I've reached the point where I just don't know what to do. In the past, all of our dogs have been BIG dogs that we got from the pound. Well, we should have named this one "Folly," because here's how it happened:

We were at a pet store (bad, yes, bad -- I know better than to get a dog at a pet store) and Maisy was there and she wasn't even 3 months old yet -- a tiny little papillon. And I asked to hold her. And all my senses flew out the window. I had just had miscarriage #1 and just begged my husband, "Please, please -- I neeeeeeed a baby." So we got her.

In the meantime, I got pregnant again, and in spite of lots of bed rest and intervention, had miscarriage #2, which led to an emergency hysterectomy. This was to say that Maisy was my little buddy throughout the entire ordeal. She laid right by my side all the time. Of course, she's STILL too small (at 1 1/2 years old) to jump up on the bed), but that's another story.....

These little dogs CAN reach up to 12 pounds, but Maisy is hanging steady at 4 pounds. That seems to be her grown weight. And we are so NOT a family that's equipped for a small "frou-frou" dog. The first thing that happened was DD tried to fix her hair and we didn't find out until later at the pet E.R. because she had a rubber band around the front part of her face (like a headband). So that was a quick enough recovery, but THEN she jumped out of the vet's arms, face first into the hard floor and started having seizures. They started working on her immediately and she was in the hospital for a week and barely made it. She came home and spent the rest of her recovery in my lap.

Then a neighbor cat slapped her in the face and off she goes to surgery again because the cat tore something in her eye, but fortunately did not bruise the cornea.

Maisy walks SO CLOSE to me that I'm afraid I'll hurt her. For example, I will stand in on eplace and call her name, walking in circles, until I finally look DOWN and she's just so close that I hadn't been able to see her.

TWICE last week, I was cleaning house and hurt her by turning too fast and stepping on her leg/toe/whatever so she cried and cried until I held her. I gotta say -- I LOVE THIS DOG!!!! She's my little partner and she loves me (for some strange reason), but I'm afraid we're not the best place for her.

After I stepped on her for the second time last week, I finally got exasperated enough to put an ad in the local paper, asking for a pretty sizeable adoption fee to weed out people just looking for a free pet. One lady called who is just about PERFECT. She's older, stays at home, and her only other dog is a male (neutered) papillon just like Maisy. I was all prepared to let her go. Gathered up all her stuff, gave her a bath, etc. And the lady called and said she couldn't drive in the rain. *sigh* Now she IS ready to come get her and I'm going INSANE. I don't know what to do!!!!! I was ready to give her up, but now I don't know......

help, help, please..... any advice would be much appreciated ..... sorry so long.......

to let her go I would. I think you would feel even worse keeping her and having her meet an untimely end or be severely injured. The home sounds absolutely perfect - a person who already knows her home is suitable for this type of dog, another dog hopefully she will get along with and a generally safer environment. Just tell the woman if for any reason the two dogs dont get along or it doesnt work out you will take her back. Hugs mama. I know it must be tough but I think you are doing the right thing to let her move on to a new home!

first off -i would not let her go until you go & check out her new possible home.

we have a small dog like your maisy ~ mu luna is a pommeranian nut ball & i am her goddess..lol. she freaks when i am out of her sight.

i'd make sure the lady has all your contact info & knows she can bring her back if anything happens or doesn't go right.

if maisy loves you as you describe, she may fall in to a depression w/o you :(

goodluck.

I would send her to a better suited home (and she'll have a dog pal to boot!)

When our poodle was a puppy he was around 5 lbs at first and was often getting injured during perfectly mundane things (jumping off beds, getting slightly stepped on, etc)

He grew though and became a strapping 15 lbs. He is MUCH hardier.

I remember the angst when he was small and fragile. It does take a very special environment to manage a tiny dog like that!

Hugs on the thought of the dog leaving. It is slightly(a fraction) like a birth mom relinquishing custody of her child for adoption. It is a bitter thing to go thru.

I don't think I would let her go. Not if she is so bonded to you. Jumping out of the vets arms could have happened in any home, and a new owner could step on her too if she walked closely. The new owner may have grandkids who could hurt the dog unintentionally, and Maisy being fragile is just AMaisy and it may be an issue anywhere, just in different form.

But that is just wat I think.

I think if she has a buddy...she will do well after some time to adjust. I got a rescue springer and she had such huge separation anxiety issue and just loved our first dog, but still got so anxious after the house was empty...but now she is okay to stay alone all day out of the kennel with the other dog. The tripping over her has finally gotten down to about once a week...but tripping over a springer every time you turn around...I was getting so aggravated! With her size it wasn't her who was getting injured it was ME!

I know it's hard. MY mom has a Papillon and it's difficult to keep Veronica off of him as she really wants to "love" him to death. He is incredibly bonded to my mother, though. He sticks to her like glue. We've all stepped on him a few times because he does get under foot (I think it's one of those little dog things.)

If the kids know the rules and everyone just watches out for her, you may be okay. But if you are going through heartache wondering if you're the wrong home for her, maybe it is time to give her up.

Mom has thought about giving Barney up a few times (they've moved a lot in the last few years) but he really is so bonded to her we think it would be too much of a crushing blow for him to recover from. So Barney stays.

Yes, the "buddy" factor IS an issue. That was a problem for us. A BIG problem. Maisy had her own kitten, the most wonderful little boy in the world named Murray Sparkles. Even after Murray turned into a big cat, they were still best friends and we all slept together. Well, Murray went racing out the back door one day and got crushed under the garage door. It was HORRIBLE. The garage door has an automatic sensor and he was going so fast that he tried to slide under it at the last minute, so the sensor missed him. Maisy and I moped for WEEKS after that. Now Maisy is jealous of anyone else who tries to bond with me. Poor Murray Sparkles. We were a threesome.

Oh Amy, YES! That's the other issue! Good grief -- I nearly forgot! We've taught Anabelle how to be gentle and sweet with Maisy, but every other child that walks in this house is just a MENACE. "Awwwwww, look at the cute little puppy!" and they just GRAB for her. It's really a pet peeve of mine. Maisy has learned to back up and growl and I don't blame her ONE BIT.

Mama, I'd keep her. I think she AND you would really be heartbroken if you gave her away. I think you are underestimating yourself, and perhaps just need to re-evaluate your family's situation. Sounds to me like a little time and you will be perfect for her, and she loves you!

Originally posted by sweetladyaz
Mama, I'd keep her. I think she AND you would really be heartbroken if you gave her away. I think you are underestimating yourself, and perhaps just need to re-evaluate your family's situation. Sounds to me like a little time and you will be perfect for her, and she loves you!

what she said....:)

Originally posted by sweetladyaz
Mama, I'd keep her. I think she AND you would really be heartbroken if you gave her away. I think you are underestimating yourself, and perhaps just need to re-evaluate your family's situation. Sounds to me like a little time and you will be perfect for her, and she loves you!

:thumbsup: What she said

Mama,
Every kid thinks Barney is a 'toy' or a 'puppy' as well. He's nearly three!

I think you need to keep this dog. You love her. Give it time, keep faith, and have patience. I think this is going to work out for you. You love her and she loves you.

Animals truly are part of our family. We don't own them. We are their guardians.