Dogs and Cats are for Life and Not Just for Christmas

well said Matthew and In Spain now new rules and regs for dog owners to consider before getting that new pup.   Also consider adopting a rescue dog instead of a puppy if you realy want a dog.

I've had a few cries du coeur from people who've read this thread and while I intended writing only one post on the subject I'll try and answer a few questions on messages and texts I received. Also, I've learned that many animal sanctuaries in Ireland are now refusing unwanted pets (especially dogs). While pet ownership in Ireland is nowhere near that of the UK or coastal Spain there had been an uptake of new pets during the first years of Covid  and now that people are working less from home they want to rid themselves of pets and the  obvious table relegation is the dog.

You're enjoying life without a pet. Suddenly, Nigel (not his real name) shows up with a dog and informs you "You need this dog for company, diversion, entertainment and exercise and everybody else thinks so too." You're vulnerable and Nigel is a veteran of Afghanistan, can sink twelve g+t's and ten pints before starting a sing-along. He regales everybody with his war exploits and boasts although suffering multiple wounds about killing terrorists from his seated position on the bonnet of the jeep using his machine gun. He has relieved a siege and ammunition was low and water lower. He wants to shove ownership of a dog on you and you can't say "No." That will be the rock on which you will perish.

Like I said earlier, you have the right to say "No" and despite atrocious amounts of peer pressure you still have the right to say "No." Nigel is persistent and might even have a supportive friend with him to augment his "generous" offer. My advice to you is be as nice as you are usually and repeat "No" and you don't have to apologise and you've done nothing wrong. Nigel just wants to do somebody else a favour who wants to offload the dog.

If you think the above scenario doesn't happen, just take a look at some posts on this forum and on the facebook equivalent where every sort of sad story is articulated by people who are good at articulating. 

If you do not want a pet and take possession of one you're bringing lots of work  on yourself and you're doing the dog no favours either. No matter how nice you are you have the right to say "No." Never compromise on that.

Well said.

I take your point in saying NO, but not so easy in Spain when the farmer turns up at your door with a hand full of pups that he tells you he is going to drown unless you take them. Hence so many expats end up with 5,6,7, or more dogs.

That's not peer pressure, it's blackmail. Report the matter to the police if such happens. 

the Spanish old couple that lived at the bottom of our road in Arboleas had a liitle dog, she had not been spayed and numerous pregancies resulted in puppies that were drowned.  One escaped by hiding in the rambla and she was also not spayed and had puppies that were drowned and then a boy one managed to escape death and he wasn't castrated so became very agressive to the old granny dog until she died and was in the sort of kennel they had for several days until the local police woman did something about it.   When asked why it was allowed to happen she said 'this is Spain'.

There were also 2 alsations left behind when the owner died and the wife moved to Almeria but told police she came every day to feed them which wasn't true as they were starving and barked all the time.  Thank god eventually they were  rescued and taken away to better homes.

Seen today a hunting dog running along the beach near Neptunes first of many to be dumped.  

Unfortunately Alicia, this is all to common in Spain, I know there are now new dogs laws, its easy to set a new law, but its the implementing of them thats the problem. Spain is still in the dark ages when it comes to animal welfare.

Let's blame the Spaniards, Let's blame the police, Let's blame the new Spanish laws, Let's blame my grand-mother. We are all excellent at pointing-the-finger looking for somebody to blame for anything. A simple look in the mirror is nearer the truth to find somebody to blame. Keep accepting dogs that you do not want and you're adding to the problem. Succumb to blackmail and you're making the situation worse too. Refuse to say "No" and that is no help either. Cut off the need to supply and perhaps we'd be getting nearer to a solution? Say "No" if you don't want a dog and keep saying "No" until the message gets through.

We have seen on other threads the non reaction of police to such accepted means of cruelty. We are no angels in Ireland either - we still have hare coursing (look on you-tube for such cruelty). The Spanish police have to start somewhere. So do the Irish police and public. At least, a start is a start and from what I see (especially in coastal Spain) the problem is made worse by Spaniards and ex-pats alike. And we have to start somewhere!

at least we are not in Vietnam where they still regard dog meat as a delicacy and breed them to butcher or steal pets to sell on.