I think your dogs can, and should, be given every possible chance to live happily again, even if it means without you, and possibly without each other. I'm sure you are sad and devastated by all of the changes and losses going on in your life. And I do agree, a dog with an elimination problem can be hard to place and is at risk of mistreatment at the hands of owners who don't know how to properly train a dog without punishment. But to assume they can never be happy or safe with anyone but you is a bit biased and short-sighted. Dogs are highly adaptable creatures, provided their physical and emotional needs are tended to properly. It may be hard to believe anyone else could ever make these dogs feel as secure and happy as you once did, but please believe me, it is possible. It would be a terrible shame to put them down out of fear of a worse life; while death may end all chances for suffering, it ends all chances for joy on this earth, as well. Do your dogs enjoy life, independent of you? Do they like to bask in the sun or investigate a smell? Do they enjoy being touched by other people besides you? Do they still seem vital? These are their rights, and you need to work hard to protect them for your dogs, even if it is a huge challenge to put your own misgivings aside in order to do so. I suggest you first have the Min Pin thoroughly examined by a veterinarian to rule out any undiagnosed health problems, such as a urinary tract infection, which might contribute to her housesoiling behavior. I would call local humane societies, as well as breed rescue, and explain the situation. If you really want to put your money where your mouth is, offer a "scholarship" to whoever adopts her, offering to pay for part or even all of a training program to help educate the new owners on the best ways to adjust the dog into a new home. Perhaps your husband could even be persuaded to stick it out with both dogs, if he thought there was a light at the end of the housetraining tunnel. If he is as willing to allow you to visit the dogs as you've claimed, perhaps he'd be willing to listen to professional training suggestions if he wasn't the only one responsible for financing and reinforcing the re-education. As long as you retain "joint custody" of the dogs, you should both try to work together to achieve the best outcome for them. I cannot suggest euthanizing healthy dogs just because you worry they cannot thrive without you. I have seen dogs demonstrate amazing resilience and adaptability. I know many dogs that have survived the death of an owner or of another pet, that have changed homes, or even survived abuse and have landed in a loving, caring environment where they live out the rest of their days safe and happy.

There are many, many kind people who adopt second-hand dogs and love them just as much and sometimes more than their original owners did. Often older people seek older dogs, not wanting to risk outliving a very young dog, or having to go through the exuberant "puppy stage." Being doted upon by a full-time, stay-at-home new mom or dad actually might agree with your Min Pin more than you might imagine. I helped one family place a dog in a retirement home after its owner passed away.

They had considered putting the dog to sleep, but in the end allowed her to be placed in a home where she brings joy to many lonely dog lovers who can no longer have their own pet, and who dote lovingly upon the little dog all day, every day. Please don't assume you are the only one who cares; every humane society in this country is working hard to prevent the unnecessary death of dogs and to re home them safely and permanently. As for your Doberman, separation anxiety is a real problem, but it is very much influenced by human emotional interpretations and resulting interactions with dogs. If the dog isn't destructive or self-destructive when left alone without the Min Pin, then she is probably OK, provided she isn't left for inhumane (more than 8 hours) lengths of time. Hiring a dog walker to break up her day and providing quality time when he is home, for instance allowing her to sleep in his bedroom, will help offset the periods of time when the dog must be alone. I think you may be projecting some of what you are feeling onto your dogs, or imagining how you might feel in their place. While empathy is good, it can be misleading when it applies to our pets.

We cannot assume our dogs feel exactly as we do; while it may be a form of flattery, it is also unfair, as it overlooks the fact that dogs have their own emotions, which may not be anything like our own. Ideally, your husband will work with you to overcome the Min Pin's behavioral problems, will keep both dogs and you will continue to have a relationship with them. But if that isn't possible, please try to find either or both dogs new homes. Just because things can't be exactly the same doesn't mean they can't be good.

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