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!

I moved my dog with me cross-country to attend graduate school. My boyfriend worked full time and I was in school full time (full-time plus!), but we managed. When I was done with school, we all moved back home. Of course, I had had Molly for many years (longer than I had had the boyfriend, and she ended up lasting longer than he did, too, haha); I couldn't imagine giving her up.

Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Is this for real?

Many people go through school while raising a family and working full time. I went through grad school working an average of 50 hours a week, spending time on call, and caring for a fur family of 5. You acted extremely rashly in getting the dog, but acted even more so in giving her up within a week. Dogs are much less work than children. You don't need a sitter, you don't have to change diapers, you don't have to worry about feeding when necessary. Put out a food and water dish, maybe a puppy pad, and the dog would likely have been fine. Ok, so mine did a little damage to any tissues she could get her paws on. I learned- don't leave the tissues on the coffee table when I'm not home. Sounds like you may need to do some growing up, self reflection, and planning.

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

I'm sure the OP came here to get a pat on the shoulder & be told everything is ok. Clearly she will be in for a yuuuuuge surprise.

Specializes in ED, psych.

Doesn't sound like you're going to hear that comfort you were hoping for, OP.

I have two dogs, two kids, and am in nursing school. You make time for who and what you love, whether you are in school, working, etc. Sounds like you panicked. Sure, nursing school is no joke in regards to time commitment. BUT, working those 12s/16s as a nurse sure ain't no joke, either. You and your husband were just not ready for a dog, pure and simple.

My word of encouragement? For the love of all that's precious, don't adopt again until you know you both are good and ready (not for a good, long time), despite wanting a dog 'for so long.' Hopefully the pooch is as sweet spirited and easy as you say she is, making her easier to adopt the second time ... for good.

Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.

This has got to be a troll post!! Just joined, first post and gone.

OP if you are real and this did happen shame on you.

I had 3 kids small while in nursing school, a husband a dog a cat and 3 yes 3 part time jobs!! The pets were the easiest!!!

Specializes in Urology, HH, med/Surg.
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.

I'd never give up my animals, but the husband... there are days I would consider it! (I'm just kidding- who would feed my cats, goats & chickens when I'm at work??)

Specializes in Emergency.

And of course, you have the nurses who do nothing but judge. OP: Sorry you had to go through this. I had to give up my puppy during my psych rotation as I had to protect her from my partner's two dogs who just wouldn't have it. So, I definitely understand what it's like to give up a dog and while I do miss the dog as she was perfect, I can't regret it as I had to put school over an animal.

And of course, you have the nurses who do nothing but judge. OP: Sorry you had to go through this. I had to give up my puppy during my psych rotation as I had to protect her from my partner's two dogs who just wouldn't have it. So, I definitely understand what it's like to give up a dog and while I do miss the dog as she was perfect, I can't regret it as I had to put school over an animal.

I'm not a nurse, just FYI.

But I did, and will continue to judge what I view is mistreatment of animals. Among other things - like flip flops with socks, poorly behaving children and people that don't wear seat belts.

We *all* judge. Some of us just don't bother pretending to be above it all.

Specializes in Emergency.
I'm not a nurse, just FYI.

But I did, and will continue to judge what I view is mistreatment of animals. Among other things - like flip flops with socks, poorly behaving children and people that don't wear seat belts.

We *all* judge. Some of us just don't bother pretending to be above it all.

Absolutely pathetic. Your definition of "mistreatment" is hilarious. It would have been mistreatment had the owners waited too long. Or kept it and not even bothered to take care of it due to being too busy. At least they had the gall to find him/her a new home quickly.

Absolutely pathetic. Your definition of "mistreatment" is hilarious. It would have been mistreatment had the owners waited too long. Or kept it and not even bothered to take care of it due to being too busy. At least they had the gall to find him/her a new home quickly.

I love how you go from shaming people for judgement and then calling me (or my opinion?) pathetic. People always seem to trip and fall on the moral high ground. Maybe there are too many rocks.

I think bringing a dog home, loving on them for a week and then dumping them off at a rescue is mistreatment. Especially because she wanted to "protect" her studying time for nursing school. I think that's a lame reason.

Could they have done worse? Of course. But luckily we don't generally dismiss things that are wrong, just because they could be worse.

Also, they didn't re-home her - which would have changed my response. She was sent back.

Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
And of course, you have the nurses who do nothing but judge. OP: Sorry you had to go through this. I had to give up my puppy during my psych rotation as I had to protect her from my partner's two dogs who just wouldn't have it. So, I definitely understand what it's like to give up a dog and while I do miss the dog as she was perfect, I can't regret it as I had to put school over an animal.

Just because we have different opinions doesn't mean we are judging her. She gave us her story, she wanted opinions & we have them.

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