The Tough Decision to Rehome Our Little Kenzi

Brooke (Stedmansmommy) did such a great telling the end of my story I thought I would like to write the beginning.

We brought Kenzi into our family in December 2006 when she was 10 months old. We drove to Kentucky to pick her up and brought her to Wisconsin. The first meeting with our two Jack and Jilly were met with growls and my first reaction was OH NO what have I done. But with plenty of reassurance from my friends on YT, it did get better. The three got along fantastic for about 6 months.

Then things started to get ugly. Jilly and Kenzi had a fight. Not just play fighting, a knock down fight. They were like two little pit bulls and it was impossible trying to break them apart. What started it still remains a mystery. Time passed before the second one happened. This time I witnessed it. The two girls would always run to the door when it was time to go out and they would struggle for position at the door for who would run out first to chase a squirrel or bark at the birds in the birdbath. But before I could open the door a fight broke out. Our remedy from then on was to pick up one of the girls, let the other out and then the other. Problem solved. Then play time was a problem with fighting. Our remedy was then to hold onto one of the girls when toys were in play. We all loved to play ball. I would stand at the end of the hallway and if my aim was good I could throw it into the living room for all three to run after.

Then one night we came home and as usual I let the pups out right away and Jilly ran into another room and wouldn’t come out. She was hiding under the bad. I brought her outside and turned to go inside and BAM the two girls were at it. Don’t know what had happened while we were gone but something did. Remedy for that was to put Kenzi in Yorkie Jail whenever we were gone. Worked great. So as we would encounter each situation we were able to find a remedy that worked. Each fight was frightening and scared my hubby and me. The fact that we had difficulty breaking them apart while one of them was crying out in pain the other ready to kill was heartbreaking. Who would have thought these two precious little bundles of loves could turn that vicious. I could go on about each fight but the last one was the decision maker. Kenzi ended up with a bleeding gum and Jilly was crying and limping for a day. It was at that point we both decided that for the safety of these two we had to make the decision to find a wonderful home for Kenzi.

Back in February I remember ready a post from Brooke about her mom (Ginger) possibly getting a Yorkie but that story had a sad ending with it not working out. I remember thinking this would be the perfect home if we ever decided to rehome Kenzi. I contacted Brooke about a month later when our final decision was made. She said her mom had not yet found one so our new friendship began. Lots of questions from both of us and pictures were exchanged. You see, the most important thing for me was to find the perfect loving home for her. For all that know Brooke, I thought, if her mom is anything like her, this is the perfect place for her. When I told Brooke what her name was she was so excited to hear that because that was her mom’s favorite name. I knew Brooke was in Texas and when I asked what part and she told me I knew with was meant to be. My stepson and DIL live in the same city. Our problem was getting her to Texas. I did not want to put Kenzi on a plane alone but did offer to fly her myself if they would meet me at the airport. When hubby heard this he said how about if I go along and we can visit my son. Well after checking airfares hubby said “why don’t we just drive her down there, we are overdue for a visit.” Heck, he drove me to Kentucky so why not Texas. So plans were made to drive on down their way. But, in the mean time hubby got sick. So after doctor’s visits and testing it was determined he needed his gall bladder removed. Oh no, a delay in our plan, Ginger is going to be so sad to hear this. But after a visit with the surgeon we scheduled surgery for after our scheduled return.

So on Tuesday, April 22nd, Kenzi, hubby and I headed out for our trip to Texas. All along the way I sent pictures to Brooke and Ginger of Kenzi enjoying the ride. I had never traveled with a pet before so that meant finding pet friendly hotels (love Drury hotels) and taking turns eating in a restaurant or doing fast food. I didn’t want to let Kenzi out of our sight. She was just too precious to us to leave alone. We managed just fine but what I wasn’t prepared for was little Kenzi not doing so well. She decided not to eat her food. Being a little 3 ½” pounder, that couldn’t go on very long so I knew she would eat grilled chicken. She did. And her favorite…vanilla Dairy Queen. We stopped in a little town in Texas to get her some ice cream. She just would not eat her regular menu. So by the time we delivered her to Ginger she was not eating much. We arrived at our son’s house on Friday afternoon. They weren’t due do to arrive home until Saturday from a scheduled trip to Dallas. So hubby and I enjoyed their beautiful home and our last night with our precious little Kenzi.

With all the planning for the trip and the excitement of finding her the perfect new mommy and aunt I WAS NOT prepared for what was to come. We went to Gingers on Saturday and there I was standing at her door crying with Kenzi in my arms. What a way to meet my second YT member in person and Kenzi’s new mom. We couldn’t have been welcomed more warmly by Brook, her hubby Jeff and Ginger. They were so understanding of how difficult this time was for us but I know inside they were bursting with joy at the sight of their new family member. They loved her at first sight and were so surprised at how small she was. Brook presented her mom with a huge gift bag full of goodies for Kenzi. Ginger had already bought a bunch of stuff. Brooke made her the softest leopard/pink print blanket. I could definitely see she was going to be one spoiled little girl. We stayed for a few hours and talked and cried. It was time to leave though…I hugged my little precious Kenzi, gave her a kiss and handed her over to Ginger. Wow, the emotion was so unreal. Hubby and I walked out the front door and just stood in the walkway crying and hugging each other. We left knowing that we found the perfect loving home for her. So my mission was accomplished. But our hearts were so heavy with the pain of missing our little girl.

Brooke and Ginger kept in touch with us during the week. They invited us back before we left but I thought it best not to for Kenzi’s sake. She was settling in nicely and I didn’t want to confuse her anymore than she was. My one regret though is that I did not get to meet Brooke’s Tatum and Stedman.

The morning we were leaving Texas we were secretly hoping we would get a phone call from Ginger telling us to come get Kenzi because it didn’t work out. But we never got that phone call. Hubby even hatched a plan to go over and kidnap her! LOL We drove out of town with many tears flowing.

But the ending to my story was a happy one for Kenzi and her new Mommy Ginger and Auntie Brooke. And when I start feeling sad about missing Kenzi I think of how she is in a safe place. No more fighting. And a loving new mommy who will treat her like the little princess she is.

We drove straight through to Wisconsin taking about 26 hours. We were so anxious to get home to our Jilly and Jack. Luckily our pet sitter had not left for work yet so we loaded them in the car and headed for home. They were so glad to see us. Jilly wandered around looking for Kenzi for a few days.

Brooke has kept me up to date on how Kenzi has adjusted and she has sent many pictures and a video. At first they were difficult to look at but now I can do it with a smile and remember all the joy she brought to our lives.

I will alway's love you baby girl!

Here is the story Brooke posted.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/my-...ig-secret.html