Temporary Home Needed

[EchoGSD]

Hi, everyone
Has anyone ever placed their pet temporarily? We are having to move in with my mother-in-law who is displaying the early signs of alzheimer's. We cannot take any of our pets. We have found safe harbor for all of the pets except the GSD, and I have a hopeful lead on a good place for her with a retired Oakland County K9 handler. Nonetheless, it is breaking my heart to know that in a few short weeks I'll be separated from my furry family.

[Stevenzachsmom]

LeeAnn, I am so sorry you are going through this difficult time. I'm sure everything will work out and hope you will be reunited with your fur family soon.

[Lmilr]

I've had the opposite experience of that. A few years ago my brother had to move out of his house into an apartment and couldn't take his dog with him so we kept Bubba (the dog) for about a year at our house.
I know it tore my brother up because he loves that dog but they got to see each other whenever he came to town so it wasn't toooooo bad.

Bubba did great with us and loved to crash out next to Kat. He was even alright after one of their visits with settling right back in with us....it was like he knew my brother would come back and get him one day but for now he was enjoying the ac with us.
When the day finally came though that my brother could have Bubba back there was all kinds of excite for both him and the dog. Bubba still loved him as much as ever and barely even noticed leaving us lol.

I would definitely say it's better if you can put him in a situation that you can visit him and stuff like that. I personally loved keeping Bubba for him if for no other reason than to see how excited he would get when my brother showed up.
Bubba loves us and enjoyed being at my house but he's my brothers dog all the way

[msvette2u]

LeeAnn, do you have another plan in place as well, such as moving your MIL to another home that permits dogs, or bringing her to your home?
IME, Alzheimer's is a very prolonged condition, sometimes lasting 4-5 + years to culimate in the death of the patient. And with all the new drugs these days, it could be up to or over 10yrs.
My grandparents are both dx'ed Alzheimer's or another degenerative brain disorder (dementia), and they're still going strong, physically.
They were moved to a long-term care facility where they are under lock and key because Grandma would just take off and leave her home, and the assisted living place they were in first.

Anyway...I wish you luck with the dogs, and hope your situation doesn't get prolonged this way, but I hope you are prepared that it could very well be a very prolonged situation.

[Mrs.K]

AbbyK9 took Yukon for a couple of weeks until hubby was able to take him home and we are very thankfull. He's had a blast at her place.

I watched a great dane for three months for a (now) friend of mine. It wasn't easy but in the end I even missed the "horse"

If you have confidence in the people you trust your dog with, it can be a great experience.

[EchoGSD]

Thanks for the support, fellow GSD lovers! It truly helps to hear about dogs who were in this boat and did well, both during the separation and after coming home. We are hopeful that the retired K9 handler can keep her for us; he is a good friend and member of my training club. Echo has visited with he and his French Briard almost every week for the past 2 years (classes, club events, social gatherings, picnics, camping, etc). She is comfortable with him, and the two dogs get along very very well. We would be able to visit frequently, which will help all of us.
As for Mom, right now we are in the "observe and recommend" stage of the game. She is still living alone, but we find outdated food and expired medications on her shelves. Her bills are now being paid by my sister-in-law, because Mom would put them in a drawer and forget they were there. She has an attendant who comes for the day 2-3 times per week and takes her to appointments and social events (Mom hasn't had her license for 3 years now). We have Mom on a waiting list for a senior care center, when the time comes we will either transition her to the center or perhaps she will come to live with us or one of her other adult children. We are hoping for the best!
Thanks again for the encouragement -- you guys are the best!

[jprice103]

I wish I lived closer....I'd love to be her temporary home!

[msvette2u]

That's good on all counts...I'm so sorry you're having to go through this but it has it's rewards and thank you for stepping up for your mom. It's so sad when people don't have family to help them but even worse when there's family but they won't help.
Good luck...I'm sure your dogs will be fine. I had to leave a Springer when I was a teen, for three months in Oregon while we were in Alaska. She remembered me fine and did wonderful while we were away. Dogs tend to live "in the moment", so it's not like they "miss" us for very long if the setting's terrific where they are, and it sounds like your girl's will be!

Originally Posted by EchoGSD

Thanks for the support, fellow GSD lovers! It truly helps to hear about dogs who were in this boat and did well, both during the separation and after coming home. We are hopeful that the retired K9 handler can keep her for us; he is a good friend and member of my training club. Echo has visited with he and his French Briard almost every week for the past 2 years (classes, club events, social gatherings, picnics, camping, etc). She is comfortable with him, and the two dogs get along very very well. We would be able to visit frequently, which will help all of us.
As for Mom, right now we are in the "observe and recommend" stage of the game. She is still living alone, but we find outdated food and expired medications on her shelves. Her bills are now being paid by my sister-in-law, because Mom would put them in a drawer and forget they were there. She has an attendant who comes for the day 2-3 times per week and takes her to appointments and social events (Mom hasn't had her license for 3 years now). We have Mom on a waiting list for a senior care center, when the time comes we will either transition her to the center or perhaps she will come to live with us or one of her other adult children. We are hoping for the best!
Thanks again for the encouragement -- you guys are the best!