I feel just awful...

[catnapper]

They threw out about $500 worth of dog food at work today because it expires in December -- they can't sell stale food. So after the store closed, I went home and grabbed hubby, and we drove back to pull bags upon bags of premium dog food out of the dumpster. I'm telling you, we jammed the car full of the stuff! I went door to door asking my neighbors if they could use it.... everyone jumped at the opportunity to take a free 40 pound bag of dog food.

Then I got to Faye's house. I knew she'd be interested in the Large Breed Senior food for Sassy. Poor pup's been having a hard time with the cold this year..... Faye broke out in tears as I excitedly offered her free food. Sassy died last night, in the middle of the night. I felt just AWFUL offering food for her so recently lost pup. I would be devastated if someone offered food for Nicki the same day I lose her. I didn't know what to say, except sorry.... which I said a 100 times over. I also offered to help her find a new pet. She's not sure if she wants a cat or dog, but I can help her.

I just felt so terrible about the whole thing. I was embarassed to offer food for a lost pet (even though I know Faye wasn't upset that I offered.... she told me 100 times that I wouldn't have known about Sassy since she hadn't seen me all day to tell me about it)


Anyway, I just felt compelled to tell this sad story tonight.

PS: Anyone need dog food? I still have a lot of bags.... I'll only keep one for Nicki since I don't want to have expired food on hand myself. But I also couldn't let all that good food lie in waste in the dumpster either!

[caseysmom]

Oh Kim how would you have known...she probably needed to cry and you were probably good to have there to tell her troubles too.

Wow they just throw it out..what about the shelters?

[kimlovescats]

Bless your heart ... but you couldn't have known. Poor lady!
Maybe there is a local rescue, or shelter that you could take it to tomorrow? They might even be willing to come and pick it up?

Good going, Kim!

[critter crazy]

WOW!! all that food just thrown away?? all our stores here send it to the shelters! You are awsome for taking it and handing it out!

You should not feel bad about offering your neighbor some, you had no idea her dog had passed. It is very sad, but definitely not something you should feel bad about! You were doing a great thing! Hope she feels better. RIP Sassy!

[animal_rescue]

Awww RIP Sassy. Don't feel bad though, you didn't know.

Too bad you can't send the food up here, I'm all the way in Indiana.

[Karen]

Contact any shelters or food pantries in town. They could repackage - or you and your family could - repackage it in smaller bags and it could go to families so their pets could have a full tummy at Thanksgiving time, too!

[catnapper]

Karen, you actually are thinking along my lines. Hubby is in charge of the food drive at school. They are buying turkeys and giving full thansgiving meals to 25 families that need it. I asked him to find out how many of those 25 families have dogs, so I could divy out the food and spread it out to the families.

[cyber-sibes]

rest in peace at the bridge, Sassy.
It's very kind of you to rescue all that food & pass it out. And you couldn't have known about your neighbor's dog, I'm sure she's very touched by your generous offer. I know the local rescues and the humane society are always accepting donations of food- I'll bet ones in your local area would be too. Putting it in "food baskets" is a wonderful idea too!

[angelbow20]

How could someone throw out dog food!!!! Im always buying dog food, i have 4 dogs to feed!!! Im sure there is so many shelters and people out there that would love to get free dog food! expecually around this time of year!!! good luck!!!

[dukedogsmom]

How about the shelters? Our Humane Society feeds the animals from donated food only.

That is sad about Sassy. But, you couldn't have known. I would have felt bad, too, though.

[Lizzie]

First of all, good going for pulling all that dog food out of the dumpster. What an appalling waste it would have been when so many need help feeding their dogs. I was going to ask about shelters but that's already been covered.

I can imagine how you felt when your friend broke down, but in a way it was good that she could shed tears with you. When I was about 15, and a very socially inept teen I was, I went door to door for my church asking for donations one autumn. I stopped at a home where I knew the people a little, especially the older son who went to my school. The husband and wife came to the door, looking rather serious and distracted but gave me some money. I felt uncomfortable because I thought they were annoyed with me for calling. The next day I found out that their younger son, who was about 12, had died of leukemia and I'd called at their home just after they got back from the hospital. I don't know how many people told me that I couldn't have known, that I shouldn't feel bad, but I never stopped beating myself up about it.

[jackie]

There was absolutely no way for you to know what had happened.

I have been in a similar situation, asking about a friends baby, only to find out it had died a month earlier. Its a horrible feeling, but at least you were there to help console her a little bit.

((hugs))

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

They just got rid of that food???? Oh my, I would have reacted exactly the same way!
Don't feel bad about your friend; I am sure it felt good for her to talk about her Sassy

[Rachel]

I wonder how many times before they have dumped food like this. Perhaps you could suggest to managment that you would be glad to help by investigating finding a shelter who would be willing to pick it up when they have expired food. Anyway, good job on reacting to the situation. I too, hate to see waste.

[slleipnir]

My friend works in a pet food store. They give the older food to the shelter.