Need re-homing advice for OEM

[ShellyZoeyAndChops]

This may be a little different but I wasn't quite sure where else to post it. I have a 21 month old Old English mastiff mix and an 18 month old Pitbull mix. I just found out my mastiff needs bone grafts on his hip joint sockets because they didn't develop correctly. Paying for the surgery is not a problem but my Pitbull is a wild thing and I am worried that their energy levels aren't as compatible as I would like, especially now that I know my mastiff needs surgery. They are both rescues and I got my Pitbull first so she is kind of my baby and honestly I like the pitbull personality more than I like the mellow mastiffs. My dilemma is that not only do I love my mastiff and him and my pitbull love each other as well, but he is also very attached to me. If I leave the house my roommate says he will wait upstairs for me to return and it is clear he gets anxiety if I leave them for a couple days. I am not sure what to do because he is my baby, I took responsibility for him when I decided to adopt him, and he is so attached, but I also feel like if he could transition gracefully into a different home it might be best for him. Again this has absolutely nothing to do with the cost or healing time of his needed surgery and I would like to pay for the surgery still. I just do not want him to get hurt with my pitbull jumping all over him and it's not fair to either of them trying to make sure my pitbull gets enough exercise and my mastiff doesn't get completely over worked. I really don't want to give him up and I'm not even quite sure where I would start looking for someone I would trust to take him. So, I figure you guys know quite a bit about dogs and mastiffs in particular and you might be able to give me some advice, or at least a second opinion. Sorry if I rambled and thank you so much for your replies.

 

[musicdeb]

Does the OEM have a crate and is he crate trained? It is very normal for the OEM to become attached to you.

When did you want to do the surgery? Sounds like the surgery may change his lifestyle.

Personally, I would do whatever it takes to keep both dogs. But sometimes, rehoming a dog cannot be helped and perhaps a better home for the dog.

Tough decision.

 

[ShellyZoeyAndChops]

He does not have a crate any longer. He was crate trained but now he has a memory foam twin mattress. Cheaper than a dog bed big enough. What does that have to do with anything?

 

[musicdeb]

The crate will help to keep the OEM secure and safe when the pit wants to play rough and it will reduce the OEM's movement.

 

[Smokeycat]

My EM had surgery for elbow dysplasia last June. I also have an Irish Setter x who has the energy level of the energizer bunny and loves to roughhouse with Kryten. I too was worried that Jiggers would be too much for Kryten. Turns out I was over concerned. Jiggers seemed to know that Kryten couldn't play rough and instead just wanted to cuddle with him when able to. In terms of exercise I had to separate them and take Jiggers out more than normal to drain excess energy. Jiggers was also put into an agility training program. Kryten did a lot of training at home to mentally tire him out since I couldn't do anything to physically remove his puppy energy.
I'm not going to tell you it was easy to do because it wasn't but it was completely worth and if he ever needs his other leg done I will do it again.

Times like this made it a bit easier.

 

[Smokeycat]

He does not have a crate any longer. He was crate trained but now he has a memory foam twin mattress. Cheaper than a dog bed big enough. What does that have to do with anything?

Kryten refused his x-pen after his surgery so I made a safe room for him where I could leave him when I wasn't able to watch him. This prevented him from trying to move too much and it separated the two of them to prevent playing.

 

[DennasMom]

I'd do anything possible not to rehome the mastiff... but... I have rehomed a dog before, so I know it's sometimes the best thing for everyone involved, especially the dogs.

Don't feel guilty if you need to take the pit out for walks and adventures and leave the mastiff home alone to relax. Mastiffs are great home-guardians, so if that's his "job", I'm sure he'll do his best to hold down the mattress and keep it warm for you while you're out with the other dog.