I have a dilemma on my hands, one that does not make me feel good. It's one of those times when I wish someone else could make the decision, be the "bad" guy and I could just walk away.
We have a wonderful purebred Yellow Lab named Sulley. We've had him for two years and love him to death. He is cute, funny and very smart. When we lived up North, we had a big, fenced- in yard that he could run around in and be free. The kids were always outside playing with him and spending a lot of time with him. Since we've lived here, they are hardly ever outside with him. Not that they are not outside, they just don't spend time with him, they have to many other things to do, people to see.( I too am guilty of this offense) So.... or poor little puppy, whom we still really do love, is left to spend his days and nights outside in the backyard in his kennel. Oh sure, we do go out there every now and then and let him out to run around, we play soccer with him (which he loves) and we always make sure he has water and food. But for most of the day, he's alone, caged, it's just not fair to him.
Now, we have been puppy sitting a tiny, cute puppy for our friends, they have decided that they are willing to let us have him, if we would like. He is the kind of dog I always wanted, only my husband said, " If we are going to get a dog, we are going to get a REAL dog!! Not some little thing that doesn't even know how to be a dog!"
So here we are, two dogs we really love, one must go for his own good, but it sure doesn't feel good. He really is part of our family and I kind of feel like we are replacing him with something "better". It doesn't really feel good, but I know it's for the best. Sulley deserves to have space to run around and be a happy dog. On the bright side, my niece and nephew just bought a new place on 17 acres and they are thinking about taking him. I know he will be much happier there...... or at least that's what I tell myself!!!
5 comments:
oh cute! when shiloh wakes up i'll have to make sure i show her the doggie pictures on your blog. :) it will bring much joy to her heart.
that is a tough decision...but i can see how you have come to it. xo love you bonnie. have a good day!
Bonnie, I totally understand! I have always been a dog lover...since I was a child. I have loved and lost many pups! We had a beautiful chocolate lab that we got before we had kids, and when we were expecting Elliott, we knew it was time for her to go. She just didn't get any attention, and not nearly enough excerise. It was really hard, but I know she is better off where she is now....running around on a country property. It breaks my heart seeing dogs chained up with nobody to play with, so I can totally understand your decision.
Decisions, decisions...We would love to get a dog, but we refuse to get one until we live in the country and have space for it to run around free. Good luck!
Ok, mom I wouldn't go so far as to call Sulley "smart" but I do think he's funny etc, etc... I think that if we HAVE to get rid of him, (which I don't think we do), I'd rather we not have any dog at all. I mean... I'd feel like some kind of monster if I replaced Sulley for some new little puppy. And although he will technically still be, as you say, "in the family" we'll NEVER see him. I just don't want to get rid of my dog, expecially if we're getting some little puppy right after. I know he's just a dog but I keep comparing it to any situation I could put myself in. For example, if you adopted/fostered a young kid right after I moved out,(in about... 6 or 7 years). I'd fell pretty... stung. It's stupid I know, he is a dog after all, and I don't take care of him like I should,(and I have no solid, reasonable excuse/explanation), but he's still, like you said, part of the family. I'd love to say that I could feel better giving him to the M&K but... that would be a lie. So I'm not even going to really get into it I guess, but it does look like I already did. Luv ya, Jacquie
peachy EEchy.
Hope Sulley finds a place to run and play. Such a beautiful dog.
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