I will always love you...

June 3, 2013

Dear Readers,

Between you and me, I've never been surrounded by so many dogs of different breeds, shapes, and sizes.  I looked at Michael last night and said, "Two months ago, we had our hands full with two dogren and now we have five in the Seidler Dogdom."  He just shook his head.  "Somehow, we are managing just fine."  I looked at this 6'1" man laying on the floor covered with doggies ... tails wagging, yaps-a-yipping and thought ... "Really??!!"

Finding Huckelberry, gave way to new emotions and thoughts today.  Whatever happened to I will always love you?  Have we become so flippant in our relationships and our responsibilities that we just forget the commitments we solemnly swore to?  I totally understand that circumstances in our lives can throw a wrench in our plans; and, that being said, we need to make some difficult decisions.  But, when we make those decisions shouldn't we think about the ramifications made on those around us including our pets and animals?

Some years ago, I was at a crossroads and needed to find a home for one of my dogs.  Oh, how I grieved over that decision.  Amazingly enough, there was a young lady who was looking for a dog and Callie fit the bill.  They were a match made in heaven.  As things worked out, I could have kept her and I think about that a lot.  I know how much she was and is loved and what a wonderful home she has.  Still, somehow I feel like I let her down.  You see, I'm as guilty as the next one about making decisions regarding pets.  I could add the "BUT, I found her a loving home."   Somehow, whether you're a mom giving up your baby for adoption or a pet mom giving up her baby, it still hurts inside.  Maybe forever...  Maybe I should say ... I will always love you and loved you enough for you to have a better home with people who could give you what I couldn't.

I am becoming more aware of animal abuse since we adopted our first rescue, Kennedy.  I was doing some research and came across some photos of horses who had nearly been starved to death.  My friend, Mary, took in one of those horses and my goodness, look at him now!!  I have no room for horses, pot bellied pigs, and cats because I am allergic to them.  I do have room in my heart and cottage for some small dogs needing a warm bed, some love, and a bowl of kibble.

My friend, Laura, who was the foster mom for Kennedy and Zeke, told me that she thought that rescues were so appreciative of any kindness shown them.  I believe that now.  The rescue we picked up today, sat on my patio table for nearly three hours while I brushed and scissored out matts of fur.  Every now and then, he would lick my nose and stick that left paw up for me to shake.  We'd known each other for only a few hours and he showed me such appreciation for making him more comfortable.  He'd been running scared looking for that someone to save him.  Oh golly, then here came Michael and Dottie and, for some reason, we stopped to help.  The rest?  Well, God saved him for a reason and I'm not sure how our taking him in will play out in the grand scheme of things.  Stay tuned...

Huckleberry won't come in the house unless we lift him up and carry him in.  He won't get up on the furniture preferring to lay quietly on the floor.  He's very submissive even though he is "intact."  Zeke pushes him around while Toby just says, "Come on, let's play!"  I'm not sure what ten year old Sadie thinks about all this commotion!!  Kennedy is sooo insecure ... I keep telling him, "I will love you forever, you're not going anywhere."

My blogs aren't written to chastise others for the decisions they've made.  My gosh oh golly, I've made every wrong decision in the book so I have no right to point fingers.  Still, if what I write can make others think then that's all I want to do.  We all have our "Oh, if only I would have ______."  Maybe we should just think longer and deeper when we make those "I will love you forever" promises.

Always remember, we travel this road of life together living and learning.  AND, know that you are loved and prayed for ... every single one of you, every single day!

Miss Dottie

PS  "Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day.  It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them" ~~John Grogan