I cannot stand our gentle labrador retriever

[Anonymous]

Eight years ago my husband insisted on getting two rescue dogs: a Labrador retriever and a German shepherd. We lived on five acres then and I didn't imagine that I would ever have to take care of them beyond vacuuming the floors.

Then we had a child, the German shepherd died and we moved to DC.

Now we live in a condo and it is a pain in the neck to walk the dog three times a day, plus to clean the rugs. I absolutely hate it that my clothes are full of dog hair. It is so humiliating. Whenever I work out on a yoga mat and get close to the rug, I find the hair so disgusting I almost throw up.

Am I unreasonable to resent having to take care of the dog? I often have a bad conscience about this, because otherwise she is the perfect dog: gentle, calm, child-friendly, unassuming and undemanding. But I have zero bond with her and neither does our daughter. My husband cares for her, but he works out-of-state and is hardly at home. My daughter and I fly a lot to him, so then we have to arrange for dog care, sometimes for weeks on end.

I secretly count the years until the dog dies. Then I feel bad about it because she is a truly wonderful dog and it is not her fault that she sheds hair.

Sorry, I just wanted to vent. I realize that this forum is for dog-lovers, not dog-haters...

[Anonymous]

Give your dog up for adoption. Lots of people will take t. Feel no guilt.

[Anonymous]

If your DH is never home could the dog live where he works? That might help him feel less lonely when he is away in addition. It may require a little thought and hiring a dog walker/sitter but maybe it is worth it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Give your dog up for adoption. Lots of people will take t. Feel no guilt.

Yeah. Take a gander at the thousands of dogs languishing in shelters and tell yourself that to ease your conscience.

Humans can be so horrible.

[Anonymous]

How old is the dog? There are people looking for older housebroken dogs, and yours sounds like the kind someone would be happy to have.

[Anonymous]

I can't really relate to your experience, Op. I have 3 dogs myself who I (dh and kids) adore. I will gladly put up with some pet fur on their behalf. I vacuum once or twice a day and that really keeps the fur down. Brushing once a day would help a lot, too.

You don't sound like a dog person and it's unfortunate that you adopted two dogs hoping not to interact with them. It's also unfortunate that your husband adopted these dogs knowing that he wouldn't be around to help care for them. One of the dogs has since died and now you are finding that you are the one who has the primary responsibility for your living dog's care. Since you aren't bonded with the animal, you resent having to spend your time and energy taking care of the dog.

How old is the dog? Do you think that you could put him in doggie daycare a couple of times a week to give yourself a break?

[Anonymous]

How old is DD? Maybe she will bond with the dog as she ages. In the interim- maybe a roomba would help with the fur.

[Anonymous]

It's a dog... get rid of it.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old is DD? Maybe she will bond with the dog as she ages. In the interim- maybe a roomba would help with the fur.

OP here. My daughter is only four years old. She is not interested in the dog at all, either. I think she picks that up from me. I doubt that will change.

[Anonymous]

Please rehome this dog if you can.

[Anonymous]

Lab rescue.

[Anonymous]

I can relate. I couldn't stand our dog. Nothing was wrong with him, in fact he was sweet. I just do not like living in a house with a dog. The fur is one of the main reasons. now that he has died I realize just how much dirt he brought into our home. Consider getting a high end roomba. It helps take the edge off until you don't have a dog in the house anymore.

[Anonymous]

I feel SO bad for that dog. He knows you hate him. Try and rehome op. I can't stand people like you.

[Anonymous]

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.