If you aren’t on facebook (and why aren’t you?) then you may be a little confused by my goodbye post. This is Chikezie. Our puppy dog. He’s been with us nearly 2 years. You can read his Welcome Home Doggie post if you missed it the first time. He was such a good dog. Really good. So obedient. Never snaps at the kids. Never, in two years, potty-ed in the house. Ran with the kids, chased the deer and big dogs off.
But animals need money. And, though we could budget enough to keep him, when we get down to the last few dollars at each payday – we’ll always choose the childrens’ interests. Without hesitation. And there are always children’s interests.
(Pause here, I want no “this is how you could’ve afforded to keep him” I can’t take anymore, frankly. We made the decision. Now, I just want hugs or nothing at all.)
My mom called her groomer who just yesterday had a very nice woman asking for a little house dog. She already had one little doggie and 2 children. That’s the kind of home he needs – kids and other doggies. He thrives on chaos. By the time my mom got here, she said her groomer was actually debating keeping him for herself (she has a 3rd grader and a doggie daycare). I lean toward the groomer, because the kids could go see him when we’re in town. (Though, I think maybe that would hurt worse in the long run?)
I’ve cried for 2 days over this. My kids are constantly asking how we can keep him, if the quarter they’re offering up would be enough, that TheOldest has been saving his money since September, if he’s happy in his new home, if we can go see him, if his new owners are bloggers or on facebook, if Santa will bring us a new puppy next Christmas. It did not help when my elderly well-meaning next door neighbor offered to take him on the spot yesterday for his updates and to do it twice yearly for us forever. In front of the kids. Because it’s hard to explain to desperate eight year olds the concept of owe no man nothing.
I know we made the right decision (I think). I know we did the responsible thing. I just don’t want the kids to be scarred for life. I don’t want to see them hurt. I don’t want them to worry about money - because we’re just fine. I don’t want it to be about me and my decisions. I don’t want to severely regret this decision down the road – because great dogs don’t just come along everyday – not the kind that fit into our family so perfectly.
I just miss that dog.
