I cannot stand our gentle labrador retriever

[Anonymous]

I feel bad for your poor sweet dog. It's fur on the floor, not dog poop. It's not like she can stop herself from shedding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does your DH incorporate doing fun things with her and the dog while he is in town? Going on walks together, go to park, pick out a toy, facetime with her and the dog. If the dog is his pet and he likes the dog, maybe she can use it as more of a bond to him.

OP here. No, not really. No facetime at all, no activities together with the dog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for your poor sweet dog. It's fur on the floor, not dog poop. It's not like she can stop herself from shedding.

OP here. I feel bad for the dog, too. But I cannot force myself to bond with her. I am just not a dog person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the replies.

Regarding the age of the dog, I am not sure as she is a rescue dog. She must be around 9 or 10.

Putting her in doggy day care would not help at all. She doesn't cause me any problem or take up much time at all. She just lies at my feet all day long. I work from home. I just cannot stand the hair.

A doggy day care would be too frightening for her, too. She is very shy.

My husband works very long hours at a hospital and would not be able to take care of the dog.

I would never put her in a shelter, that would be too cruel. She would not deserve that.

Then hire a dog walker/dog sitter who would be willing to sit for the dog at their place. That would give you a break from all the dog duty and the fur.

[Anonymous]

Buy a roomba. Or a neato. Call it a day. No more hair to deal with. There's a very simple solution for your "issue" with the hair.

To everyone saying get rid of the dog, I hope when you're old and a burden on your kids, they get rid of you. You're terrible, terrible people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Buy a roomba. Or a neato. Call it a day. No more hair to deal with. There's a very simple solution for your "issue" with the hair.

To everyone saying get rid of the dog, I hope when you're old and a burden on your kids, they get rid of you. You're terrible, terrible people.

+1

[Anonymous]

You are a horrible person. Dog hair grosses you out so you want to give up your lab? UGH

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are a horrible person. Dog hair grosses you out so you want to give up your lab? UGH

OP here. Look, I am not looking for any credit, but I have nevertheless been taking care of this dog for the past eight years, even though I didn't want or like dogs. It was my mistake that I gave in to my husband's wishes.

Thanks for the roomba recommendation.

[Anonymous]

Also, OP, do you get your dog groomed very often? It can help with the shedding. And does the dog have the run of your place? Maybe you can have a dog-free room - your office or bedroom - where you can minimize the hair.

[Anonymous]

Also try an air purifier, perhaps one with a filter you can vacuum. That may reduce the hair as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for your poor sweet dog. It's fur on the floor, not dog poop. It's not like she can stop herself from shedding.

OP here. I feel bad for the dog, too. But I cannot force myself to bond with her. I am just not a dog person.

So then just deal with her. She sounds like a wonderful dog who doesn't need you to bond with her. Just do what is required, and appreciate how easy she is. When she dies, in 3 or 4 or 8 years, you and your husband can have a more serious conversation about whether to adopt another dog.

You don't have to make this into a struggle. I'm sorry that you don't love her - I am absolutely nuts about animals, and I really can't imagine not feeling that way. But so be it! There's nothing to do, except keep on going. She's not hurting anyone. She's just not your favorite.

If you want to engage more, see if there are things you can do together that you'll both enjoy. Hikes, or whatever.

[Anonymous]

Do you have a neighborhood listserv, or a way to privately advertise that you'd like to rehome the dog? It sounds like you should try to find another family to take her in and you may be able to. The situation doesn't sound good and she could live for several more years.

What does your husband suggest? Have you discussed this with him?

[Anonymous]

Why are some of you recommending that a 9-10 year old dog be rehomed? I'm just as heartbroken as the rest of you that he doesn't have a supportive family and is by OP's own admission a perfect dog. I assume he has a decent quality of life if no love. It seems like rehoming would be really stressful on the poor guy.

[Anonymous]

You're a dick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are some of you recommending that a 9-10 year old dog be rehomed? I'm just as heartbroken as the rest of you that he doesn't have a supportive family and is by OP's own admission a perfect dog. I assume he has a decent quality of life if no love. It seems like rehoming would be really stressful on the poor guy.

I'm 17:20. By her admission she "cannot stand" the dog. The dog sounds like he gets little to no affection and I would imagine is aware that those around him don't care for him. While I agree it would be stressful to be rehomed being in a home where he is loved might mitigate that.

I agree the age is a barrier but some people want older dogs and this one sounds lovely.