Apollo is our wonderful standard poodle that came into our lives a few months after Mike and I were married. He's an amazing dog.
The sad part? His life is pretty non-existent at this point. Our lives have changed so much over the last few years, and Apollo's life has gotten really bad. He's alone almost all of the time, he can't go outside without us letting him out, and his days are spent in a 500sf space. The girls get mad at him all the time because his mouth is right at face level and he likes to lick, they don't like playing with him because he's big and knocks them down, and he's gotten to the point where he just goes and lays in the corner alone.
It devastates me...but I know this is the kind thing to do. His new life will include lots of dogs, constant companionship, playing at the river, swimming, spending lots of time on a house boat...I think it's going to be doggy heaven and he's NEVER going to look back.
The best part? He's going to live with our friend. He won't be out of our lives...and he won't be far away.
But I can't help being so sad about it...it's actually a bit hard to type through the tears right now. It almost feels like I've failed him in some way. I KNOW this is the most generous and self-less thing I can do for him, but with all the unbelievable stress and change in our lives, and all the responsibilities that have been heaped on my shoulders, I just feel like he's been lost in the whole thing. It's just not fair to him. Our life isn't going to get any easier any time soon and as a result, neither is his. In fact, I think it will get worse for him as the girls get older and busier.
In a weird way, I'm kinda looking forward to one less responsibility...one less thing to worry about...one less thing to feel guilty about... And that makes me feel even sadder and guiltier. I just think it will take time for me to heal.
I'll miss him...but the girls don't care. Zoe was singing, "Yeah, Apollo gets a new home tomorrow!" and Ava decided that without Apollo she can now go to Chuck E Cheese's. They're young...they see him as a nuisance. I don't. I see him as an amazing dog who happened into the wrong family at the wrong time.
So...it's time to give him his life back.
Love you Apollo...run, play, and bark like crazy!!!
You are definitely doing that right thing, my friend. Most people would not think about any of the feelings you've just described. Sadly, others would just dump him somewhere, or worse. You are definitely the hero in Apollo's life!! He is so very lucky to have had you :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry... That's so sad but
ReplyDeleteprobably for the best. It doesn't make
it any less hard though.
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Thanks, Mika
We gave away our first dog as a married couple a short time after our daughter was born.. The dog was jealous and it got to the point we did not trust her not to bite.. It was a sad day - but she did go to a couple who had land lots and lots of land which is not a common thing in So. Cal.. I remember my husband crying (he never cries - only seen it happen 3 times in 22 years).. I felt bad for him but I also felt relief that I would no longer worry about the dog biting one of us..
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Glad you found a good home! I'm surprised the kids aren't attached, but that'll make it easier for everybody.
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