Yesterday was supposed to be so special
It was supposed to be such a special day. Yesterday was supposed to have been the day we would apply to adopt a little dog at our local no-kill shelter.
Monday on our local noon news, they showed this little dog from a local shelter that appeared to be just the little dog for us. He was one year old, part miniature schnauzer and part jack russell terrier. They said he was mild mannered and laid back. I mean he sounded like he was made to order for the Pop home.
So yesterday morning we drove out to the shelter to meet this little guy. Bless his heart, he had issues. He had been abused and was frightened of everyone and every noise. At one point he escaped the shelter workers grasp and tried to run away. He showed no response to humans except fear.
As I petted the little dog, so many things were going through my mind. This little dog was going to need a lot of work and patience. He would be a project and at this time in my life, I am just not ready to take on such a project. As much as I love dogs, I knew that I just couldn’t devote the time and energy that this little animal needed. Instead of filling out papers to apply for adoption, we thanked the shelter worker for her assistance and returned home.
I don’t know if I made a mistake or not. I do know that once we do decide on a little dog, it will be in our life for the rest of its life and I don’t want to start out with more hesitation than happiness. So what was supposed to be a special day, turned into a day of soul searching but no little dog. Now if I only knew what to do with these pangs of guilt that seem to be staying with me.
Monday on our local noon news, they showed this little dog from a local shelter that appeared to be just the little dog for us. He was one year old, part miniature schnauzer and part jack russell terrier. They said he was mild mannered and laid back. I mean he sounded like he was made to order for the Pop home.
So yesterday morning we drove out to the shelter to meet this little guy. Bless his heart, he had issues. He had been abused and was frightened of everyone and every noise. At one point he escaped the shelter workers grasp and tried to run away. He showed no response to humans except fear.
As I petted the little dog, so many things were going through my mind. This little dog was going to need a lot of work and patience. He would be a project and at this time in my life, I am just not ready to take on such a project. As much as I love dogs, I knew that I just couldn’t devote the time and energy that this little animal needed. Instead of filling out papers to apply for adoption, we thanked the shelter worker for her assistance and returned home.
I don’t know if I made a mistake or not. I do know that once we do decide on a little dog, it will be in our life for the rest of its life and I don’t want to start out with more hesitation than happiness. So what was supposed to be a special day, turned into a day of soul searching but no little dog. Now if I only knew what to do with these pangs of guilt that seem to be staying with me.
posted by pissed off patricia at 1:39 AM
18 Comments:
It's tough to try and straighten out others' mistakes when it comes to dogs. It takes a lot of time and patience, i.e. someone who can stay with the dog all day long. We would love to get an older dog when Shayna goes, but we've been down that heartbreaking road before and our schedule doesn't allow it.
you knew the dog needed a lot of attention and love - and you knew you just couldnt do it at this point - so you did the right thing by not taking on the dog when you knew you couldnt give 100% --
what this tells me is how much you care -- that your need didnt trump the need of the dog -- hopefully someone will come along and be able to help this animal and give it a good home
you will find the right dog -- there is obviously enough care and love in your family for another dog --- but it is so hard to walk away from something you know needs a home.
it is not always easy - but know your pangs are totally normal.
Oh PoP, I feel for you. We have recently adopted a dog and she is great... but one meets so many dogs at these shelters that really require so much.
I think it is so challenging and it hurts our hearts to walk away from any animal, especially one who has been abused. That said, we also may not be able to provide all that they need.
Which is not good for us- or them.
Hang in there, your dog is out there.
Sending you lots of hugs on this day.
PoP, I can only imagine how torn you are over this little pooch. But I think you handled the situation correctly. So often you hear stories of people who get dogs out of indulgence, never considering the work it takes to care for one. The feeding, the walks, socializing it with other dogs, trips to the vet -- all of this takes time and effort, even for dogs that don't have fear issues. Your guilt over not taking the dog is understood. I'd feel the same way. In time, I think you'll come to realize that you made the right choice.
ah- buck up ya bleeding heart liberal :) you feel bad because the dog was afraid- and you are afraid that you are a bad person for not giving him shelter and a good home. you aren't. it's like dating- you have to find the right match- and it wouldn't have been fair to either of you if you had taken him in and not been able to devote yourself to him. it sounds like the shelter is doing a good job in finding the right owners for pets- and they are no kill. win-win. it's ok pop :)
Hang in there. The pup needs a lot of work and that isn't in your schedule now. It is good that you left him for someone else. You'll find the proper dog for your home one day, and a dog that will love Fred as well.
Luf, Us
You did the right thing, but I hear ya. Every stray that comes around our place, I wish I could take in. The fact that you feel the way you means you're not an evil bastard like the rest of the world.
we adopted a dog from a shelter one time that had about the same issues as you describe. He ended up biting any small kid that came near him. We had to eventualy take him back to the shelter. We have too many children in our lives to risk them being bitten. We were so unhappy, but a little tzit shu has filled us up to over full with love that we replaced him with
My heart goes out to the little dog. And to you too. Don't worry, you'll find the right one.
I feel for you, too, PoP--
and, tough as it is, I think you did the right thing. after all, you have to think of Fred, too. his life would've been so impacted by having to deal with a bundle of fear. and, it's not as if you could've explained to him what was needed to care for the dog.
it would've been a bad situation all around.
I think you made the responsible decision. Somebody will adopt the dog and it will get the love it needs.
One of our dogs was abused by a previous owner and is quite a bit "off." What's cool is the dog has trouble socializing, especially with other dogs, and is really skittish. The dog is effectively autistic and has attached itself to my daughter with asperger's. Two peas in a pod.
Since you are lucky enough to not work away from the home, and you have no kids, why not? It beats regret. But that's just me.
Good luck to you. We got our Gracie from a shelter and didn't have the resources to give her the attention she needed. It took 3 years and around $5000 in damages to what was a newly-built home. She's mellowed to become the perfect dog we always thought she could be.
Now that I work from home and do have more resources, I still entertain a second dog with trepidation, now that I know what it will take.
If you couldn't give the puppy the attention he obviously needed, you and he were both better off not being together, I think.
You did the right thing. You'll know when the right dog comes along. When we met our dog Diva she was such a sweetheart that there was no doubt in our minds that we couldn't leave without filling out those adoption papers. You need to have a relationship with your dog and it sounds as if this dog had too many issues...sad but hopefully someone will come along who wants that challenge and has the time to devote to it.
My sister picked a pup a few years ago right after her beautiful Great Dane had to be put down. She brought home a four-month old dane who was a little overly rambunctious from day one. Now, that pup is a 180 pound dog whose rambunctiousness literally knocks my sister to the ground. She has regretted taking this pup home everyday. Still, she takes wonderful care of Jesse and provides her a good home and a large yard. If she had to make the choice today, she would NOT take the dog home. Listen to your instincts. I know it's a heartbreak, but you made the right choice.
You've got to go with you gut on the pet issue. I've not listened to my instincts in the past and been very sorry that I didn't.
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