Thursday, January 7, 2010

DOG-GONE DOG

Tonight, we have one less dog in our household.

Nuala has gone to a new home, where she will be loved, and pampered.

Nuala was my wife's dog, and Momma Bear just didn't have the energy to look after a very enthusiastic puppy. (Even more enthusiastic than Sadie, though not as big!)

We all miss her. But Sadie is forlorn; she just keeps looking for her sister, waiting for Nuala to come out and run around the yard with her.

Sadie is sleeping beside my desk as I write this, one of Nuala's old toys between her paws, her head resting on it. I think I'm almost going to cry.

23 comments:

Renee said...

Oh she must miss her so much. Two puppies are a lot though.

Happy New Year dear friend.

xoxoxo

Frances said...

Well, as someone who grew up with dogs, and still remember the puppy I knew at age 5 or 6, I do know what you are feeling.

Clearly, you have made a wise decision about the beautiful, very energetic and smart twins.

Of course, you are going to lavish attention of the twin that remains with you all through these bleakly cold days of the New Year.

(I would cry, too.)

Bet that the next weeks and months will have you and your wife, and the growing puppy finding even deeper levels of love. Training a clever poodle will bring great joy.

xo

Natalie said...

Too sad....really awful for a twin. Poor Sadie. :(

Annie said...

Aw. I must say that caused a tear here Rob-bear. 6 yrs ago we went to buy a new pup to give our, then 5yr old dog some company. We chose a bitch and brought her home. 2 weeks later I rang the breeder to give her an update and she said she had sold all bar the one little dog pup that had 'chosen' my hubby on our first visit. We decided he was waiting for us so collected him too and when the two little pups met [after 2 weeks apart] they greeted each other like long lost friends. :-)
Time is a great healer and I'm certain Nuala had just the best of starts in life being with you. I'm sure Sadie will benefit from all the extra attention now.
A x

Chris Stovell said...

How very tough for you all, but you've been brave and wise and will get through it. I do feel for you though.

The Blog Fodder said...

I feel bad for Sadie but two big dogs are a bit much.

arosebyanyothername said...

I am sure you have made a good decision, hard though it was.
I think Sadie will be back to her usual self within a few days as she has you for company. Dogs don't usually mourn for long.

Wendy said...

Wise old bear with a big and beautiful heart. Sadie will be ok. Reminds us that our four legged friends are as human as we are, if not more.

Withy Brook said...

With lots of love and attention, I am sure that Sadie will soon be her old self. They do mourn, but not for as long as we do.

Rob-bear said...

Hello, friends: Renee, Frances, Natale, Wipso, Chris, BF, Rose, and Wendy. Thank you so much for your words of comfort and encouragement. I believe that if we are to keep animals as companions, we must be absolutely diligent in their care. If we cannot do that, we should not have animals in our homes. It's not fair to the animals, who are just as important (on a relative scale) as human children.

cheshire wife said...

I am sure that you have done the right thing. Having twins is always hard work regardless of whether they are humans or animals.

Cait O'Connor said...

Two bitches don't usually get on so you may have had problems later on. You have made the caring decision.

mountainear said...

That's tough for all of you and I can feel the empty space in your home. Sure Nuala has gone on to the best of homes - you would not have sanctioned it otherwise.

You are so right about caring for the animals we make companions - or even set to work for us. They deserve respect and the highest level of care.

Lee said...

Owww...

Reasons said...

Oh dear. Not easy. But definately the right decision if they were too much to cope with. Give it a few days, she'll be fine and so will her sister. Hugs from across the frozen pond.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

I think I'll cry with you...poor Sadie...poor you...Hugs, Janine

Renee said...

Is she adjusting yet Rob that little dog.

Love Renee xoxo

GutsyWriter said...

Sorry to hear that. I had to give a dog away once when she started biting my son when he was little. So sad.

Tattieweasle said...

Huge hugs for you all - and you are so right we do have a duty of care. It is still horrid even if you have done the right thing. But perhaps you can have visits in the park? Sounds strange but Tattie's puppies - she had five - drop by for visits with their owners and we go for long walks. Shadow, Tattie's son, is coming over all the way from France this summer.

Rob-bear said...

CW, Cait, mountainear. Lee, Joanne, Jeanine, Renee, Sonia and Tatie: thanks for your continued support. We kmow that Nuala has settled in to her new home, along with two other dogs, two "inside" cats, and two "outside" cats. They have all taken to her very nicely (according to her new mistress), and she to them. It was the right thing for us to have done. Sad, but right.

French Fancy... said...

Oh that is so sad. What a shame - two dogs together are such good company for each other. Does your wife feel a bit guilty or just relieved

CAMILLA said...

Ah dear Bear, must admit I did get a tad tearful when I read about Nuala, but you are a wise Bear and have made the best decision, even though it could not have been easy to make. I am sure the twins will miss each other for a while, but Nuala has gone to another happy home. Good idea of Tattie's that perhaps you can still have visits in the park with Nuala and her new owners.

Rob-bear said...

® FF: J is both, but mostly just very sad.

® Camilla: Sad departure. Nuala is in a different city; doubt that they'll meet an any park. Sigh!