Very, very stressful situation

[Sheenar]

I cannot go into much detail, due to the fact that this is a publically-viewable area, but the gist is that I am in a really stressful situation with my trainer (the one who was training Handsome, but then handed him off for me to train myself.)
It's something that needs to be resolved in the next few days, but I have not been able to get in touch with her.
I may have to place Handsome as a pet if things don't resolve.

It's a very upsetting situation. I have a paper due today and haven't been able to focus this morning because of it.

Please pray.

[Atria35]

Praying!

[Kunoichi]

Praying xx

[Yuki-Anne]

Praying

[RefractedAhav]

not sure what you where training handsome as, but I'll pray as well

[Sheenar]

Handsome is/was in training as my service dog after my first SD retired in April.
If my trainer isn't able to take him back to her house and finish his training (as we originally agreed upon before I even purchased him from the breeder), then I will have to place him as a pet. I wasn't even supposed to be the one responsible for training him and I cannot handle it --I gave it a good try over the course of a few months and it just isn't working out.

So, I will hopefully hear back within a few days. I do have a good home for him lined up if my trainer isn't able to continue with his training.

If that happens, I plan to use the money from student loans that I saved up (and planned to use to pay my trainer for training Handsome) to return to the service dog program that I received my first service dog from. I will receive a dog already fully trained that way (they are an excellent program) instead of a half-puppy who hasn't been properly socialized like Handsome (who spent his first year of life never venturing outside his breeder's kennel.)

[Sheenar]

After some consultation with other trainers (and after Handsome's VERY concerning behavior tonight at a Christmas party --had to leave him in my car), I have made the decision to officially wash Handsome as a SD prospect.
I took a gamble and I lost. Now it's time to pick up the pieces and move on. I can't keep waiting around for a trainer who may/may not get back to me anytime soon (found out she has postpartum depression.)

I am currently looking for a suitable placement for Handsome with his sound reactivity/sensitivity and his separation anxiety. These are issues that have gotten worse over time and have not improved even with training/attempts at desensitization. I have one person interested in adopting him (that I mentioned previously) --just need to find out if her household is a good match for Handsome's needs. There is also a rescue that is at my local Petsmart every Sunday --I'm going to talk to them and see if they can help find a foster home/placement for him (no small children.)

I am now back to where I was in February of this year (back when Pebbles' retirement was coming and I knew it --and was trying to find a successor dog.) I plan to do as originally planned (before Handsome came along) and apply for a successor through the program I received Pebbles from.

[Lynna]

I'll Pray that things go well and you'll find a good home for him

[Radical Dreamer]

Aw, I'm sorry to hear that Handsome didn't work out as a service dog! Definitely praying that you can get a good dog from your old program, and that the process will move quickly and smoothly!

[Tsukuyomi]

Praying that all works out

[GeneD]

I pray that you find a new fully trained dog that will meet your needs perfectly and that Handsome will find a good new home. Good luck!

[Sheenar]

I have good news! I visited my local Petsmart today to talk to the local rescue group that is there on the weekends and they have agreed to help me place Handsome in suitable home!

I will keep him as a foster (signed a foster agreement) and meet them at Petsmart again this Saturday to have his photo taken --and they will put the word out about him and screen applicants/interested persons. They will make sure he goes to a home where he will not be babyed (sp?), but where he will have the structure and continued training he needs.

This is so an answer to prayer! And a huge stress load off my back.

[Atria35]

wOOt! That's great to hear!

[RefractedAhav]

awesome!

[Sheenar]

I came home to a very, very horrid evening. Handsome was involved. His separation anxiety was so bad today that he bent the side of his crate to get out and tore up a bunch of stuff, including the power cord for my netbook and my air purifier (that thing is beyond repair.) My Excel project that's due this week was on my netbook. Not to mention the fact that it is Finals week.

Had to make a trip to buy a new power cord ($64) and get a strong locking cable for his crate.
I'd like to see him try to get out now (not really, I would like for the crate not to be bent anymore --I need it.) I also really don't want this dog to hurt himself.

He destroyed over $100 worth of stuff --my netbook power cord, my air purifier, the cord for my speakers for my netbook --he ripped open a package I had gotten in the mail (but didn't damage the product I ordered, thankfully.
I still have a HUGE mess to go clean up in my bedroom. I'm afraid to leave him alone again tomorrow (I have work and 1 more final) --I'm hoping this bike lock will keep him in his crate (and keep him from busting out.)

I really, really don't see how I'm going to make it emotionally/mentally until this dog finds a home. And my trainer is still MIA --so I'm left dealing with all this by myself.

I'm starting to wish I had never met this dog in the first place. It's not his fault. I'm just not handling his noise sensitivity and separation anxiety well --it's really more than I can deal with. I'm really looking forward to him finding a new home (with people who can handle this stuff emotionally and mentally) so I can move on with my life.

Please continue praying. My stress levels are very, very high. And I'm concerned about Handsome's adoptability with his separation anxiety being this bad. (Bad enough that he slammed into his metal crate hard enough to bend the side so he could get out.)

[Sheenar]

My anxiety levels have been through the roof since last night. I had a pretty sleepless night.
I am boarding Handsome today through Friday so that I can focus on my last final and the papers I have to do (and so I can get a break from him for a couple of days.)

[Sheenar]

Took Handsome to the adoption event at Petsmart. My contact with the rescue said that she would foster him herself and make sure he goes to just the right home (the rescue is charging a $300 adoption fee for him to weed out the people who can't afford to keep up with his grooming/training/food.) So I left his bed, his food, his toys, etc. with her.

Leaving him there was a LOT harder than I thought it would be. I thought it would be a relief --and it is --but I'm feeling a lot of mixed emotions right now. I sat down on the floor with him and told him goodbye --very tearfully, I may add.

This is for the best. Doing the right thing is not always easy.

[Atria35]

Praying he gets a good home and nice family to love and train him.

[ABlipinTime]

Don't worry. It's all in God's hands.