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Rehoming, take your pick!

5.8K views 32 replies 11 participants last post by  Jchrest  
#1 · (Edited)
Looking to rehome;
1 senior female GSD, male aggressive, largely overweight, barks her head off at every new noise, but has recently been spayed.
1 intact male husky/GSD, about 2yrs old, escape artist, no off switch, but finally doesn’t smell like swamp butt anymore. Prone to an excessive amount of ear infections. Also looks like he is starved because he never eats enough for the nonstop activity he does.
1 intact female black GSD, 5 months old. Already broke her jaw at 9 weeks, is the most vocal dog I’ve ever owned, and likes to swim just so she can jump straight from the pool onto your lap, without shaking off. Oh, and is constantly trash surfing.

OR

1 41yr old female. 4’11, 90lbs soaking wet, wakes up and drinks a fifth of fireball before leaving bed. No children living with her, she abandoned them all so she could drink herself to death, and is the main “caretaker” for our witch of a mother.

So I’m in CA, and mom wouldn’t let my sister go to Oregon with her, because my sister was sloshed by the time my mom was ready to leave. I brought the kids, dogs, and snakes. I’m not a novice dog owner, or a novice GSD owner, so I brought crates, even for Lyka. Everyone has done their business for the night, and I crated all 3 dogs in the dining room. I’m laying in bed trying to fall asleep, and my **** thighs are screaming in pain because I haven’t ridden in too long, and rode most of the day today. Alllllllmost asleep, and I hear Seiran start crying like crazy. Flashback to the day she broke her jaw, because it was the same sound. I jump out of bed in a tank and panties, rush into the dining room, and my sister and 5 guys are on the ground trying to catch Seiran, and Lyka is cowering in the corner.

My sister was, of course, drunk out of her mind, as were the idiots with her. Apparently they all decided it was a great idea to let Lyka and Seiran out of their crates so they didn’t start barking and wake me. My sister KNOWS I crate and rotate. She knows why. Well she decided that I’m just being overly cautious. Lyka was already scared, and the guys managed to back her into a corner. Seiran thought they were playing a great game, and bounded over to Lyka, jumped on her, and Lyka attacked.

Seiran now has a deep cut on the side of her muzzle, swollen to almost twice the size, and a bloody nose. Put a call into the after hours vet, and they said if she opening and closing her mouth, and can breath through her nose and mouth, she should be fine overnight, and try to put a cold pack on her swollen muzzle.

I’m so beyond furious with my sister, with Lyka (even though I know she reacted out of fear), and at myself. I should have had their crates in the room with me, but the room was too small to fit them all, and Crios howls if he’s left alone if the other dogs are in with me.

My stress levels are through the roof (due to other personal issues I’m going through), and I’m trying not to kill my sister. This last incident, following Seiran’s broken jaw, and Lyka’s recent surgery, may be the straw that broke the camels back.

So please have pity, mercy, whatever you want to call it, and either adopt my rotten dogs, or my POS drunken poor excuse for a human being sister.

Or any advice on how to make Seiran comfortable overnight would be amazing too. I moved her crate onto my bed, but she keeps whimpering.
 
#2 ·
Well! Are you having fun yet? Sorry no room for dogs and drunks just do nothing for me. I'm sure your baby girl is just scared more then anything. I agree with the ice pack. Hopefully it isn't as bad as it looks to your tired, angry, freaked out self.
I do have a couple pairs of handcuffs if it would help.
 
#8 ·
She’s doing okay, seems to have settled for the night. Her muzzle is a lot more swollen than it initially is. Debating whether to drive back to AZ early and see her regular vet, or call my equine vet in CA and have him check her in the morning. It just looks like regular localized swelling, she’s breathing just fine through her nose now that it’s stopped bleeding.

eBay is far too classy for my sister. I’m thinking more along the lines of craigslist.
 
#9 ·
Oh brother what a mess. Your beginning started out at what seemed like it was a funny. I’m really sorry and know what I would want to do with those hand cuffs. It just seems like you went from the pan into the fire.

I hope she is feeling better and take care of yourself and your dogs how ever you have to. Personally, I would leave but that’s me. Tons of thoughts for all of you.
 
#10 ·
I’m about 2 hours from home at a rest stop for potty time. I packed everyone up and left last night. My sister kept coming in crying and wanting to check on Seiran, then passed out on the foot of my bed. I was to tempted to do mean things to her.

Kid slept through the transfer, and Seiran’s swelling seems to have gone down some. I’ll hit town about the time the vet opens, so I’ll drop the kids and dogs off at home, and take Seiran to the vets. Not looking forward to a lecture I’ll get about my senior and puppy being together, and no desire to try to explain to the vet. But if I want to look on the bright side, I’m saving a ton of money returning the rental van 4 days early!

This is the best I can do picture wise. She won’t stay still and doesn’t want me anywhere near her muzzle.
 

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#19 ·
Jchrest, I'm really, really sorry.
As a adult child of an alcoholic Dad (he died 21 years sober) and 2 insane and addicted sisters, I made the best decision I could make over 5 years ago when Mom died..

No sisters for me.

Mom died, they have my only family pictures, and last time I saw them was at Mom's funeral. We were a family, not a blended family, just a dysfunctional one.

Removing myself from their lives, saved me. I managed to get Dad into recovery, he worked on helping us build a very good drug and alcohol recovery program, and eventually I decided I was done with dealing with drunks professionally and went back to nursing Veterans. Dad died in 2005 of Alzheimers. I, the NURSE wasn't allowed to go to his funeral, because as a geriatric nurse, I took exception to it taking him 11 days to die. No one should die of parotid gland abscesses feverish and with pneumonia, but staying alive because my mother wouldn't allow him to die. The poor man, what a horrible death.

My husband is sober. I don't drink and I don't tolerate people who do.

We built our farm, put an electric fence around it, and allow who we want in our lives, our horses, our dogs, our geese and chickens and the sisters can make themselves nuts together, I'm out.
Sometimes, you have to do what's best for your family, winged, four legged or adult. My family stopped making good decisions, so I stopped being their sister.
Life is peaceful. They know I will always love them, but I will not tolerate unacceptable behavior. Nor should you, or anyone.

A sister still in her addiction will always make bad choices, good you left. I know it sucks, I lived it for about 40
of my 55 years.
 
#13 ·
Yes, it was her lower jaw that was broken. Just got Seiran back in my arms from the vet, and we got the all clear. Said the swelling should go down in the next two-three days. Did a panel of x-rays, nothing broken or moved out of place. Thank heavens!

And a rehoming fee won’t work. I’ll have to pay someone to take that train wreck! I wouldn’t have even gone at all had I known she would be there.
 
#17 ·
I co-own the property with my mother via my grandfathers will. When my mother passes, the property will be fully mine, there is a stipulation in the will that my mother cannot will her portion to another family member. And I will file for legal eviction on my sister.

My mother needs full time care, because she refuses to do anything herself. She’s physically capable, but believes that we should all bow to her and wait on her hand and foot in her old age. We have never had a good relationship, so I tried my hardest for 6 months to live there full time and care for my mother. When I realized I was getting physically ill from all the stress and ridiculous demands she would put on me, my dogs, and my children, I moved out, and the sister moved in.

I have a keeper hired that works on the property and handles the animals while I am gone. My sister and mother were both supposed to be gone, so I wanted to take the kids and do some riding, the kids love gathering the chicken eggs, and it’s actually incredibly peaceful and quiet when they are gone.

So a weird situation I avoid like the plague. No one thought it would be wise to call or text and let me know my sister was actually there.
 
#16 ·
Been there, done that. Actually paid for her rehab 3 times before I stepped away. Social services has been called regarding elder abuse via neglect of my mother as well, and my sister is just really really good at looking innocent, and plays the victim role well. I wasn’t the one that called for the elder abuse though, no one in the family wants to step forward because it was unsuccessful.

But yay, Seiran is okay, and now I can get some sleep, tune out those family issues that I’ve avoided for years, and not go back to the property until they are both gone. My one good sister said I could use her RV any time I need a break, so maybe after sleeping for a few hours, we will head that way. It’s only 2-3hrs there depending on traffic.
 
#18 ·
I don't know how long you were there, but I am surprised that you stayed however long it was. Given the little you have said about the fun family, it is only to be expected that they did not let you know they had aborted the trip they were going to take. Of course.



From up here far away from the situation, I would be tempted to look into surveillance devices in an effort to have your sister removed from the property and maybe something done about your mother. On the other hand, it sounds a bit like your sister and mother are a good pair.


Glad you are gone!
 
#20 ·
Both my parents were alcoholics, including my step parents. All my siblings have taken to it, in conjecture with drugs for some of them.

I did years of Alanon meetings, and still attend to this day when they leak back into my life. I stopped being their life rafts years ago. Just focus on me and mine, and they are free to go down any road they want, as long as it doesn’t lead to my front door! I have 4 sisters and 2 brothers. When people ask how many siblings I have, I say 1 sister, because she is the only one I haven’t written out of my life. And no, NOT the same sister I dealt with yesterday!!
 
#22 ·
I don't know you, but I know what you are going through. It sucks being the responsible one in a family of people in the grips of their addiction.
We're now living the same with my husband's brother's wife--a closet drinker who just became uncloseted when she lost her job, and got a DUI driving home, as she was THAT drunk at work.
I keep telling Andre the same thing--he's not responsible for his girlfriend's sobriety. She needs to hit bottom and apparently that wasn't low enough for her. Nor is she ready to get sober, so he's truly stuck.

All I can say is I'm sorry. It's so hard.

Hugs from an anonymous Maritimer. Hope it gets easier.
 
#24 ·
Me being 16 and living with a family of aggressive alcoholics my whole life, i get it. I wish I could sell my parents on Craigslist w a free sign ? how great would that be?! Haha, & sheesh, I’m surprised you stuck out and helped her to get her in rehab, not once but 3 times. You tried, sometimes you just can’t help it though, your heart was in the right place.... to each their own.
I truly am sorry you have to go through that, no one should.. I wish you the best though
 
#26 ·
I’m so sorry you’re in a position where you are still too young to be able to completely cut them off. It’s such a cleansing feeling having that weight removed. Anytime you need to vent or need support, feel free to PM me. There are lot of us here that have gone through it, or are still dealing with it.
 
#25 ·
Thanks everyone for the support regarding dysfunctional families. I honestly had no idea my sister hadn’t left with my mom until I ran into the dining room and saw her and the guys. I thought maybe Seiran had either gotten something stuck on the wire door of her crate, or got bit by something (snakes, rodents, spiders are all commonly seen in doors, it’s in the country). So it was pretty shocking to find her there.

I did get a good laugh a few hours ago though. I got a call from the San Luis Obispo police department, regarding a claim that my dog had attacked and bitten my sister. I explained the situation and what had really happened, and he said it’s not the first time he’s had a run in with my sister calling in reports the day after a blackout bender. They sent officers to the house, and my sister didn’t have any bite marks, puncture wounds, or bruises anywhere. Nothing that pointed to a full grown GSD attacking her. The officer on the phone asked if I wanted to press any charges for a false report, and I told him it wasn’t worth my time, and that I didn’t have any plans of ever returning there as long as my sister still lived there. They said they may be pressing charges of their own, and asked if I would be willing to collaborate. I said sure, as long as I didn’t have to drive back up there to testify. So there’s that.

Seiran is doing great. She was perked up and playing and running with zoomies by late afternoon. Swelling is almost gone, and the cut is healing over nicely. I’m still grumpy, but a good nights sleep should fix that up.
 
#27 ·
They sell a package of four padlocks. Uses the same key (so you only have to have one key in your pocket/on your key ring. It makes it easier to go from one cage to the next unlocking them.

Your sister has a drinking problem and cannot be trusted with the dogs. You need to padlock the crates. No, you shouldn't have to. But don't should all over yourself. It is unhelpful. What should be and what is are two different things, and if you give up worrying about what should be, you have enough energy to manage what is.
 
#28 ·
Thanks great advice, I never considered putting padlocks on the crates. It has always been to keep them in, not to keep others out, but I can see how that would save a lot of trouble in the future if one of my girls or stepdaughters decide they want to play with Seiran and take her out of her crate. We have one upstairs and one downstairs, and one upstairs and downstairs for Crios, so it could happen again, just different circumstances and different dogs.

Lyka is not crated. She doesn’t mind crating, but she’s never needed it. I’m thinking I need to rethink that as well. She’s getting a tad grouchy as she ages, and I know that could be directed onto the children or dogs. Better safe than sorry!

Thanks, honestly, I would have never thought of padlocks!
 
#31 ·
Okay, I had to edit for cursing, but here is the post:

Handyman helper wanted (Santa margarita)
compensation: DOE

Edited:I've had a ton of responses to this ad, so let me break it down. Yes, it's real. Every word. And the need is growing. So is the mold. I have the next 4 days off work, and this will probably never happen again in the history of ever, so if you're interested, really and truly interested and not just curious, please text me at ***-***-****If you are going to complain about the weather and how dangerous it is, don't bother texting. I've been driving around in this stuff all day, and I'm still alive.

If you smoke a ton of weed, don't bother responding. I can't handle weed speed, I need the repairs done in a timely manner.

If you're a tweeker, I don't have anything to steal, and I will call the cops on you, or set my dog loose on you. Both options will end badly, and I’m not above using both options together.

If you made it this far, congratulations, see the original post below:

Looking for a handyman to HELP me with home reno. Including pulling and laying subfloors, drywall, light electrical/plumbing. Everything that needs to go is a mold factory.

Candidate must posses the following:

Thick skin. Must be able to handle large amounts of sarcasm and shenanigans.

Okay with annoying small children asking fifty zillion questions every 5 seconds, knocking your supplies over, and possibly spilling juice on you.

Okay with a surly teenager that will eye roll you to death.

Okay with a super old lady (that looks like she died, was buried in the pet cemetery and came back to life) telling you you're doing everything wrong, and trying to show you the "right" way to do it. And she smells, like really smells, and has no idea what personal space means. She will be literally in your face (and stay in your nose for a few days after). Then listen to me tell you the complete opposite. Should be a fun challenge for those who don’t like a boring work day.

Doesn't mind a crazy German Shepherd that hates men with a passion, and will bark, growl, and lunge at you. But like most females, she's all talk and no action. She won't bite (maybe).If we hit it off, I may be nice enough to lock her up so you don't soil yourself.

Must be willing to work with females. It's a house full of females (minus the teenage boy, but he hides in his room 24/7, you'll probably never catch a glimpse of him). We all think we know what we are doing. We probably don't. You'll have to break it to us gently, one of us is slightly (excessively) prone to sudden outbursts of uncontrollable sobbing.

Must be okay with alcoholics. There's only one here, but she makes up for all of us in the amount she drinks. Plus there's all that sobbing...

Pay depends on how much crap you're willing to put up with before you lose your mind. I've been here 3 months and want to throw myself off a bridge most days. Just giving you a general idea of what you're in for.

Work will be evenings/nights and weekends, because I work 10 hour days to support all these ungrateful leeches. I will be working WITH you. So don't try to take away my fun.

Having your own tools would be useful. I think I might have a pink Barbie hammer, but the kids have either buried it, the dog ate it, or it's stuck in the plumbing somewhere (Found it, used it, broke it).

If any of this sounds slightly appealing, email me your hourly rate and what actual talents you have. I’m not looking for a husband, boyfriend, or another person to mooch off me. I need actual skilled laborers that will arrive on time, leave on time, and be professional in this highly unprofessional setting.

Basic knowledge is a must, but you could probably fake more than the basics, because I won't know what you're talking about anyway. But the county will when they come to inspect, and if I don’t get tagged with the green tag, you don’t get paid with the green paper stuff people call money.
 
#32 · (Edited)
Thanks for the great writing. I want to know how the interview process went, how the hired person worked out...



What strikes me about this is how much of an incredible train wreck exists - meaning it isn't fiction but very real life. Like my recently moved neighbors, this would be too much for a soap opera script. It also brings to mind the book Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance, too.
 
#33 ·
It was in California, so people I interviewed came with bloodshot eyes, slow speech, and no prior experience. Hence the edit to the ad. And the ones that weren’t high on weed were high on meth. I FINALLY found a contractor that did neither, but cost an arm and a leg. I cut the costs by doing all the demo myself, he was able to get supplies at a discount with his contractors license. I ended up with a beautiful room, gorgeous hardwood floors, a fully renovated kitchen, and was able to enjoy them for about 3 weeks before I moved out ?‍♀.