Since Tibbe is a family member, he comes before my vacations and many other things - even work at times - as with any other family member. To me, that is what having a dog is all about - adding to the family and as part of the family, that little furball is put first in whatever I may decide to do. If it cannot be worked out to accommodate his needs, I forego it. It is so simple when you love a dog. You don't have to fret and strain and moralize - the dog comes first and you work out your life around him/her. I don't look at Tibbe as something I got to fill my needs for a while and then shift to the side when something threatens to supersede him in importance. Truth is, with a dog lover, the responsibility for that little life is forever and that sweet little furbaby is just one of the most important things in the world to his momma or daddy! Trade my baby for a trip? Not on your life! Not at age 18, 38, 58 or now! If a person doesn't have that level of devotion to his or her potential dog - why even get it?
__________________  Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis |