I can't believe it's been a year since I first tried rehoming Stark!!! It's a tough decision, but we finally have to do it. With my triplets we have no time for him and as they get older we'll have even less time for him. I love my dog, but I think it'll be better for us and for him to find a new home. Stark will be 6 years old in October and he's been with us since he was 10 weeks old. He is purebred and we got him from Hungary.

He's a very nice, loyal dog so I want to make sure he goes to the right people. Experienced dog (preferably GSDs) owners. He's not that good around small dogs/cats or children. I also want the place to be big enough for him to run around. He is neutered and UTD on all the shots.

We live in Staten Island, NY, but will travel if needed. Please let me know if anyone's interested in adopting Stark or if you know a place/person I can contact about him.

Ps. Click here to see some pictures of him. http://www.dogster.com/?90064


Thanks.

Damn Gene, that sucks. Are you sure you can't keep him? An older dog is pretty simple to keep. I can't imgaine the work load with triplets (congrats btw), but I know an older dog is really easy to live with.

Edited by Alex Corral (05/18/2007 10:52 AM)
Edit reason: spelling

Yeah it does suck. Eventhough he'll be 6 years old, he still acts like he's 2. Has a ton of energy that I can't do anything with. Besides not having enough time for him, we'll be going outside with the kids all the time, maybe even going away for a few days here and there. Since he can't come with us, no one is going to take care of him when we're away and to board him every time is a pain in the a-- for him and for us. I want him to enjoy the rest of his life and not just walk around my back yard all day. Plus because he has nothing else to do he's barking all the time, bothering the neighbors and keeping the kids up.

Gene, I want to commend you for your decision. While I think that it's always best for a dog to stay with his original family if possible, you're obviously thinking about your dog's best interests rather than a desire to keep the dog while ignoring his best interests.

It's really sad, and I'm sorry. But I really do applaude your foresight and desire to have him live the best life possible, even if you aren't the one that's able to give it to him...no one plans for triplets!

From what you've posted, it sounds like you're going to completely research the person who adopts him, and make sure he goes to a good home.

Good luck with your triplets! And I wish you the best in finding a home for your boy.

To bad you waited so long, it's much easier to get rid of a dog when they're young. It sounds like the dog wasn't the right fit for a long time. Lot's of people have kids and dogs. How much have you really done with him for the last 6 years? Shelters are full of dogs with stories like this, people either get sick of taking care of the dog and/or they don't get educated on simple obedience training and oopps gonna have kids, the dog gotta go. I sincerely hope (for the dogs sake) that he ends up in a great home,
AL

Not to argue with you Al, but we had a boxer before we had kids and I know it was my fault because we did nothing with her as far as rank or pack structure, but when we had kids she was miserable. Just the sound of them in the house stressed her. She got to the point where she was attacking our other two dogs so I found someone to take her who had no kids or other pets and if they couldnt keep her she would come back to me. I feel for the op having triplets. I'm just guessing here but I doubt thats something he planned, and you talk about a life changing experience.

I re-read my post and it came off harsh, i didn't mean it that way. But, the shelters ARE full of dogs with this story and you said "and I know it was my fault because we did nothing with her as far as rank or pack structure", that was one of my points. i just hope it works out for the dog, that's all,
AL

Sometimes a rehoming is necessary. But working in rescue, I can tell you first hand that there are far far far more deserving, well-behaved dogs than there are good homes with ample time and space to devote to a dog. Not to mention that loosing its family cannot be explained to a dog, and they don't understand what's happened to them when they are re-homed.

Since I don't have kids I cannot empathize with you on how much work that is for you. A dog is now the least of your worries, I'm sure. But since your lives have changed so much, I wonder if you can't try some other changes too. I don't know what you have tried with this dog though.

For example, when you take the kids to daycare or out for a walk, can you also take the dog? Even if it is just for a car ride? When you go on a trip, say, to visit your parents, can the dog go too? Can he stay in your home during the day rather than 'walking around the back yard'? Is he good with the kids? What about a "doggie daycare" two or 3 times a week?

Dogs are amazingly versatile, especially the intelligent Shepherds. I'd advise you strongly to contact a German Shepherd rescue and see if there is a behaviourist or volunteer that can help you find ways to keep your dog. (I volunteer with Catahoula Rescue and we have a behaviourist, I'm sure the GSD rescues will have someone like this). I saw on Dogster that you really love this dog and he is the dog you've always wanted. It would be a shame if you couldn't make him part of the family for the rest of his days.

Failing that, I hope you can find him a great home without having to bring him to the shelter. A word of warning here - 6-year-olds don't often make it out.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Yeah and I didnt mean to compare my story with Gene, I just think he should get cut a lot of slack because nothing can prepare you for triplets. And I completely agree with you Al. I hope the dog ends up in the right home.

I agree it's a good decision and I hope for the best for the dog. It's never easy to give one up.

I am wondering if it is necessary*. My son is 6 weeks old. I'm a single mom. Now I can't even IMAGINE triplets, so you tell me if I'm way off base!

I had a crazy psycho high drive lab mix. I'd put TWO weighted vests on him, and have him run on a treadmill at like EIGHT mph several times a day and I couldn't tire him out. I was going to have him euthanized him because I couldn't responsibly place him in a pet home.

I dragged my feet until spring...

And got the dog involved in disc freestyle (frisbee). In 10 minutes per day, he gets enough physical exercise, mental stimulation and drive satisfaction to turn him inot a calm house dog.

Before, he was so spastic, even when crated, that he was injuring his tail. Letting him in the house was dangerous, even on leash.

Now he hangs out, sleeps a lot, and gets a pat on the head once in a while and is completely happy and CALM.

So - do triplets ever sleep at the same time?

Congrats!

I'm not trying to come off as encouraging your to NOT re-home your dog. I think it is a very responsible decision.

*OK - I just reread your post and noticed the "not so good around children" part. But instead of deleting what I wrote, I'm leaving it for somebody (not the OP) in the future who might need a little encouragement or another option to try.