I need to hear from everyone.....

[Dixie Belle]

The time has come for us to admit....we can't afford everyone. We are going to have to give up Sweet&Sour. This is very hard for me. I have gotten very attached. We have put an add in our newspaper, and I am trying to contact an Animal Rescue Foundation here. I refuse to take them to the pound. We are really hoping that we can find someone to take them both. Please pray for me, it is so hard. I can't even stand to think about giving them away....

[crow_noir]

oh Dixie, i am soooo sorry to hear this!!!! it is hard when you realize financial situations just are demanding the opposite of what you want. you are a very noble and strong person to realize that you just can't afford them. ...some dogs suffer because people just can't let go.

*HUGS* you will be in my thoughts.

[purrley]

Dixie Bell - I can certainly understand this predicament - you've been so wonderful to rescue these poor little guys and I just know you'll find good homes for them. I'm sorry you have to go through having to give them up. That's why I don't like to foster - because I just get so attached - I don't know how these families that foster seeing eye dogs do it. So heart breaking. Bless Ya!!!!

[3-greys-and-a-mutt]

Dixie Belle, I totally understand your struggle. Just tell yourself, that, even though you can't keep them, you did very likely save them from dying of starvation or being hit by a car.

I see dogs every day that I'd like to save. There is a constant supply of greyhounds coming off the tracks, and shelter dogs, pound dogs and strays are so needy. But we can't take in any more at this point. Every day, I think about the young greyhound in Michigan who has been up for adoption for a year-and-a-half. But I know we can't afford him.

We are already 'in the red' alot more than we would be if we didn't have four dogs. We made the commitment to these four dogs that we already have, and know that we would rack up debt, live off mac and cheese, anything it would take to keep them healthy and happy. However, living frugally isn't always enough - if we started adding more pets to the household, we would be concerned that we wouldn't be able to support them all if we have any emergency expenses come up.

I'd love to save them all, but the pockets are only so deep... :(

Last summer, we found a stray and decided to re-home him because he didn't fit in with the other dogs. We put an ad in the newspaper, and got a call from a family the first day. They rushed over to see him, and fell in love. They picked him up at the end of the week, and have been very happy with him! Just make sure that you get a good feeling about the family before you let the dogs go home with them!
Good luck!

Cheryl, I am so sorry about this. I completely and totally understand how you feel and the situation you are in. My heart goes out to you and to Sweet and Sour. You gave a them a chance and saved their lives. You did a wonderful thing. I know you will find them a great home. Because of you they are alive and well. They will make great companions for some loving family.

You are in my thoughts and prayers. Take care Cheryl. We all love you and support whatever you do.

[Dixieland Dancer]

Dixie Belle, You will be in my prayers for strength. I will also pray that Sweet and Sour can stay together. They have been through so much together it would be wonderful if they could stay together. God's blessings on you and all of yours. We are here if you need to talk.

[mugsy]

Mike and I will be thinking of you. It has to be heartwrenching to have to give them up. Mike and I have to say no to anymore for the same reason. With him out of a job it makes feeding them very difficult, but we manage. I'm sure the vet will let the bill float too until Mike gets a job, so that will help too, but I do feel for you. We will pray for a good home for the 2 of them together. I sure wish we lived closer to you so that we could help out the best that we could.

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Cheryl, I am so sorry that you have to make that decision, I know how hard it must be to do that but you can only do so much and you have given them a good start and I know they will make some family very happy. I wish you all the luck in the world finding them a home and as a last resort you might try
"Best Friends Animal Sanctuary", they do take dogs from around the country and they do wonderful rescue.
Jackie

[Karen]

I am a little sad for you, but also glad that you found them in the first place. You have given the a new life. Now they are not the skittish starvelings you found, they're happier, healtheir, more well socialized pups who will end up having a better home because of it! You have done well. Don't feel sad, you have been a miracle-worker in these pups' lives.

[Daisy's Mom]

Oh I am so sorry! This must be so difficult for you. I will pray that your sweeties get adopted by someone close by so that you can visit them.

[tatsxxx11]

Oh Cheryl, I'm so sad that you had to come to that decision. Sad, because I know what a HUGE, loving heart you have, and that you have come to love them so and will miss them terribly. But, as Karen says, you did such a wonderful thing in rescuing these beautiful babies. And knowing you, I am SURE that you will certainly do all in your power to see that they are placed in a forever home where they will be forever loved. And hopefully, and I know this may be the hard part, together. Thank you so much for giving them the start they needed so desperately. And I will be keeping you and beautiful Sweet and Sour in my heart, prayers and thoughts always. What a wonderful, loving person you are :) Please give them a big hug and kiss from me and Cody and Star. Love, Sandra

[ November 12, 2001: Message edited by: tatsxxx11 ]

[crow_noir]

Ditto what Karen said !

[Stenograsaurus]

Everyone on here has expressed everything I was thinking. I just wanted to let you know that you and Sweet and Sour are in my prayers.

[Sudilar]

Ditto what everyone else has said. I pray that you find a wonderful new home for them. Good luck. You'll be in my thoughts!

[ktreva52]

Oh, Dixie Belle, what a heartbreaking thing to have to do. But, the others are right, at least they have hope which they didn't have before you saved them. Best of luck finding a new forever home for them. Prayers and hugs to you and your hubby for taking them in in the first place and giving them a new start. Please keep us posted on how the search is going.

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Oh Dixie, what a very hard thing to do. I hope you can find a very loving home for your sweet babies! I'm sure you will! I will keep you, your furkidz, and your family, in my hopes and prayers. Good luck! ;)

Sarah & Sadie*

[delidog]

oh dixie...i know how hard this is for you....but take comfort in the fact that you saved them....and now you will find them good forever homes....they had been left to starve,linger and die...you prevented this....if you find that it is taking too long....find a no kill shelter in your area and take them there...i say this only as a last resort!!! you have done the right thing!!!!be proud!!! :)

[Violet]

I'm so sorry to hear about this. At least you'll know that they are going somewhere where someone will love and protect them. Good luck on finding a new home for them. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[AdoreMyDogs]

I am so sorry about the puppies. You may have to say goodbye to them soon, but you gave them a great gift...the gift of unconditional love for the first time in their lives. They probablly would not even be alive had you not found them, fattened them up and showered them with love. You have already done SOOO much for those kids. The next step will be hard, but I know they will be ever grateful to you. Good luck finding a perfect forever home, and good luck getting them adopted together.

[Golden Smiles]

:( Dixie...........it's hard for us to admit that our hearts are bigger than our pocket books! But..you have to look at the bright side, these babies were saved, loved and feed by you and I'm sure you will find them a GREAT home!! Please don't be so hard on yourself!! Would they have been better off to just ignore their needs from the beginning??

[TheAntiPam]

You made a difference. Don't ever forget that! You made a difference to those sweetie pups, and you made a difference to all the PetTalkers that read about them. :) :)

[Dixie Belle]

We have had a few calls about them so far. Some people don't want them because one is a boy and one is a girl. Some say they are to big. One lady wanted us to deliver them to her...the way she was acting, we are afraid that she wants to sell them to a lap.

But one man has called and said that if no one takes them by Friday, he would like to come up and see them. He raises champion Chinese pugs for a living. He lives on fourty acres of land, and has been wanting some bigger dogs to run around and chase off rabbits and stuff. Jeremy said that just talking to the man, it sounded like heaven for the two of them. The man knows their story, knows their sex, and doesn't care. He just wants them to run around and help him keep rodents out of his yard.

We are hoping that maybe we have a match with him. Of course, we will have to wait and see how the pups act around him, and he with them. I will let you all know what happens. Please, keep your fingers crossed.

[delidog]

that sounds like a great home for them...i agree the lady who doesn't even want to see tham and wants them "delivered" makes me very nervous!!!!! being houndies they will love a big area to run and chase rodents,etc!!!! and hopefully there aren't any major roads near the farm!!!good luck!!!!the deli dog ;) :)

[purrley]

Dixie - sound like you're screening the potential parents really well - I agree with the one that wants them delivered - no good!!! I just know they'll go to the right people - good job!!!!!

[karen israel]

I hope all works out on Friday! Sounds perfect for them! I'll keep my fingers crossed! Please keep us posted! Love, Karen