All-in-all it was a wonderful but emotional Valentine's Day. At work I thoughtfully typed out a very detailed and very charming bio on each dog and included their vet records (after I cut out the "owner" info and the address of the vet). The bios, I think, were wonderful and gave a LOT of charm to Bogie and Cady. When I went to pick up Cady and Bogie at the boarding kennel, they were out in the yard and at first when they saw me they barked once or twice, then they recoginized me and started wiggeling those butts and dancing with excitement! I can't believe they actually recognized me! I was at the fence petting them and telling them that I loved them, and they had a big trip ahead of them. It made me happy, but also made me sad. Here I was preparing on deserting them, just like their former mom did. They obviously were showing signs of loving me, and I was just preparing to be the next person to break their hearts.

Anyway, after paying the boarding fee (hopefully the former mom will pay me back) I loaded them in, and buckeled them in so they stayed out of the driver and passenger seats. Even though I have a minivan, it was still a tight squeeze because I also had Graham and Kersey with me! I then went to my mom's house and picked her up and she brought little Ritzie the shih tzu. So we had mom and I, Graham, Kersey, Cady, Bogie, and Ritz. It was a full car! We then hit the road and in an hour and 1/2 we were at Amy's house, where we just visited for a few minutes before heading back on the road and headed south for close to an hour before we got to the shelter.

It was more emotional then I thought it would be. I unbuckled Cady and Bogie and took them into the "after hours drop-off" area, where they had a room full of cages, which all had very clean water dishes filled with clean water, newspaper lined cages, and a pad lock. There was also a cabinet with both cat and dog food. It was spotless. Absolutely spotless. It was also, surprisingly welcoming, at least I thought so. There were two animals in the drop-off...a little poodle/bichon that was marked down as "agressive", and an absolutely gorgeous ginger kitty who was in the "kitty loaf" pose. The poodle/bichon was incredibly darling but I think just freaked out beyond belief, as he did growl at Amy when she bent down to visit him. None of us could believe that such an adorable little bundle of white fluff could be agressive, but he did indeed growl at Amy. Poor little guy or girl. I bet it was a wonderful dog who was just becide himself with fear, causing him to show agression.

Anyway, we loaded Cady and Bogie up in their clean, paper lined cages and I said my final goodbyes. I didn't know that it would be so hard. Especially with Bogie. I told them to put on their charm, and be patient. The perfect person would come and fall in love with them and give them the retirement that they deserved. It was hard seeing their faces looking at me. They were so upset. They knew where they were. The both came from a shelter, and Cady spent many months in a shelter before she was adopted by her former mom years ago. I am surprised that it hurt as bad as it did. My mom and I both cried. I almost wish Cady and Bogie didn't recognize me when they were in the yard at the kennel, I think it would have made my farewell easier. I just kept thinking to myself, "if it was this hard to leave them at a shelter, just imagine how hard it would be to put them to sleep". I can't imagine how horrible that would have been, so even though it was hard to leave them there, it was easier then putting them to death.

Amy could see what sweet dogs they were. She was in the backseat with them and she was loving on them and petting them and talking to them on our trip to the shelter. Hopefully there will be lots more people who can see what kind, gentle dogs they are and they will get adopted into the perfect homes.

Thank you all so much for all the support and wonderful ideas, everyone. Amy, thank you so much for researching the shelters for me, and finding out about the after-hours drop off, and for going with me to the shelter.

I am now going to give the shelter a call and make sure everything is OK with them this morning. The pad locks didn't lock, so I am a little uneasy. I will feel better once I hear that everything went according to planned.

Bless you all.