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Aly,
I know how it feels to part with someone special to you. I had a goffins cockatoo, I had her for 4 years. I got her as a handfed baby, it was truly love at first sight with her. Even though she was $900 I had to have her, it was an instant bond for the both of us (and she was from a pet store that I worked at and trusted that only sold tropical fish and handfed, captive born birds, no puppies or kittens). I named her Pica because her and I would play Peek-a-boo at the store while I worked on raising $900 to buy that beautiful white angel baby. When I finally took her home, she fit into my house like she was truly at home. She was my baby, she was my infant, she was my precious angel, she was the most important thing in my life...even more important then my dogs if you can believe that. I noticed that about a month after I got that precious creature that my asthma got a bit worse....then a bit more worse...then I went to different doctors and allergists, after about 3 1/2 years I had to decide....health or Pica...health or Pica....health or Pica. I actually decided I would rather have Pica...until my asthma got so bad that I would take 2 puffs of my inhaler, then 10 minutes later need more puffs. It became a different choice...life or Pica...life or Pica...life or Pica. On my final night with Pica she actually slept with me on my bed all night. We had taken naps together often and she'd preen my face and hair until I fell asleep but on our last night together I let her spend the whole night snuggeling and dreaming with me. It will be those special memories that I will hold in my heart forever.
I ended up making that most painful, dreadful decesion I have ever done. It was harder then putting my beautiful lab to sleep. It was harder then seeing the first stray cat that I saved dart outside and get struck and killed by a car...it was harder then anything I have ever done, and hopefully I will never have to go through that much grief again. I ended up giving Pica to a wonderful stay-home mother who had other birds for Pica to play with. It was the best thing for everyone. Pica got to be with other featherheads, and I got to breath easily.
To rehome a beloved animal may very well be the most dreadful thing and it takes alot of strength and bravery. It took tremendous strength and bravery from me, and it did for you as well. You did it. This was the hardest part, it all gets easier from this point on....and if you can keep in contact with his new owners that's perfect.
I am so sorry you feel so much pain, it's such a crummy feeling...and I so much remember packing up toys and bowls and typing up a decription of the pet and that long drive....I am balling now. Reading your description of the final moments tugs at my heartstrings tremendously.
Aly, my heart sincerely goes out to you in this sad time. I know that it's not sad for the animals, Harley's going to have a blast, and my Pica has a wonderful life now, but it's sure sad you had to make such a painful decesion.
Love,
Leslie
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Hi everyone. I'm still having a hard time with this but I'm trying really hard to act happy for Reece because he gets really upset when I'm upset. I had a lot of good distractions today. My uncle from Chicago is in town. I went with him, my sister, and her roommate to a state park. We brought Reece and he had a really good time. We walked on some wooded trails to a stream with a lot of rocks and small waterfalls. Everyone we passed had to stop and pet Reece. At dusk, we went to this bridge downtown where tons of bats fly out from every evening. Reece was a wimp at first and was shaking. I'm not really sure what he was afraid of but he got quickly adjusted and had a really good time. Everyone wanted to go out to eat dinner but I made them go to Sonic so we could take Reece http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif When we got home, he and Shiloh actually played. She is very trusting of him and rolled on to her back in front of him and batted his face.
I got an email from the woman Harley is staying with and he's doing great. She's treating him wonderfully and I think he's just having the time of his life.
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Aly...This is great news! It sounds like Harley is going to be fine. What a wonderful ending to all of the turmoil. I hope you can still keep in touch with Harley's foster mom and even with his new forever mom when that happens. Reece and Shiloh playing....what a happy mental picture I have in my head!!! That is just wonderful! Maybe you could send us a picture or two. http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif
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Aly,
That's good news. I'm glad Harley's doing well. Take each day one at a time. They say it gets a little easier. You know you did the right thing.
Sue
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Leslie,
What pain you must have felt! My asthma ALMOST caused me to lose my first GSD. Back in the 70's, before all this wonderful asthma medication we have now, I discovered that I was severely allergic to my new GSD puppy. My asthma was so bad. I was sick constantly. Through some extreme good luck, I was introduced to an allergist who agreed to work with me (after I refused to get rid of my puppy!). The treatment worked and after one year of shots, I became tolerant of my dog. It was a long and hard fight, but it was well worth it! Today's medicine keeps my asthma under control. I know how devastating it was to give up your beloved bird. My heart goes out to you.
Sue
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***Save a life, ADOPT***
[This message has been edited by Sudilar (edited April 22, 2001).]
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Aly,
That's good news. I'm glad Harley's doing well. Take each day one at a time. They say it gets a little easier. You know you did the right thing.
Sue
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Rachel your advice really helped me. Every time I think about Harley and the past week, I can't help but cry. So I've been trying to wait until I get in the shower to think about it. Then I just let go and cry. When I get out, I try to regain composure for Shiloh and Reece. My moods affect Reece more than any other dog I've ever seen. Knowing I have to take care of these two helps me be stronger. If I didn't have them, I'd be in a fetal position on the floor.
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Aly, Rachel has excellent advice as always. http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif I'm glad you have Shiloh and Reece to get you through this. Any pet owner can tell stories of how their pets have helped them get through hard times. I may sound a little biased, but I do think poodles are very intuitive. All of mine have shown an incredible sense of when things are wrong and rise to the occasion to cheer me up! Reece sounds like such a sweet, sensitive little guy! Glad you're not on the floor in a fetal position! If you were, though, I'm sure Reece and Shiloh would be laying right next to you trying to get you to play!! That's what my cats and dog do when they see me on the floor! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif
[This message has been edited by Pam (edited April 23, 2001).]
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Aly, you really are being so incredibly brave, and my heart just aches for the pain and saddness you are experiencing. But blessedly, you have Shiloh and Reece there to distract you, NEED you, and comfort you! I too have gotten "on the floor" at times, and over my girls come, running, licking my face and wondering what's wrong?? I've always found the best place to let it all out is in the shower. Just cry all you want, as loudly as you want. There isn't too much greater a pain than the one you are experiencing. Thankfully you have the knowledge that Harley is safe and happy. And, when you are stronger, just think how excited he will be to see you again. Hold tight to Reece and Shiloh. They love you!!!
Leslie. Your story of the beautiful Pica is just heartbreaking. What incredible love. I am sorry you had to lose such a beautiful pet of a lifetime.
[This message has been edited by tatsxxx11 (edited April 23, 2001).]
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Harley is still doing good in the foster home. He is probably going to a home in Washington and will be the only pet. This is probably good because you can't exactly do a dog intro easily from that distance. If he didn't get along with their dog, I'd hate for him to be tossed around even more. He's crazy about water and has been playing with the hose and in the pond. Here are a few pics of him his foster mom sent me today. (His hair is growing back fast. I need to scan some pics I took right after I got him groomed).
http://wsphotofews.excite.com/015/2y/qu/dK/s745088.jpg
http://wsphotofews.excite.com/001/TL/FS/SS/sb82813.jpg
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Oh, Aly, that pic of him up to his arm pits in water is so cute. I alway thought it would be fun to buy one of those wading pools for my dogs, but none of mine want anything to do with water.
He's half way there now. I think you just have to trust this foster mom to make sure he will have a happy loving home. How are you doing? At least as good as he is I hope http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif In other words....be happy!
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The pics are beautiful Aly. And so is Harley. I think they will do everything possible to be certain he is in the BEST home!! I hope you are holding up as well as possible. I think of you so often.
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Beautiful pictures of Harley, he looks like he is having a good time. Nice of his foster Mom to send them to you.
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I've been doing better holding myself together in public. At night it seems to be the hardest because I live alone and have a lot of time to think. Reece and Shiloh do help but they've been so lazy recently, all they want to do is sleep. It must be the hot weather. It was pretty hard on me getting those pictures of Harley today though. I am so nervous because he'll have to fly on a plane to get to his new home. I am also nervous because I won't know the people he's going to. I've been spending extra time at the shelter helping the dogs there because that makes me feel better. I'm getting sooooo attached to a lot of them though. I love getting to know them and spending a lot of time with the dogs who have been there for awhile but at the same time it breaks my heart that people come in only wanting puppies or purebreds and these perfectly wonderful dogs are ignored constantly. I don't have anything against people getting puppies but when that's ALL they'll even consider, I get a little upset. Its funny when people come in wanting "a dog who doesn't shed, bark, have accidents in the house, chew, jump, .." and we tell them we have the perfect one for them and lead them to the beanie baby shelf, hehe. Opps, I just got way off topic. Back to Harley, I miss him to death but I am using this whole experience to help other people too. I've directed a few people to this board in similar situations. I hope they check it for the sake of their animals' safety and happiness.
Thanks all for checking on me. You have all helped so much.
[This message has been edited by aly (edited April 28, 2001).]
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Aly, I was just thinking of you yesterday, and was going to ask if you had heard from Harley's foster mom, so it was great to see these pictures. It seems like he is going to be fine. Hope we can say the same for you! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/biggrin.gif How are Shiloh and Reece doing these days without Harley? Does Reece seem to miss him? I guess Shiloh doesn't. http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif
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Good to hear that Harley is fine in his foster home. Glad to hear you're hangin' in there.
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Aly,
I know you miss Harley terribly, but you have done such a good thing for all of you, and he looks wonderful in the pictures! You'll heal, slowly, but surely, and Reece and Shiloh are there to help you through it!
My thoughts are with you.
Logan
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Pam, Shiloh misses Harley about as much as she misses the vet who spayed her http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif Reece has seemed to miss Harley. He prefers playing with dogs. It takes all my energy to get him to play with me. He will do it sometimes but he mostly just likes to sleep on my lap. I would take him back to doggy day care but he'll only play with a dog if I'm there. When I'm not around, all he'll do is yelp and look for me. I have a feeling I'll be dealing with this seperation anxiety for a long time since he has it so bad. Its gotten a lot better now though. I can actually close the bathroom door once in awhile. Its funny when I open it and see Reece and Shiloh sitting there waiting. I should take a picture of that sometime.
