u/NoDragonfruit9491

Just here to vent. I feel like a horrible person and like I’m failing my dog. My dog is an Australian cattle dog, I got him at 21 and I didn’t have a ton of knowledge going into the adoption.

I have spent the last 6 years, spending thousands on training, toys, vet appointments to help him. But he is just always anxious and has the cattle dog genes which make him stressed.

I started working full time in my career (dealing with addictions and mental health) about two years ago. And I’m just burnt out, I get home and the last thing I want to do is training. Even going for walks is a nightmare because he is barking so much before we can even leave the door. Then on the walk he is anxious and just wants to get home. There’s nothing relaxing about the walks.
So instead we just sit at home and do nothing cause I’m too tired to deal with it. And I’m failing him in every way.

I’m considering rehoming for his and my sake but it’s close to impossible to find him a home that is knowledgeable of the breed and would be able to give him the life he deserves. While also working on his issues. But then I’m also just giving up on him.

I feel horrible and I don’t know what to do. His trainer said due to the complexity of him being a cattle dog (so a strong jaw) mixed with anxiety. We may have to look at behavioural euthanasia since responsible rehoming is going to be hard and it’ll prevent him from being bounced around from home to home.

But also like who am I to take his life. I’m not necessarily looking for advice, just venting my frustration

Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to my post about my pets and the possibility of relocating to the UK.

After talking it through with my family, friends, and my dog’s trainer. I’ve come up with a plan in the event this is something I decide to pursue in a year or so. My family would care for my small dog, who is already very comfortable with them. My cattle dog’s trainer has offered to foster him, and my coworker who I’ll be living with over the next year would temporarily foster my cat.

This would only be a temporary arrangement while I get settled and figure out my next steps, without putting my pets through the stress of immediate international travel.

I know there were a lot of comments calling me irresponsible, but those assumptions couldn’t be further from the truth. My pets are my family, and I would never make a decision that puts their well-being at risk. Just because I was asking questions and exploring my options doesn’t mean I hadn’t already been thinking about what would be best for them.

I’ve dreamed of moving from Canada to the UK for years, and I’m finally at a point where it feels like it could actually become a reality. I’d likely be moving on a Youth Mobility Visa.

The biggest thing holding me back is my pets.
I have two dogs and a cat. One of my dogs is an Australian Cattle Dog, and the other is a Japanese Chin. They’re both very attached to me. My cat is still fairly young, so I think he would adapt better than my dogs would if I decide to rehome him.

I’ve looked into bringing my dogs with me, but the cost, the long journey, the stress of moving them across the world worries me, and being able to provide them with my full attention while I get settled. I’m not sure whether moving them or rehoming them would be harder for them. I’ve also heard it’s quite difficult to find pet-friendly rentals in the UK, even with the recent changes to tenants’ rights.

I’m feeling really torn. I’m only 25, and this has been my dream for a long time. I don’t want to wake up in 20 years wondering what my life could have been if I’d taken the chance. At the same time, I made a commitment when I adopted my pets, and I don’t want to make a decision that’s unfair to them.

For anyone who has made an international move with dogs:

How did they cope with the flight and adjusting afterward?

Was finding pet-friendly housing as difficult as people say?

Looking back would you do it again?

And for anyone who decided not to move because of their pets, do you regret it?

I’m not looking for someone to make the decision for me. I just feel stuck between two things that are both really important to me, and I’d really appreciate hearing from people who’ve been in a similar situation.
Thank you in advance.

Hey! I’m in need of peaches and apples. If you have any can I come to your island? I’ll water or do some weeding for you