I loved reading this post. You did the most awesome thing by integrating your dogs with your new family. Nothing upsets me more (being a huge animal lover) to hear someone say they don't have time anymore for their dog because now they have a baby. I know it happens, I understand, but dogs don't understand when they are being placed away from their family. I had a friend at work who had photos of her dog everywhere and talked about him all the time. When she got pg and had baby that changed and suddenly I wasn't even sure she had the dog anymore. I understand that a dog is not a "human" baby, I get that, but when we make the decision to have a dog/cat it is a responsibilty that we choose. When I hear of the excuses people use to turn their dogs in, its a shame. He barks, he pees, I don't have time anymore, too expensive, too hyper, too big etc. like don't have feelings, it breaks my heart so your story was truly inspiring of how people can make it work if they take the time and energy. The one time I had to give up my animal was because my Yorkie was nippy with a foster child, and if a foster child were to get bitten I could have been sued. As it was I made sure my dog went to an older woman who had lost her husband and to this day I send an xmas card to my dog and her new owner and that was almost 4yrs ago.
Kathy |