(It's long) 

Hey all,

Indy is going to the vet this afternoon to rule out the UTI.....   It's hard to say, but hopefully i'll have good reports....  i am having such a trying time to potty train him.... goodness.  he would do so well for a while and then he would slip again...  

then last night after i made an appointment for Indy for the uti, then i just found a spot on his side that is balding...  ,  not sure what to think of that...  it is probably the size of my fingerprint and it's not "noticable" but still, if it's the start of something i'll be glad to have that taken care of fast. 

His knee is alot better, he's not limping on it as much as he used to, but gonna talk to the vet about that to see what I can learn from it.  He never told me the name of the knee problem but i would like to know just to confirm it.  something about the knee cap not in place. from previous injury before i took him out of the shelter. 

Oh, goodness, that doggie is alot of work.....  and he needs alot more attention than what I can provide.  and he's a bit rough on my 4 year old daughter and along with pestering Kasey.....(poor dog)   for the last 2 months i have seriously thought about rehoming him....  i am so overwhelmed and with my hubby working 6 days a week and me trying to go to school and being a mommy to my two kids, i feel so bad for Indy that I can't seem to make that time that he needs, and it's not fair to him... .then last night after contacting with ratbones about the GAP program, my husband said that he really likes indy.... (he pulled my heartstrings) So i'm gonna try again....   i am getting so burned out, and stressed on top of it. i don't know what else to do...   i've had dogs from puppies to senior years.... i am just so stumped.  (but just to note that I did print out some of the forums regarding potty training/housetraining off of here, so it's in my hands.  

He is crate trained, and i have tethered him when i can't specifically watch him like if i'm cooking or goes in the crate when i can't "watch" him.   I have worked with him since december, as you can imagine dealing with this either on daily/ or weekly basis. 

He gives me the most innocent looks that just makes me melt.  however, he has come along ways since i took him out of the shelter, and he is so eagerly to please....  just wants to have your approval for everything and wants to be your shadow....  he is a great dog....   and has learned the difference of what toys belongs to him and what belongs to the kids..still slips every now and then and can't tell what's the difference from time to time, but has come a long way with that...   he just needs someone that can give him what he needs more than what I can provide.  

I have been very hesitant to tell you all this because of how some people are judgemental about some things.  but at the same time, you have to be in that persons' shoes.....   before you can judge.  it's been a long slow process with Indy....  

I have no intention to take him back to the shelter...  if he must be rehomed.... he would be with ratbones, and there's that contract that they would have to follow if interested in any of the dogs on ratbones.  so with the homevisits, and signing the papers if it didn't work out, then he must be returned, not to the shelter... and I just want to make sure of that....  because he deserves the best....

i know, is about 2 different things in this note... and sorry it's so long and if you read it this far... bless you. 

Mardi, I certainly hope no one on here would be judgemental about this.  Sometimes situations happen where you can get overwhelmed and you have to make the best decision for the dog.  You've come a long way with Indy and if he needs to go to a foster home with RBR or the GAP program then don't feel about it! 

The only time I get "judgemental" about people giving up their dogs is when they dump them in shelters (especially kill shelters!!) or haven't even given the dog a chance (which you obviously have!).  Like when an owner wants to dump a dog because "my boyfriend says I have to get rid of him" - wrong answer....get rid of the bf.  Know what I mean?

Whatever you decide we're here to support you.  I know you'll do what is best for both Indy and your family. 

MB, thank you!!   for understanding....   I guess i'm just frustrated with myself in so many ways....

thank you for your kind words....   Indy is such a sweet boy.... I just want to make sure that he doesn't end up in the wrong place if it didn't work out with him....   I would do the GAP program if it comes down to it....  I haven't signed the papers yet... so I'm gonna wait it out a bit longer and see what happens. 

I am encouraging my husband to take Indy out more, for car rides to the hardware store, auto parts store, or just to run to the gas station etc....  but we'll see, only time will tell.  But when he said, "I really like Indy".  then please spend some time with him....  that may help, regardless of his work hours working six days a week.....   but my biggest concern is his playfulness with my daughter, and how Kasey would run to my lap with the expression of "rescue me mommy!" from Indy...   and there's so many other things than that, that it is not his fault....  He deserves the best....   So he would do great with kids that are my son's age, around 9 or up and a dog that is close to his activity level. 

I'm just so glad that I have Kasey....   I don't know what I would do without a pet regardless of what it is. Kasey is perfect for us... and he's wonderful with kids.....  Kasey knows how we are and we know how Kasey is... and it just works out great!  My first rattie, Willie Joe, was my "heart" dog.... and Kasey is working his way there.....   nothing will ever take the spot of my first heart dog thou..... I just feel overwhelmed with Indy....   So far today, he's been great!!  (knock on wood)  let's just hope for the best. 

Indy has the appointment at 3:45, after i pick the kids up at school.   he's so good in the car that he just sits there.  and he loves people....   he hasn't met a stranger yet.   and has very low prey drive....   the stray cats around the neighborhood.  he just sits there and watches them walk on by.  it's too funny.