Forever Dogs...Really?
It's been a long week since I last posted. I appreciate your patience. Had some surgery, a hospital admission, and other sundry distractions.
But I'm back and I hope you are, too.
Last time, I talked some of WillE, my young Bloodhound whom I adored and who frustrated me to no end because I, the hound person, could not handle him. He never wanted to go over the fence on a smell or tracking...but he sure wanted to go over to meet other dogs and stretch his legs. As I alluded, he is now a member of South Central Bloodhound Club Rescue and in a fantastic Bloodhound foster home...the boy among multiple girl Bloodhounds....and he is reveling in it. He also gets to stretch his legs "at the cabin" where the dogs run off leash. Boy, do they run!
Here's the reason behind the title of this post: am I a "bad, irresponsible owner" for giving up my Bloodhound? Is anyone and everyone "irresponsible" when they give up a dog? Aren't dogs meant to live with you forever?
Last question first: Yes. Any dog I now personally adopt, I plan and want them to live with me to the end of their lives. This is my PLAN; it is not always my REALITY. My reality with WillE was - he was way too much hound for me, too young and energetic, too strong, and yet I loved him to pieces. So, I used my resources and thank God, a friend of mine knew of SCBCR, a foster home had a spot, and transportation was available (thank you, Pilots N Paws as well as ground transporters). Even though I am a hound person, a young Bloodhound is a whole different animal. Bloodhounds don't get that lazy, porch sleeping reputation till they've worked a lot of years....even though I read, studied, and was sure I was prepared and ready for WillE, I was not. Reading how Bloodhounds can and will go 100 miles in one stretch on a scent is way different from the reality of dealing with that type of drive.
First question next: I was VERY responsible in finding WillE a good home with a reputable rescue who understood his needs and the quirks of the young Bloodhound. I would have kept him forever had I not been able to do this - tough on me but my dog. This is why those of us in rescue are here: for the stray dogs but also for the humans whose lives don't fit the dog they thought was perfect, for the humans who face a terminal or life altering illness which makes caring for their dogs no longer possible, for the dog whose human dies...and who needs a new family.
Second question now: "Irresponsible" owners throw dogs out the windows of cars, dump her in a ditch, don't feed/water/shelter them in cold/heat, breed them to death, don't use their vet....I could go on. Responsible owners understand a dog or any pet is a sentient being capable of feeling pain, loss, love, and seek to enhance the life of their pet while their pet enhances theirs simply by being in their life. However, life throws curves, unexpected tough ones, the hows and whys of which I had a chance to recently address HERE.
Most of us want to enjoy our pets till the end of their days. Some of us overface ourselves, like I did with WillE. It is then our responsibility to seek out a better place for our dog because we CARE. WillE is in a better place than when he was here.
I still love Bloodhounds but I now know what type I need.....
and her name is Ellie Mae - 8 years old, won't climb or jump my fence but plays with my adoptable Bloodhound mix Mandy, Oh, Mandy! Welcome home forever, Ellie Mae!
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