infant proves to be too much for you.

Lol. I was waiting for someone to say this (bolding is mine).

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Specializes in MedSurg, OR, Cardiac step down.

Im sorry this happened to you and the dog. In the future, please consider that animals are not disposable. So please make sure that you are able to love the pet for the life of the pet. They are sentient beings capable of feeling. Not to be traded in for a newer younger model, the latest accessory or when life gets stressful. It doesn't seem you are going to get the responses you are looking for so Use this as lesson and learn from it moving forward.

Adopt don't shop[emoji111]🏻️

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and you wanna be a nurse? wow...

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
and you wanna be a nurse? wow...

Lol. That's ruff. Hahaha!

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