Please Tell Me Your Thoughts About This.

[lolitasteward]

Long story short.
5 years ago, when I was still in high school, I found a stray female puppy I fell in love with. I cared for her daily for nearly a year until she was simply too big to be kept in an apartment. My parents had been divorced for some time and I lived with my mom. My dad has always been richer than my mom and he owns a few big lands here and there, so my mom left my dog to my dad to keep her in a big garden with someone to feed her. And from a warm house where she had me to play and sleep with, she was tossed back into the rain and cold. My dad doesn't really care about animals and believes animals are not so important to be cared for as long as they have something to eat. My dog got pregnant 5 times and lost most of her puppies in various episodes. She got moody and aggressive to the point of killing one of her own puppies. I mean, to the point of beating her pup to death. My dad is religious and he thought God wouldn't forgive him if he sanatised my dog. I was busy with school. I was miles away from her. I was a teenage girl entering into adulthood. I know all these don't prove it wasn't my fault, but finally after I settled in college I managed to convince my dad to sanatise the poor dog. And now, she's a healthy sensible dog. And she's as strong and playful as she used to be when she was only a year old. But what tortures me is that she's still treated in an inhumane way. My dad simply doesn't care if she has enough water to drink. She's tied to a tree all day long. I've recently applied for a university degree in Italy. I don't have much money and I'm still looking for a better job. But %80 of my efforts is fueled by the thought that some day I'll get to live with my dog. I'm always afraid that it might be too late. Or maybe she won't be happy in a little garden in Rome while she's been living in a big land for years. I can barely think right now. I'm so anxious and tired.

[rowanwitch]

She'll be happy anywhere she is loved and cared for, if she doesn't have much space you will have to take her for longer walks but neutering is essential. If you can't care for her give her up to a shelter . Sorry to say this but your dad is a cruel, ignorant person who shouldn't be allowed anywhere near any animal. I'd report him for animal cruelty

[lolitasteward]

Rowanwitch/ She's already neutered. And I've searched for dog walkers in Rome in case I might be away for work and won't have time to take her for long walks. And yes, my dad is extremely cruel. Sometimes it's hard for me to believe I'm his daughter.

[lolitasteward]

And I meant to type "Spay" instead of "Sanitise" lol My keyboard plays tricks on me sometimes

[Ken4155]

I'm guessing that dad took the dog on very reluctantly - "My dad doesn't really care about animals.." - so i have to ask, what did you and your mum expect to happen with the dog under his care?
You are the one who took the stray pup in. Did you not stop to think that it would grow in size? The dog is your responsibility and it should be you who decides what to do from hereon in. As has been suggested, find the dog a new home where she will be properly cared for and loved.
And the next time you come across a cute little stray, stop and think.

[lolitasteward]

Ken4155/ I was 16, when I found her. I'm now 22. What do you expect from a teenager? To think like an adult? I'm going to Rome anyway. I'll take her with me. Giving her to strangers will only increase her emotional trauma.

[Ken4155]

And i sincerely hope you and your dog are very happy in Rome.

[pastafreak]

Why do I have a feeling of deja vu when reading this?

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Pastafreak - I felt the same (that we'd had an earlier, similarly tragic/sad story...)

[ladybirder]

We have, practically the same wording but under another name. Some time back. Best ignored as surely can no longer be relevant?

[pastafreak]

My thoughts exactly. Not *that* long ago...

[lolitasteward]

Kne4155/ Thank you. I really hope so.

And to all who have a feeling of deja vu while reading this story, I must confess that I once posted a similar story about my dog on this platform, but that was before she was neutered and she was really aggressive then. And also, I was quite unsure about my future and how I was supposed to move to Italy. But things are settling down as time passes.

[Redhelen72]

Pasta then I am getting that feeling too

[Prudie]

I also remember it from before. I also recall I think I said (or at least thought) you can't know much about Rome if you think a student is going to live in a nice little house with a garden.

If you are real and really care find the dog a loving home in the States.

[lolitasteward]

Please read my last post which is first addressed to Ken4155 and then to all of you.
I don't think you know much about Rome either. Just have a look at houses for rent in websites like Idealista and you'll find pretty houses with a little garden with a rental fee from €200 (sometimes even less than that) to €300 a month. UK is a totally different country from the rest of the world.

[Prudie]

I have just looked at idealista for Rome and there is nothing under 300 euros and what there is are studio apartments and they are not in the city of Rome. Whatever you seem to be single minded on what you're doing. I won't ask if you can afford to fly the dog over.

[lolitasteward]

Prudie/ Posts on Idealista come and go and I can afford up to 500 euros a month. But you're always looking for an excuse to call me ignorant. Never mind.

[anneasquith]

You are an adult and aware the dog is being mistreated. Your responsibility to inform the authorities. I’d report you all .

[Prudie]

I have not called you ignorant nor looked for an excuse to do so. I actually agree completely with anne on this subject, you also have allowed this situation with the dog to go on for years..

[pastafreak]

I'd be more worried about the effect moving to a small...and it will be small...flat in a city, will have on your dog.
Is this really best thing for your dog?

[douglas9401]

I had a dog when I lived in Italy, it was a Ciao.