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:eek: Today a SW come to do our home visit. She acted a little weird about our dogs. At first she said that it is fine since they stay in a pen. But when I told her they come in the house at night and during bad weather she acted strange. She said that the man who is coming Saturday to do our home study has told some people to keep the dogs in a pen or get rid of them. My dogs are meduim size and VERY friendly. They all three love kids. They would never bite anyone. They sometimes bark at people they dont know, but I thought all dogs do that. (They did not bark at the SW today). Should I be worried about what she said?:o
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Our sw didn't have a problem with it. We had to have proof of vaccines and she asked us about their temperments and how we thought they would react to having a baby in the house. End of story. It seems a little harsh for you to have to get rid of them. Ours even have a doggie door to come and go at all times. We let them do that while sw worker was there too. We figured they were there and she should see how they are with people.
We have three dogs that act like wild animals when there is company. They are inside dogs and in fact sleep in the bed with DH and I :o (yes, all three). They would never hurt anyone, but they jump and bark. Our SW did not seem at all phased by them. It is probably different per case worker. If he/she is not an animal person, he may be turned off by the dogs. That should really not affect your home visit though.
We have 2 large dogs that are inside all the time. It wasn't a problem at all. One thing I did do was to research ways to help the dogs transition w/ the baby, and I let our SW know that we had done that. Maybe if the SW knows you have a plan for introducing the dogs to baby it will relieve any concerns.
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HBV I told her that they are really good with our 10yr old daughter. Two of them grew up with her. We are planning on adopting a child 0-6yrs so it is very unlikely we will get a baby. If the new SW seems concerned about having them around a baby.I will explain I have a 6mo old neice and they dont even notice her when she is here.
Our social worker just wanted our dogs separate when she came for our home study, which was fine by me. I would be upset if my SW wanted our dogs to be left outside! Our dogs are our children right now, and you shouldn't feel bad about what your SW said. I can't imagine that the SW would state something negative about your dogs in your home study report. I don't think my SW even said anything we had dogs in our report. I'm really sorry to hear that your SW was such a #&$^*#^$&#(...:)
The SW didn't say (just acted strange)she had a problem with our dogs she just thought the man who came to do our homestudy would. He didn't care how many animals we have indoors or outdoors just as long as they were friendly. I am glad we should not have to deal with that SW again since she was just filling in. We have a new SW ,but I haven't talked to her yet.
When we were released for homestudy, I worried MOST about our dogs, more than finances, more than the state of our house, MOST about the dogs.
We had a male malamute (135 lbs) and a female Bouvier (90 lbs). Both wonderful dogs and well-behaved, friendly. But I remember I was SO worried ...
There is no comparison of human babies and canine babies - but at the time, the 'canines' were my babies. I wouldn't have considered giving them up.
At any rate, the SW was fine with the dogs, even with them being very insistent ! about checking her out.
Our profile was chosen and our daughter came home to us in part because birthmom wanted this child to grow up in a home with pets.
Being a pet owner, pet lover, will appeal to some birthmoms, and not to others. May even be the deciding point some times. Ditto social workers. Some people are pet people and some are not.
But you know that having pets is at least a partial definition of who you are; it absolutely shows that you have a proven caring, nurturing side. You shouldn't be required to change who you are because a SW doesn't share your love for dogs. Don't work with anyone who bullies you into 'getting rid of the dogs'.
Our malamute assumed a position outside dd's bedroom door the first night she was home, and he became her guard dog! and best buddy.
Kids and dogs are wonderful together. Hold onto that dream.
Babs
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