So sad! Have to say goodbye to my little Lady!
Posted 01-19-2009 at 11:25 PM by MeAndPhoenix
I know no one really reads the blogs on here (I don't anyway) but I just wanted to type this mainly to get it out of my head more than anything.
All my life I wanted a pet so bad and we never had one growing up because they always made my mom feel guilty. So a few years ago, my dh and I went and picked out the cutest puppy ever. She was the runt of a border collie mix litter and had giant brown eyes. She had only lived around other dogs and was shaky and scared when we brought her home. She sat so tiny and small in our living room floor that first night growling at us if we tried to get anywhere near her. At about 1 am, I put on my big fuzzy black coat and coaxed her to walk outside with me to use the bathroom. I thought she might run away and I kind of didn't care at that point because she was starting to scare the crap out of me. But she didn't. She slipped back in the door behind me and resumed her post in the corner. I went to sleep on the couch and, somewhere in the wee hours of the morning, I awoke to her snuggling into the big fuzzy black coat that I was still wearing and sleeping there until dawn. I'm pretty sure I was her new mommy after that.
Once she warmed up to us, she was NUTS! When we would come home she would get so excited that she would literally run up the entire lengths of our bodies jumping off at our chests. We taught her tricks including saying "out" when she has to use the bathroom and she filled our house with so much love. And then we had our son 5 months ago. Everything changed. I finally understand, after all these years, why my mom always felt so guilty. As I play with my son, I see her sitting in the corner watching us. I call her over and she gets too hyper and I have to shoo her away before she hurts Phoenix. She is lonely and it breaks my heart but I can not, not matter how much I love her, take time away from my son to give to her. It is simply not the order of things. Besides, I've always known deep down inside that she longs to run free. I see her watch the neighborhood dogs outside when they play and she wags her tail and wimpers.
The deciding factor came 2 days ago when she got too hyper when my husband was playing with her and bit him, I mean she drew blood. She didn't mean to hurt him but she will always be a bit of a wild animal and what was cute before, like when we would laugh hysterically as she lowered her center of gravity and raced around the room at lightening speed around and around and around is now a danger to the most important little man on earth to me. And I will tear down mountains to ensure the safety of my son.
So the time has come when we know the right thing to do for everyone is to get rid of her.
I'm talking to an organization that helps to place "troubled" animals, like our wild little Lady, in new homes. I just got done typing a description of her to a potential owner.
And, as I sit here and type this at 1 am, choked with sobs, she is lying curled up asleep beside me with complete trust. I can't sleep. I keep thinking, what will become of her? Will she cry inside when she realizes that we gave her up? Do dogs even think that way? I don't know. All I know is that I will miss her so much and it feels like my heart is breaking in two.
All my life I wanted a pet so bad and we never had one growing up because they always made my mom feel guilty. So a few years ago, my dh and I went and picked out the cutest puppy ever. She was the runt of a border collie mix litter and had giant brown eyes. She had only lived around other dogs and was shaky and scared when we brought her home. She sat so tiny and small in our living room floor that first night growling at us if we tried to get anywhere near her. At about 1 am, I put on my big fuzzy black coat and coaxed her to walk outside with me to use the bathroom. I thought she might run away and I kind of didn't care at that point because she was starting to scare the crap out of me. But she didn't. She slipped back in the door behind me and resumed her post in the corner. I went to sleep on the couch and, somewhere in the wee hours of the morning, I awoke to her snuggling into the big fuzzy black coat that I was still wearing and sleeping there until dawn. I'm pretty sure I was her new mommy after that.
Once she warmed up to us, she was NUTS! When we would come home she would get so excited that she would literally run up the entire lengths of our bodies jumping off at our chests. We taught her tricks including saying "out" when she has to use the bathroom and she filled our house with so much love. And then we had our son 5 months ago. Everything changed. I finally understand, after all these years, why my mom always felt so guilty. As I play with my son, I see her sitting in the corner watching us. I call her over and she gets too hyper and I have to shoo her away before she hurts Phoenix. She is lonely and it breaks my heart but I can not, not matter how much I love her, take time away from my son to give to her. It is simply not the order of things. Besides, I've always known deep down inside that she longs to run free. I see her watch the neighborhood dogs outside when they play and she wags her tail and wimpers.
The deciding factor came 2 days ago when she got too hyper when my husband was playing with her and bit him, I mean she drew blood. She didn't mean to hurt him but she will always be a bit of a wild animal and what was cute before, like when we would laugh hysterically as she lowered her center of gravity and raced around the room at lightening speed around and around and around is now a danger to the most important little man on earth to me. And I will tear down mountains to ensure the safety of my son.
So the time has come when we know the right thing to do for everyone is to get rid of her.
I'm talking to an organization that helps to place "troubled" animals, like our wild little Lady, in new homes. I just got done typing a description of her to a potential owner.
And, as I sit here and type this at 1 am, choked with sobs, she is lying curled up asleep beside me with complete trust. I can't sleep. I keep thinking, what will become of her? Will she cry inside when she realizes that we gave her up? Do dogs even think that way? I don't know. All I know is that I will miss her so much and it feels like my heart is breaking in two.
Total Comments 7
Comments
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Oh, I am so sorry that you had to make this decision
I am sure that it is the right one, though, especially since Lady would be so hyper. We are total dog people, too, and our two Cocker Spaniels have taken second place to our dd since she was born 18 months ago. Our 2 dogs took some adjusting to her, but they are older (9 and 10), and are quite okay with her. I know that it is hard to do what you are doing, but you will be happy in the end knowing that Lady will go to a new owner that will fit her needs 
Posted 01-20-2009 at 11:50 AM by tootsie roll
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Thank you tootsie roll! I was so sad all last night and, when I finally fell asleep, I dreamt about it. I will miss her so much but I know you're right. I really love having a dog around for how safe it makes me feel too. When Phoenix is older, I would love to get 2 Golden Retrievers. DH has always wanted one and I've heard they make good family dogs. And 2 so that they can be company to each other when we're busy.
Thanks again for taking the time to respond, I appreciate it and it helps to know that it's normal to not pay as much attention to her with the baby around.Posted 01-20-2009 at 03:14 PM by MeAndPhoenix -
I am sorry you have to make this decision, as I read your post I teared up at the thought. It is very hard when we have pets becasue we do love them so much. I have a Lab and had him before we had DD and DS, thankfully he has taken to them and is the best of friends with DD. I can not begin to imagine how you must feel, but I believe you are doing what is best for your son and like you said that is the most important. Just wanted to give you
Posted 01-20-2009 at 05:39 PM by ChristineV - Thank you so much Christine! I need a hug about now as I just received news from the organization that there's nothing they can do for me. She said they've got too many animals and not enough volunteers. I don't know what else to do. I don't want to take her to the pound cause I'm scared they'll put her to sleep.Posted 01-22-2009 at 09:17 AM by MeAndPhoenix
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:hugehug: It's hard when you have to let go of a beloved pet either due to sickness or safety issues with little ones that weren't in the picture before.
She's a beautiful dog so I hope whoever gets her treats her right.Posted 01-26-2009 at 07:34 AM by foggy - Thank you foggy!Posted 01-26-2009 at 09:04 AM by MeAndPhoenix
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Oh Tammi, I know exactly how you feel! I had always wanted a Jack Russell and we finally got one about 4 years ago. She had been abused by her former owners, but she really took to me and was very protective of both me and the kids(never liked DH). Then we had Sawyer. She just couldn't adjust to him. We started keeping her behind a baby gate in the kitchen, but as he started to become mobile I was more and more scared that she would hurt him. And if you know anything about Jack Russell's, you know when they fight or bite, they fight or bite to kill. So we started planning how to give her up. It broke my heart. I loved her so much. Then, about 2 days before we were going to take her somewhere, she ran away. Like she knew. Now we only have our 13 year old pug, the sweetest dog ever, and an 8 lb min pin. I still miss her though. But our children are the most important thing.Posted 01-27-2009 at 09:50 AM by bette 
