Is there anything I can do?

[Courtney]

Hi all. As you may know, my mom has a black Lab X that we adopted in October 2005. Four months ago, my dad got pneumonia, got well and went on with his life. He's now sick again, and my mom is convinced that Taz is to blame and that she needs to go. I'm violently opposed to the idea because:

a) I'm pretty sure dad's recurring cold is due to the fact his job is very stressful and he never allows himself time to recover. The last time he was sick, he didn't miss a day of work. This time, he's refusing medicine and working twice as hard as normal.

b) Taz is completely and utterly attached to my mother. When mom goes away for a weekend, Taz pines and goes off her food. I can't even imagine what would happen if mom gave her away and Taz went on a hunger strike. She's the type of dog that will not eat anything when mom is gone. She's just that attached.

Is there anything I can do to help prove that Taz isn't the problem? I find it hard to believe that a dog we've had for over 3 years is suddenly the cause of allergies, even though I suppose it's possible. I have a feeling that mom is simply tired of owning a dog and this is a handy excuse. It's not fair to Taz, and I'm willing to do what it takes to make sure she gets to stay. I'll even buy the dog off my mother, just so she can't give her away. She's definitely not what I would choose for my own dog, but I'm willing to put my own dream dog on hold so she gets to stay with a family she grew up with and knows.

We don't bathe her regularly because the vet said frequent bathing would just dry her skin out and cause more in the way of dander. We brush her every day, sometimes twice a day when she's shedding. We feed her a good food, although we have to switch it up each time we buy a new bag because she gets bored. She's currently eating a mix of CSFTDLS and Orijen. What else can I do?

 

[Jeanette]

On what basis is she forming her opinion that the dog is to blame?
Is she just making up excuses to get rid of the dog?

To me, that sounds really horrible. But you can only control other peoples' actions to a certain degree. Is there any way that you could keep the dog away from your dad? Does he believe that Taz is to blame? It doesn't sound to me like she (or your dad) is being very rational. Sorry. Hope you don't think I'm being too opinionated. It's just that it frustrates me when people won't help themselves (like not taking medication and refusing to let themselves heal) and then blaming their problems on others (including animals).

 

[Courtney]

My dad, for as much as he claims to dislike the dog, was the first to tell mom to calm down and think about what she was saying. Growing up, he never had pets indoors and he's still trying to adjust to having them. He believes that all animals should be given respect, and he never wants to see an animal suffer. He keeps telling her it's just a cold that needs to run it's course, and she's just being very quick to jump to conclusions. My dad usually doesn't take medication unless he's very ill, and he's had very few illnesses in his life. He's just getting tired and his immune system is taking a beating due to his high-stress job. He runs the Edmonton branch of a multi-million dollar company, and it's a big drain to have to monitor 17 trucks, equal drivers and also negotiate a bunch of new contracts and branches. He knows he's run down, but he's a workaholic and he loves his job.

We try to keep Taz away from dad, but he always calls her over because he enjoys watching her do her tricks and he loves teaching her new ones. As much as he denies it, he loves the dog. He brags about her to his friends and always has her doing her tricks when his friends are over. He doesn't believe at all that the dog is to blame, and I believe that he would put his foot down if mom tried to give her away.

I'm just unsure of what I can do to convince mom to step back and think of what she could be potentially doing to Taz. I know the dog, and I know just how bonded Taz is to mom. I firmly believe that Taz would starve to death if mom gave her away because she just wouldn't eat.

 

[addictedtochins]

Maybe get one of those Honeywell room air cleaners with a Hepa filter, it helps with allergies, dust and dander in the air. Get one big enough for the room size. They do work.

 

[Ash]

First off, is she blaming Taz for the original Pneumonia as well? That's not something the dog could give, as far as I know. If anyone knows information to negate this, then please do so...

But it sounds like it's "sick" and not allergies. Also, it's that time of year for allergies, at least down here in PA it is. I dunno about up in Canada. But with the way the weather's warm then cold, things are pollinating earlier than normal, then going back etc etc etc. It's just that time of year.

However, if it's something that's actually caused by a virus/germs/etc, that's something he's picking up on the job and when he's out and about, not from the dog.

 

[Courtney]

That's exactly what I'm thinking. He told us the other day at 5 of his employees are away sick with the same cold he has. Mom is simply looking for an excuse and hoping the rest of us won't question.

But no, she didn't blame Taz for the original illness... just this one. Dad just got over his last bout of pneumonia 4 months ago, and apparently, it's impossible to get sick so soon after unless one has allergies. It seems like a load of you-know-what to me, but whatever. I'll just do what it takes to make sure Taz gets to stay in a home she knows and feels comfortable in. Pets might be disposable to some people, but not to me.