https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 28 Jun 2026 00:24:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confessions-of-a-ftm-dog-abandoner#post-188361 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:09:51 +0000 Mrs. Lantern 188361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm really glad I read this post. DH and I were considering getting a dog and I'm currently 5 weeks pregnant. I think we'll wait until child is a little older before we do so! </p> <p>Pre-children, I think I'll still have free time once I have children. Boy am I going to be in for a surprise, LOL. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confessions-of-a-ftm-dog-abandoner#post-188331 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 15:46:06 +0000 chopsuey 188331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So sad :( I left my beloved dog in ca because I knew I wouldn't be able to give him the love he deserved. My sisters and mom shower him with love and spoil him to death. It saddens me, but I know he's happier out there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confessions-of-a-ftm-dog-abandoner#post-188304 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 15:26:33 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 188304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm right there with you!! It's totally understandable in the beginning. I have two giant breed dogs and I feel like I neglected them and end up yelling at them more than showing them affection, but it does start to get better once you get into the groove of things. I now am running or walking with my dogs a couple times a week while DH watches LO, so that we have time with just us. And when I'm running around the house at night trying to get LO ready for bed, I at least reach down, pat them and say hi to them. </p> <p>I've had to change my mindset a little bit so that I remember that: They're dogs. They will love you unconditionally. It's only a few months before things get back to the new "normal". It's an adjustment period for everyone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confessions-of-a-ftm-dog-abandoner#post-188157 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 14:00:24 +0000 BoogieBea 188157@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh I totally know how what you're going through. It's been almost 3 years since our first was born. And I'm just starting to show more affection towards our dog. He was our first baby and we gave him so so much attention before the kids were born. He was so attached to both of us, but now he's only attached to my husband. He likes to lick, so when the kids were tiny babies, I didn't him to lick me as often, I wash my hands a lot as is with the baby. And slowly, he just stopped or sometimes he would only lick my feet. It's better now that both kids are a bit older. I make sure that I give him tummy rubs especially when the kids are in the room too so he doesn't think that kids=no attention for him. He's always been super gentle with the kids which I'm really thankful for. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confessions-of-a-ftm-dog-abandoner#post-188132 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 13:40:59 +0000 BananaPancakes 188132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't worry, I haven't even seen my dogs in 2 months. They went to stay with my MIL when I went into the hospital and we've yet to go get them. Oh well, at least I know they're having fun since she has a pool and 5 acres to run. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confessions-of-a-ftm-dog-abandoner#post-188129 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 13:36:05 +0000 Minnie_Girl 188129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That stinks! I can't relate, but reading this further reinforces my desire to never have a dog. :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confessions-of-a-ftm-dog-abandoner#post-188117 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 13:29:15 +0000 MsMini 188117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I make a conscious effort to make sure my dog gets as much attention as before, even with Sawyer here. When I am BFing, I will call Charlie (our dog) over and pet him, and he is still allowed up on the bed to snuggle at bedtime (even is Sawyer is cuddling we just make sure that Charlie is careful around him). Me and DH relieve each other to make sure that Charlie gets the attention and playtime he needs, and we work walks in as a family to get Sawyer out of the house as well.</p> <p>He is a Newfoundland dog though, so quite low energy and good with Sawyer, he is also very quiet and only barks in the house very occasionally, and Sawyer doesn't mind the barking so that isn't an issue for us.</p> <p>We did have a plan prior to Sawyer being born to manage the baby and dog, so maybe thats why the transition has gone easier. Although, Charlie is pouty that Sawyer gets more attention than he does, it is no less attention that he got before Sawyer was born. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confessions-of-a-ftm-dog-abandoner#post-188092 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 13:15:51 +0000 LAGS 188092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry you're feeling this way. I think @purrpletulips: has a great idea to have your DH take LO so you can give some TLC to your dog. Sometimes I'll have DH watch LO and I'll take the dog for a walk just the two of us, like old times. I don't know if she appreciates the one on one time, but it at least makes me feel a little less guilty about choosing baby over her every other time of the day.</p> <p>Otherwise, our dog is a total couch potato all day so she's not missing out on any play/attention time. That said, she recently sprained her paw and elbow and was totally down and out for a while. I felt so guilty because I found myself actually getting frustrated with her when she would be difficult and spit out her pills, refuse her food or just be generally needy. It was like caring for two fussy babies for a few days which had me totally strung out. Don't get me wrong, I was beside myself because she was hurt, but I feel like such an ass for not having more patience for her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confessions-of-a-ftm-dog-abandoner#post-188076 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 13:05:25 +0000 jennylynn 188076@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can totally relate. :( I'm trying to work on giving her more attention but it's tough. *Hugs* </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confessions-of-a-ftm-dog-abandoner#post-188075 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:58:34 +0000 mrs. wagon 188075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You are definitely not alone!! This is actually why we got a second dog (they keep each other company). We are super strict with them so when the baby came, they basically stay in the kitchen all day unless both of us are home. They are walked first thing in the morning (before getting Wagon Jr. from his crib), right after Wagon Jr. goes to bed, and before we go to bed. And after Wagon Jr. goes to bed, it's puppy time. Even then we still don't pay as much attention to them as we did before. But we try to take them to the park as much as possible (sometimes Wagon Sr. takes the two dogs and Wagon Jr. all by himself) and we let them sleep in our bed several times a week to get enough snuggle time in. THey are definitely needier, but if we're going to be a family with dogs, our dogs (present and future) need to know how things work in our house. </p> <p>We have two small dogs, but when we have big dogs in the future, we'll hire a dogwalker to come once a day for at least one good chunk of exercise and attention every day. That's just one of the things you gotta do as a dog parent. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confessions-of-a-ftm-dog-abandoner#post-188068 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:49:28 +0000 heffalump 188068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know what I would do without my mom's help with our dog. Of course when LO came we also didn't have time for him. My mom would come over a lot (and still does) to take him on walks and to the dog park. Then by the time he got home he'd be too tired to care if we were spending time with him, he just wanted to nap! Do you have anyone who can help? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confessions-of-a-ftm-dog-abandoner#post-188067 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:48:27 +0000 regberadaisy 188067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sloaneandpuffy: I'm SO sorry!!!!<br /> But yes, when my husband came home from the vet and told me what the doc said about the bump on her leg that's what I thought of. Which is why I'm seriously re-evaluating my actions and making more of an effort to kiss and love her. Although still not as much as before.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confessions-of-a-ftm-dog-abandoner#post-188065 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:44:53 +0000 mamimami 188065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can definitely relate and not to make you feel worse but our fairly healthy doggie passed away suddenly when my baby was 8 months old. I still feel guilty for not loving on her as much as before, and I still feel guilty that maybe she felt like we didn't want her anymore. Take a few minutes to pet your doggy while you're reading or watching TV. I did this the day before my dog died and it's one of the only things that makes me feel slightly at peace. </p> <p>Sorry for this huge downer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confessions-of-a-ftm-dog-abandoner#post-188060 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:39:49 +0000 purrpletulips 188060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our dog has been great with DD since she was born, but that is in part a trait of the breed (newfoundland). I did find that she was very needy when we first brought DD home but tried to offer her some attention whenever I could. If DD was napping in my arms I'd try to reach down and pet her head a few times (and also give more treats). We tried to work daily walks with our dog and baby into our "routine" as much as possible although it wasn't as much as before DD's arrival; prior to DD's arrival our dog got two walks a day but we usually fit one in a day after DD. </p> <p>Perhaps you should suggest that instead of giving you grief, DH could relieve you of LO so that you and your dog can reconnect? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confessions-of-a-ftm-dog-abandoner#post-188030 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:18:37 +0000 Sammyfab 188030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can totally commiserate! Our dog has been soooo needy since lonwas born and he has started barking and growling at the most random things whereas he never did that before. I am constantly losing my patience with him and I feel bad for not giving him as much attention!</p> <p>I am most looking forward to when LO is older and more mobile and maybe him and our dog can entertain each other. DH and I are expecting some good laughs when that time (hopefully) comes around! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confessions-of-a-ftm-dog-abandoner#post-188021 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:14:27 +0000 regberadaisy 188021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ladies, I have a horrible confession to make.</p> <p>I've been a bad doggie parent since LO's arrival. Ever since we brought her home I have seriously neglected our pup. I hardly give her any attention or love. I'm always on her case about her barking. In truth for as rough of a dog as she is she has been amazing with our LO. I know she is genuinely concerned about the well being of LO. </p> <p>But it's hard not to get frustrated with her when I've spent 2hrs + trying to console a fussy baby to finally get her to fall asleep. Then our pup decides then she will bark at absolutely nothing. Causing LO to jump in her sleep and wake up crying.</p> <p>My days are spent holding LO, getting her to nap. And when that's not the case scarfing down a meal and doing chores around the house.</p> <p>My husband is on MY case because I'm not showing our pup as much love as before. And I know that IS the case and I'm guilty. But honestly...I feel so tired I can't be bothered most times. </p> <p>I know it's wrong!!!</p> <p>But I get so irritated that instead of relieving ME from LO my husband spends his few minutes of free time playing with our pup and showing her love. In the mornings when I'm dead tired and just want to go back to sleep instead of taking LO for me he snuggles with the dog.</p> <p>I feel so bad and know I should show our pup more love. This is not at all how I envisioned myself being towards our pup after LO arrives. But honestly what free time I do have I want to spend showing our LO love.</p> <p>Don't get me wrong I will never get rid of our pup. I still love her dearly. She has a bump on her hind leg that we'll be paying for the vet to get rid of and test to see if it's cancerous. I didn't blink an eye or hesitate at all to spend the money even though money is super tight right now.</p> <p>I know our pup sees the difference in how I'm treating her because she hardly ever comes lay on the couch with me anymore. Before she would always hop up to lay with me during the day.</p> <p>Anyone else with pups can commiserate? </p>