I've been involved in Dog rescue for many years. I've had many foster animals in my home. Carrie and I have played Santa and the Mrs several times for the pet rescue events over the years. I've even been a board member for group. About four years ago, I stumbled upon a puppy in
He is potty trained (maybe an accident once every couple months just because it's hard for him to get out by himself at our home). He loves everybody, especially kids - not to mention everybody that meets Bodey, once they get past the goofy gate, can't help but smile because he gets so excited to meet people. I have been struggling with what is the best for him for awhile now -- unfortunately, our home is not set up the best for him and I find that he often gets lost in the mix sitting in a corner because he can't get around very well - he does a bit better in the grass, but as he grows older, he is becoming less and less mobile no matter what the terrain. I wish we could pack up and move somewhere better for him, but given the economy and our current situation, moving is not an option. If it was just a matter of the physical environment, we could probably make it work – I mean, we have to this point. I sometimes wonder about his quality of life – I guess I had these grand illusions that he would just walk a little different, but still be able to get around – I wonder how he feels these days laying in the same spot for hours at a time until we pick him up to move him to the next spot that he will most likely lay in for several hours. He isn't a small dog either – so carrying him around is a bit more challenging than if he were a yorkie. I know that Carrie is concerned about the amount of effort it takes for her to move him while she is going through this volatile pregnancy – she shouldn't carrying him outside, but when I'm not there (she is the first to get home by an hour or two everyday) she can't just let him sit there after laying inside all day -- He's gotta go outside just as bad as the rest of them. I can't risk anything happening to Carrie or the baby.
I am so torn on what to do with Bodey – I've had to make decisions to have amazing animals put down because of owners that say they will give an animal a home and then decide because things change they no longer have a place in their home. We have three other dogs that we're not getting rid of – Bodey is the one with the most special needs. I think about the fact that soon, I will be the father of a girl with Special needs and will I love her any less because of it? Absolutely not! I feel like such a hypocrite considering sending Bodey to an animal sanctuary to live out his life? I just know that when Gracie arrives, we will be relying on family and friends to take care of our animals while we spend the many hours at the hospital – Asking them to Let the dogs in and out and give them food and water is much less demanding than asking them to carry Bodey out and in and if he steps or lays in his waste to wash him up and carry him back in.
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