About My Heart

Tonight is Jake's first night with the family who has adopted him.  A wonderful volunteer-run organization called Friends for Life placed him in his new home.  I know I should feel thankful that things have worked out this way, but I miss him terribly and feel physically ill about it all.  On the one hand, I felt like I didn't have a choice.  He had snapped at Pearl four times, and he can't deal with the unpredictableness of a toddler. It will be a long time before our home is toddler-free.  On the other hand, though, I feel like I have abandoned him.  He is my boy.  Here are my wishes for Jake.  I hope he will adjust quickly and be happy.  He deserves happiness.  I love him so. 

Comments

[shannon]

jake will be much missed! i would feel ill if i were forced to get rid of part of my family, just what jake is to you. plus, who will pearl share her lollipops with now? maybe you, marcia or jojo, but nothing's better than dog saliva to spice up your candy. best wishes to jake in his adjustment to a new family. i hope you will be able to visit him, if you want.

[Heather]

New to your blog, just stumbled in. Just wanted to say sorry about your dog. Our house is teeming with animals and I can't imagine having to give any of them up (much as they can drive me crazy at times). You did the right thing and made sure he was living with another family. I just wish that would make things easier for you.

[sally]

Oh, that is so awful. I feel terrible for you and Jake. My pets are my hairy children - I would hate to have to make a choice like that.

OTOH, he's found a new home that will treasure him and he will not be in trouble for snapping any more.

Awww. Just feelin' it for all of you. I hope it gets better.

[shannon]

Aw, poor you and poor Jake. But it sounds like he has a happy new home. Do you get to visit?

[witchtrivets]

It's obvious you did all you could and you made the best possible decision for Jake. I don't know what I would have done in the same situation, but I would hope to do as well as you have. Jake will be fine. And the girls will be safe. And that is all that matters.

[cCathy]

Oh that's sad it don't work out and you had to give him away :(

[Robyn]

thinking of y'all. what a difficult decision. but i truly do understand your reasons. i'm hoping too, that Jake is happy. and has happy memories of you and your family. he will be missed.

[Rachel H.]

Happy Tails, Jake! So sorry about it all -- a very difficult decision to say the least.

Take heart -- you protected Jake before something awful happened. If he'd been pushed over the edge and hurt a child, there would have been no saving him.

[lisa]

don't fret about Jake. you did the right thing. some dogs just can't be with children. so this works out better for everyone. We have a dog like that. luckily for her we have no little ones right now. We'll see what happens when we start with the grandkids. (which could be sooner than later - who knows)

[Martha]

Oh Robin . . .one person responded to your blog that Jake is happy and the children are safe and that's all that matters . . . I'd just like to add that even those plusses--big as they are--may not heal your broken heart. I want YOU to be happy, too, and that will take time. I am SO sorry, but you've chosen the high road (the best in a complicated and sad situation . . .) Love to my daughter-in-law . . .marf50

[Elizabeth]

It's that dog pack hierarchy thing. There is no democracy in dog-dom. You are either above or below.

When kids enter the picture, it's hard for the dog to understand s/he's below the kid even though the kid showed up after him and the kid is smaller.

It's hard, at least you were able to find a good home for him.

We also have a dog like that, he looks like Jake too. We think he's a black and tan terrier mix. I know he would have a very hard time with a toddler and we, too, would probably have to give him up.

[Cindi]

Tears for you and for Jake. Not that you have done anything wrong by him only that parting is such sweet sweet sorrow. When we made our big move back in June we had to leave my tiny rescue baby behind. She is a rather overweight minpin which horribly old hips. The flight was just not going to be possible for her. So we found a wonderful rescue organization to find a new home for her, and at last update she is safe and secure as the new lap dog for an elderly woman who needed a friend.

I am sure that Jake will be thankful to you always for rescuing and loving him until a forever home came along. I will be thinking of you in my prayers tonight.

Cindi

[Sareesa]

I'm sorry this happened. I know it would be very difficult. Will you be able to have contact and check up on him by phone or in person?

[Robin]

I don't know if we will be able to visit. We do have their name and phone number. Marcia talked to them about some medical questions last Saturday. We shall see.