For some reason while I was lying in bed last night I started thinking about “Bear” and his surrender story.
I was lying there looking at valentine sleeping in her bed and thought of what it would be like to have to choose to surrender her.
In my head I always proclaim “I would never surrender my dog, I would rather move or whatever it takes.”
That is what I feel is the right thing to do, anything it takes to keep your member of the family with you.
The reason I was thinking of the “Bear” surrender is because his owners had obviously had him for a long time, much longer than I have had Valentine. I would be willing to bet they had him since a puppy.
Some young guy or girl gets a little black ball of fluff and decided that is going to be his/her dog. That’s it; Bear is now part of the family.
Well Families change and Families grow. The couple decided to have a baby. By this time they have had “Bear” 4 years.
They go through what couples go through when they have a child. The joy, the stress, the good, the bad, and all the time “Bear” is still there. Part of this growing Family.
“Bear” learns as the Baby learns. How to “Sit” “Shake” “Lay” “Stay” and where to go to the bathroom; as the baby learns to walk, say his first words, use the potty, and so on…
A year goes by and Bear and the Baby are both a little older.
The Baby starts having health problems. At first he is having rashes and eye irritation. Then the symptoms progress to breathing problems and nausea.
After several frantic trips to the ER and a few skin tests the results are finally in.
The Baby is allergic to Bear.
Now the couple has to make the Sophie’s choice of the Animal world. Keep the dog or keep the Baby. Dog lovers laugh and say “well the Baby will have a better chance on his own”… yada yada yada. That is really just people trying to be cute.
The reality is that “Bear” has to go for the health and safety of the child. First you try friends and family, then if all else fails you go to WHS.
When I put myself in that situation, I am just devastated. I can’t imagine having to give Valentine up under any circumstances. It kept me up for a while last night.
To think of her wondering when I will be back, waiting for me to take her for a walk, looking for me to lay and watch TV with in the evenings, really breaks my heart. We even go to bed at the same time. I walk to the bedroom and she comes with me then we split, she goes to her bed and I to mine.
When the couple surrendered Bear they even provided a list of his “likes and dislikes” and his “Hobby’s” (which incidentally included watching TV) and then they had to leave their companion of 5 years there at WHS in a fenced cage.
I think about it. They actually had to bring him in to the shelter and leave without him. Leave him there with about 60 other dogs in kennels, turn around, drive home, and return to the house without Bear in it.
When I worked with bear on Saturday he was the perfect Family dog. It is easier to list what he can’t do then a list of all of his tricks. He is a bit overweight, but I think it is because he was spoiled with treats at his old home.
On our behavior scale he is rated a 1 or 2 that is perfect and next to perfect. It is rare that you get a dog in the shelter with that type of temperament. It makes it all the more sad to me. You have this perfect companion that was left in a crazy place with all of this noise, strangers everywhere, and people passing by. He’s just sitting there looking for a family where he can watch TV and lay around, do some tricks for you.
It’s very sad.
As for me… I’m giving up the Kid!
If you would like to volunteer to help dogs like Bear please click HERE
If you are interested in adopting a companion please click HERE
:-(
Posted by: Matt | April 09, 2008 at 03:43 PM
What a nightmare scenario. I'm sure the family - and Bear - were just devastated.
Oy. Gonna go hug my pup now.
Posted by: Lucy | April 10, 2008 at 07:33 AM
I met Bear yesterday and he's awesome!! Sooo soft and sweet and yes, a little round. I can't imagine walking away after living with this big bundle of love after 5 years. Very, very sad :(
Posted by: isabel | April 11, 2008 at 10:07 AM