My little foster girl is sleeping soundly after dinner, a short brisk walk, and a little play time. It seems like the perfect time to reflect on what I've learned over the past week and a half. It's been a roller coaster ride for sure. But not one I regret.
- Life is important to me. More so than I realized even though I was the one desperately trying to save an older, sick gerbil several years ago and then sat sobbing on the couch with his little body in my hands after we came home from the vet - he died shortly after I returned home from treatment. Even on our worst days, I looked at that little, canine life I've taken upon myself to help, and although there were moments where I wish I could have strangle her, the preciousness of a life saved from misery and death in a shelter kept me going. - Sometimes, people and animals aren't compatible. Love can grow. But chemistry is not always there. Just as certain people will never click, the same is true for people and animals. Staying in this relationship long term would be like the couple that didn't get a divorce because of other people's expectations. I will not condemn this dog to a life like that. I can love her - I love to watch her grow. I love to watch her develop into a happier canine. I love to watch her health and temperament improve each day, and I will be cheering for her when she finds someone who will love her properly. But I cannot find that missing piece that prevents me from connecting to her. - I cannot be a single dog parent. It is possible that, with the right dog, I would do fine on my own. But I do feel that I am someone that would benefit from support in dog ownership. Especially working from home. You know: 'Honey, could you take the dog out for awhile so I can finish this up?' - High energy, high intensity, and highly active are not the same things. I mistook my high levels of activity for much higher energy than I have. I am a relatively mellow, mid-level energy person most of the time in spite of being extremely active and very intense. She is a high energy dog. I do not have the stamina to keep myself tuned to match her higher energy, which is something I've had to do. - I am not a small breed person. I get nervous because she's so low on the food chain and easily something that would be considered dinner to 90% of the animals living in my area. Temperament wise, I'd have done better with a larger dog that was happy to spend his days playing with his toys on his own or lounging while I worked. The pay off would be plenty of long walks or trips to hiking trails. - Patience. It took awhile. I am not as patient as I thought. I rebelled at first, fought to get my way. Selfish. And ignorant. Harmful to both of us. But the key is - do you continue on this route, or do you reach deeper and find the patience and fortitude to see you both through? Relationships take work and time - I always knew that was the case with people. I had to learn to use this same approach with Pia. Thank you Pia, for the daily lessons and new adventures each and every day. I know they haven't always been good ones, but I feel, that in spite of all of the road bumps, you are a truly special little girl that's been a very important part of my life. We will find you the perfect home with a comfy lap where you will be loved. That is my promise to you. ------------------------------------ We are now on Facebook! Join today! http://www.facebook.com/groups/chihuahuasclubYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chihuahuas/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chihuahuas/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
