Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSassy  I don't mean to be blunt, but I'm confused; you're taking care of your friend's dad? Why isn't your friend taking care of him? I understand wanting to help out, but with live animals, they have to come first because they can't speak or care for themselves. They have to be the priority. I do try to help out with my friends, but they also know that I have animals I need to care for, and I can't be gone upwards of ten hours. I would think your first responsibility is to the animals, especially animals that aren't yours, and that you agreed to care for. Things happen, but in all likelihood this could have been avoided by not being gone for so long, but you know that now.  |
Yes, I do know that.
The situation with my friend's dad is sad. He's got Parkinsons really bad and just had hip replacement surgery. He needs CONSTANT supervision. His wife runs a day care out of their home that is paying the bills, and his daughter (my friend) is a school teacher. I had some vacation time, this is more then just a friend - This is a family who has been there for me through thick and thin, who has had my back during some very hard times, who took me in years ago at a time I had found myself homeless and jobless and helped me get back on my feet. I owe them more then I could ever repay them for their kindness to me over the years. I can't say I'd have done what I did today for anyone else - But for him? And his wife and daughter? I'd do darn near anything! And I'll be there for him again tomorrow - But plan things out much differently for the dogs, Moose will stay at the vets, Aiyana (my service dog), will, as always, be with me, and I'll hire my friend that's a pet sitter to come let the rest out in the middle of the day and spend some time with them. It's not an ideal situation for me or them, but I'd rather use up my vacation time at work until my friend's dad is well enough to return home (He's in a rehab center that's not watching him close enough - He keeps trying to get up if someone isn't right there to stop him from doing that because with the Parkinson's he can't understand why he shouldn't). If all goes well, in 2 weeks he'll go back home, his wife can make sure he's ok during the day while she runs the day care (it's run out of her home), and life can go on as normal. Until then, Monday through Friday they need me to help and give back a little of all that they've given me. I know it may be hard for some to understand - But they tried having a private nurse take care of him and it was horrible, he just couldn't handle it. With me he's much calmer and easier to control, and right now, I'm just thinking of him. Right or wrong, I feel an obligation, responsibility, and love to make sure he's taken care of after all him and his family have done for me. This family has been more of a family to me then my own, and I love them as I love my own blood family.