coffeejo
Ælfrēd
- Location
- West Somerset
Slightly OT on the subject of giving up dogs, I had to rehome my JRT a few years ago as I couldn't cope with her. We had several wonderful years when I had the smallholding - she was out and about with me and the Lab all day, everyday and was the picture of contentment.
Then I had a breakdown, had to give up the farm animals, and the JRT's dominant instincts came to the fore. Since I was no longer able to be the pack leader, she picked up the role instead. It became a nightmare. Then she vanished and was eventually found two weeks later on the side of a road some eight or nine miles from home. She was the picture of health, having hunted rabbits etc for her grub and covered who knows how many square miles during the time. However, her return made things even worse as the Lab and I, although desperately missing our short-legged lil pal, had come to appreciate the calm and tranquillity of a one-dog household.
A friend of a friend knew someone who wanted a dog for their nine year old girl. Mum worked from home and loved walking so always went on a long detour after walking the kid to school and on the way to picking her again in the afternoon, and the family spent the weekends hiking.
Sounds too perfect? Not at all. This was in the summer. Last thing I heard was that autumn when this friend of a friend had a Halloween party and the New Owners (plus dog) were invited. What's this, no dog? No. The kid and her friends had spent the day playing with her and by the time the evening rolled around, the dog was so knackered she settled herself on the sofa and politely declined all invitations to shift an inch. Just like old times after a day out on the farm.
Sometimes, what seems like the wrong decision - the selfish one - is actually the correct one for all concerned.
Then I had a breakdown, had to give up the farm animals, and the JRT's dominant instincts came to the fore. Since I was no longer able to be the pack leader, she picked up the role instead. It became a nightmare. Then she vanished and was eventually found two weeks later on the side of a road some eight or nine miles from home. She was the picture of health, having hunted rabbits etc for her grub and covered who knows how many square miles during the time. However, her return made things even worse as the Lab and I, although desperately missing our short-legged lil pal, had come to appreciate the calm and tranquillity of a one-dog household.
A friend of a friend knew someone who wanted a dog for their nine year old girl. Mum worked from home and loved walking so always went on a long detour after walking the kid to school and on the way to picking her again in the afternoon, and the family spent the weekends hiking.
Sounds too perfect? Not at all. This was in the summer. Last thing I heard was that autumn when this friend of a friend had a Halloween party and the New Owners (plus dog) were invited. What's this, no dog? No. The kid and her friends had spent the day playing with her and by the time the evening rolled around, the dog was so knackered she settled herself on the sofa and politely declined all invitations to shift an inch. Just like old times after a day out on the farm.
Sometimes, what seems like the wrong decision - the selfish one - is actually the correct one for all concerned.
