Getting ready to give up

[Mai Tai]

Oh Ladies, I am getting ready to give up on little Mo here.  I am not enjoying this AT ALL!  I cannot even enjoy Mai Tai anymore, and I am frazzled and short tempered.  Just venting, but feel very guilty about feeling this way.  It is not fair to Mo either.

[Kim]

Awww...what's going on? Having to take care of kids and 2 dogs is probably getting hectic and stressful. May I suggest drawing a nice bath and just relaxing for a few minutes? Or maybe a nice spa day. I really believe you deserve it. As for Mo, he'll eventually learn to just behave. I think he still has so much puppy in him. Don't give up!

[Ann]

Hi Karen
Hey you are human!! You need to take time out is there anyway you can have some time to your self. Try to take a break.
Love Ann

[codysmom]

I agree with Ann and Kim! Give yourself a little break!

[teddybear]

Mai tai, give yourself a break! You don't need to do so many things at one time. A human can not do all of this at once. Just relax a little bit. I am repeating the same thing over and over again: do not give up! You can handle this. I know that you can and I just know you over the internet. Karen, Mojito will get better. He will take time and many theories and strategies later he will be a mature dog. Maybe Mai tai just needs a little bit mroe attention, but I think that you need to do your own judgement because I am not there. Has Mai tai been acting Ok with Mojito, and is he doing all right? If so, then he will be Ok with whatever decisions that you make. Maybe you need some advice from the internet, and if there is one, can I have a specific problem that you are having instead of getting frustrated? Hopefully Mai tai is cooperating well with all of the big changes and adjusting well. I don't know anything else to say except then relax, and do something that you enjoy to take your mind off of things for a little while. You are the greatest multi-tasker and I reward you for that, but you still need a break once in a while. It will be easier for you if you just do things that consist of relaxing. Don't strain yourself so much. I know that they can be on your last nerve and you feel like you are about to have a nervous break down. Think about Mai tai. When he was a puppy, did he ever do something that frustrated and frazzled you so much that you thought you were about to give up? Think about it like that, if there was a time when you got so frustrated. But if you did, you obviously got through it and this will be one of those times. With all of our help, you will definitely get through this if you just give it a chance, a patient, consistent chance. I have faith in you. Thank you if you listened to my whole inspiring speech, and good luck with everything and relax if you got to reading this far. Even if you didn't, I wish you good luck and hope you relax! I also wish this to Cody and Kim! Relax and have fun for the first time in a long while. Relax yourself or maybe take a nice stroll or do something that you deeply enjoy. Make Saturday your do anything day! If you aren't doing anything, at least. I know that I'm making Saturday my Saturday! Ok, good luck with everything!

[shorkiejem]

Ok, I might say some things here others may not like, but it's just my own opinion.
I would try a little longer to see if things will finally click for him.  BUT, if you are finding yourself not being able to handle him, you might grow not to like him either.  Or enjoy him.  It's ok to sometimes say, I thought this would be different, or would be more like your older dog.
Whereas I don't like rehoming, in some cases it is warranted.  If you really feel you just can't handle it and it's too much  stress than I have no doubt the little one is feeling it too.  In such a situation I would then consider rehoming him or giving him back to your friend if she'll take him.  He is still young enough.  Sometimes it just doesn't work.  He needs to feel loved and you need to feel you can give him that.  If for any reason he is making that difficult for you, then perhaps you are right in making a decision to letting him go to someone who has more time for him, someone who has no one but themselves.  This sounds like it just all became much more than you thought it would be.  I'd like to see you give it a little more time, but do understand if you feel you've done all you can.
Being we live pretty close to each other, PLEASE let me know if there is any way I can help you, ok?

[Bailey]

Oh Karen....I'm sooo sorry everything with mojito isn't going well......it sounds like he is very needy...which is the opposite of what you thought you were getting...if i'm remembering what your girlfriend told you about the 2 pups you were deciding between.....you have 5 kids, mai tai....cats and a hubby.....you had a lot on your plate before mojito......if it's just not working out for you...maybe your friend can find mojito a home with a family that doesn't have any pets since he does seem to need a lot of care and attention....my heart goes out to you...this is really a hard decision for you....sending prayers & hugs your way

[Mai Tai]

Thanks to all of you for being so understanding and not thinking me a monster for even considering giving up.  It is just that my day was already so hectic and to add a little puppy who needs to go out every hour is starting to wear on me.  I expected to have to deal with that for about 3 weeks while housebreaking, but it has been almost 2 months and I feel like I have not made much progress.  I can keep this up for now, but not indefinitely. 

More importantly, I was afraid that Mai Tai and Mojito would not get along alone.  They play together under my close supervsion, but they get too rough and a little aggressive and I have to keep them apart.  Keeping two dogs apart in one house is not easy, especially with 5 kids going in and out of the kitchen all day letting Mo out or Mai Tai in.  Plus, my kitchen is tiny.  I originally got Mo because I loved Mai Tai so much, I thought it would be great and I wanted a companion for Mai Tai so he could have a playmate and company while I am out.  Well, I was starting to think this morning that I would NEVER be able to leave them alone together.  It does not look like Mo will get to be more than 4 lbs, and Mai Tai is almost 14 now.  I feel like poor Mai Tai is getting the short end of the stick because Mo requires so much time (coaxing him to eat 4 times a day, walking him without Mai tai about 14 times a day, training him, etc.  Also, Mo is not getting all the attention Mai tai had as a puppy either.  You are right, Bailey, I had wanted the puppy that did not seem to be needy.  I think Mo did not seem to be needy to my friend because he was sickly and had no energy.  Now that he is better, he barks and cries if you go out of his sight. I love him but feel I am not doing him justice.  It is making me feel like I did when my girls were babies and I felt like I could not take care of all of them at once and that I was neglecting them because I could not feed four at once or hold four at once.  I can't get any housework done either and my house is a mess now.  It did not help that two of my daughters got the swine flu and then were diagnosed with pneumonia on Sunday and almost admitted to the hospital.  Thank God they are feeling better now. 

Anyway, we had a breakthrough today, that I believe was engineered by God...LOL.  I had been praying (I am a born again Christian) about what to do about my little Mo.  I had to go to the store so I put Mai Tai in the kitchen, and put Mo in his crate outside the kitchen because Mai Tai tries to chew open his crate if I leave it locked in the kitchen with him.  I can't leave Mai Tai and Mo together, because I am afraid Mai Tai would kill or hurt Mo on accident.  Also, the gate to the kitchen is blocked off with cardboard taped across it because Mo is small enough to fit through the bars.  Well, when I got home after being gone an hour, much to my surprise, there was Mo IN THE KITCHEN with Mai Tai.  I was stunned and thought maybe my husband had come home early and put him there, but no one was home.  The cardboard was chewed through, and Mo's crate was open.  I guess I did not secure it all the way, and he pushed it open, then desperately tried to reach Mai Tai in the kitchen.  He could have gone anywhere in the house, or fallen down the stairs, but instead he made his way to Mai Tai, who did not hurt him at all.  They were alone together for about an hour I guess, and they were both fine.  They have been pals (except for when they are on leashes for some reason) all day and have even curled up together to sleep.  I cannot tell you how happy this made me as this is what I wanted so badly.  Tonight, they lay in the kitchen chewing on opposite ends of the same bone.  Perhaps they just needed me out of the way to reach some kind of doggy agreement about who was boss, and now they can be friends.  I am just so relieved.  Now if only I can get the peeing under control.

Sorry about the long story, but I don't think it was any coincidence that this happened and I still really cannot believe it.  Mo has never gotten out of his crate before, and once he got into the kitchen to Mai Tai by chewing through the cardboard taped to the gate, he did not leave the kitchen again.  Truly a blessing if you ask me.

Thank you all so much.  THis is a great site.  All of your words were comforting and wise, and best of all, non-judgemental.  Love you guys.  Going to bed now to get the rest you all recommend.  Maybe I was just at the end of my rope because the girls have been so sick.  Take care all.

[shorkiejem]

Yes, I believe this happened for a reason.  You will eventually have a Alpha dog and it will be Mai, as it should be.  Yup they are buddies now.  One thing fell in place for you.  Hooray.  I'm sooooo happy that it made you happy and lifted a little worry off your shoulders.  But you are right that Mai could hurt the little one, only because of the size difference, not because fighting.  hahahaha, maybe Mai knows more than you think he does.  How cute they wanted to be together.  And they did it.  Maybe you are right, you just needed to get out of the way, lol

[Bailey]

what a wonderful story and just what you needed...so glad they are now buddies....make sure you take care of yourself...as well as the girls and pups 

[codysmom]

Yeah!! I'm so glad they seemed to "work out" whatever doggie stuff they needed to! I'm so sorry to hear about two of the girls being sick, but glad they are better !

If it makes you feel better, there was times I wondered if getting Cody was a good idea. Housetraining took way longer than a few weeks with him(in the last month is about when I felt comfortable saying he's housetrained and we've had him for 4months!) Then my son doesn't understand that he can't put his head by Cody's when they are playing. He's had so many scratches right by his eyes, it's so frusterating.....I know they are not the same problems, but I feel how you feel about wondering if you did the right thing.

[Christine3837]

Oh no Mai Tai! You've been so helpful to me when I was venting, I'm sorry you're losing your patience. Me and Monty are buddies now and I actually miss him when I have to go out. Remember when I was on here venting and considering giving him away!?
I brought little tiny Monty to my friend's house to meet her giant pit bulls. She has raised many puppies so I trust her and her very loyal dogs. I was a totally over protective mom and was freaking out everytime I saw her giant dogs raise a hand. My friend just laughed and kept saying "they're playing!" Thus, sometimes when we think they're fighting, its just rough play and establishing dominance. Monty and her big pit bull Corrado were playing really rough at first, then eventually ignored each other by the end of the day. They both knew that Corrado was in charge. Monty ended up loving him so much that he would whine when I had to take him away or when Corrado walked away.
As we speak, Monty is sitting on the couch next to me, when just a couple weeks ago he was confined to his crate while I text messaged my boyfriend to get the eff home and take him out of my sight! I hope it all works out for you and that you have the strength and patience to just get through the tough times so you can really enjoy the good times.

[Cash]

Well I'm late getting on the bus with this post too.. I knew you were having a harder time with Mo, and like I said in another post, I give you guys alot of credit for sticking it out.  No one would judge you if it was just too much and you had to make alternative arrangements as it's a decision that does not come lightly. With that being said.. I'm so glad that things have turned around some.  I was going to tell you too, that there are times when Jack and Cash will play rough (remember there is a 35-40 lb difference between the dogs) and I sit by and feel very nervous.. BUT when I let it happen and Jack gets to rough Cash yelps and Jack immediately stops, waits for Cash to attack him then they start all over again. I really don't think Mai would hurt Mo.  But I know that with Mo only being 2 lbs that makes him more fragile and you more nervous.  It's hard to not be overprotective, but I'm glad they found a way to be with one another to show Mom, they're ok.    Of course they are little and will need some protection from us, but they are still dogs and should be treated as such.  They understand eachother better than we do.  Also you have two little boys in your house, and boys always play more rough then girls.. dog or human.. When we go home for the holiday's both my brothers and my parents have dogs,, and the girl dogs will sit and watch the boys play while they sit on the couch barking at them like they are trying to tell them what to do or to knock it off.. Typical huh? 

[Kim]

I'm glad to hear that things are a bit better now with Mo and Mai Tai. I'm also happy that your daughters are doing better. I have to really give you guys credit. Taking care of your kids and your dogs! I can barely keep up with Max. Don't know what I'd do if I were to have kids too!

Christine so glad things are better with you and Monty. How is he doing now that he's on medication?

[Mai Tai]

Again, everyone thanks so much.  Another little bit of good news today, Mo has reached 3 lbs. which is fantastic.  The doctor says it shows he can gain and makes it much less likely that he has liver shunt.  Maybe he will make 5 lbs.  That would be fantastic.  Thanks again.