Okay, this isn't like sex advice or anything but I need to figure something out and I know you kids are good at brainstorming and helping solve problems.

I have 2 dogs and a Kaylee (a 4 year old). This is not a good mixture for a happy household. And since I can't give the 4 year old away I have to do something about the other two. And I LOVE my puppies (one is a 2 year old male rat terrier and the other is an 11 year old male cocker spaniel) so this is a hard decision to come to. I want to cry just thinking about it.

Both of them are such good dogs but she is so mean that I can't keep them in the same room anymore. My problem is that they both are 'handicapped'. The cockerspaniel has cataracts in both eyes. One is so bad that his iris is white. The rat terrier is blind in one eye from being stung by a wasp about a year ago and that eye is smaller and deformed now. Also the cockerspaniel has a malignant tumor under his belly that is very gross looking and the rat terrier has sensitive skin that makes his skin flake and turn red unless you bathe him with sulfodene. Thus, they aren't 'attractive' for someone to take.

So, how can I get someone to take these dogs before she kills them without taking them to a shelter where they may get put to sleep if no one takes them? I've tried putting them in the classifieds but never got any callbacks.

I feel like I'm giving away my children and having to work this hard to get rid of them makes me feel even worse. I have tried all I can to stop my little girl from abusing them but for the last 6 months, the second my back is turned she is doing something else to one of them. Help!

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Well i'm a bit of a tough nut when it comes to animals....i love em dearly dont get me wrong...but

Realistically most arent going to take an animal with health problems...there are just too many animals available that do not require the specialist care that your spaniel and terrier do, unfortunately the spaniels age is against him too...if they were mine (which i know they're not) i'd have them humanely euthanised

As much as it would pain you to do the above...euthansia is (to me) more preferable than someone taking one or both and not giving them the love and care you obviously give them

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I have known rare but wonderful animal shelters (not government run, I imagine, but I'm not 100% sure on that) with a policy against euthanising animals unless medically required. That is, they won't just kill your darlings after a certain specified amount of time. I have no idea where you are, or if there's one near you, but if you google up your area with "no kill" animal shelters you might find one. Because of their policy, though, they can only take a certain number of animals. Still, they'd be a great source for ideas and options.

Another thought is that by 4, it's not acceptable for a child to be harming (to the point of your needing to remove them to save them) pets. I'd concentrate my efforts on that first. I know you said you've tried but IMO this is not an area where you can afford to fail. Seek intervention or parenting help if necessary.

You could look for a foster situation. If you call the pound they may be able to tell you who does that in your area.

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I agree with Lil on this one...the behavior must stop - and sometimes it is easier said than done - but teaching your daughter to not harm pets now will enable her to socialize better with other children in the future. Also...will it be the pet's fault if suddenly one of them gets sick of being picked on and hurt and takes a bite out of the child???? To be frank, I wouldn't blame the pet, but why take the chance? Teach her to behave.....

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http://www.zerotothree.org/help.html
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/t...to_animals.html

A couple of links to give you some additional ideas....

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A blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend, one human soul whom we can trust utterly, who knows the best and worst of us, and who loves us in spite of all our faults.