Fence sitting--- no more - ((looonnnnggg post inside))

C&K*s Mommie wrote: Chris and I sat have been sitting on the fence for a few weeks now, regarding our pup Pepper. We love the mutt dearly, & the girls do as well. But we have decided to let her go. Chris will be asking a co-worker of his if he is interested in taking her, other than that the Humane Society is always willing to take their animals back. I was planning on taking her back Fri, but I could not bring myself to do it.

We have grown attached to her. But she (Pepper) is more of the girls' dog and we are totally happy with that. She will whine to get into bed with the girls when they are down for a nap, and they cannot keep their hands off of her when they are awake.

But that is where the problem comes in, the girls are much too rough with her, {although Pepper is right there taking it all, and coming back for more} for us to watch any longer. We have had talk, after talk with the kids, explaining to them she is a baby, she cannot be handled and treated like that. I get the "yes ma'am's" and "uh's" in response that they understand, but 2 seconds later they are back at it. Pepper does not deserve to be treated like that, when they are other families that may have kids that can love her jsut the same- but without the rough treatment. It may be typical behaviour for small children with new animals (they did not do that with Taison), but we cannot stand by any longer and watch.

Long story short, we know we need to let her go before we grow any more attached to her than we have. And we have grown very attached to her. It breaks my heart to do this, I never really put an animal on a level as she is. Chris and I really want her to stay. So her things are ready to go, and the girls tell me "okay Mommie" when I told them Pepper is going to live with her sister. Christian even made reference that she lives with her sister (Kellie) now. wub: But she does not understand.

We will try again to have another animal (dog) when the girls are older and in school.

BTW thank you Nadia for everything! Your ideas worked on Pepper's end, but the line was broken with the girls, and it is not fair to Pepper. They are never so disobedient as they have been when it came to being rough with the pup. I appreciate the advice, though!!

LilaGrace'sMom replied: Hmmm.....

No other comment except that I hope the coworker agrees to adopt her rather than her having to be returned to the HS.

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: Sorry, Nichole. I know you love Pepper. Maybe when the girls are older.

C&K*s Mommie replied: Yes, we really do love her. Even in this short time-- we have come to love her very much.

mckayleesmom replied: Sorry girl.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: Sorry it didn't work out. Sometimes it is so much trouble having a doggie with little ones.

My3LilMonkeys replied: Sorry that it didn't work out for you.

luvmykids replied: I'm so sorry, but I'm glad you're able to do what's good for Pepper. When they're a little older you can try again.

kimberley replied: sorry it didn't work out but it sounds like it's for the best for all of you.

A&A'smommy replied: I'm SOO sorry I know how it is to give up an animal you care about!!!!!

C&K*s Mommie replied: Bless you all for saying the sweet things you have. TY.

3xsthefun replied: I'm really sorry to hear it didn't work out.

Insanemomof3 replied:

CantWait replied:
Sounds a little condesending.

I'm so sorry Nicole, our animals really do grow on us quickly. I hope that the girls will be ready for another pet in couple years

LilaGrace'sMom replied:
As do you.

ETA: It's interesting that the written word can sound a certain way to someone who is making an assumption.

3_call_me_mama replied: It is unfortunate that this dog may end up homeless.... sure hope your friend takes it.

C&K*s Mommie replied: That may be true. But the Humane Society (from what we were told) does not euthanize thier animals. It may have been a farce, but I choose to believe what they said is the truth. With that in mind, I would rather she have a chance to go to a loving home (like ours) minus the rough play by children, only for her to grow up being skiddish around people or eventually snapping on our girls.

3_call_me_mama replied:
I didn't mean dead. I mean homeless, as in without a family, as in back at the shelter. Hope it works out with your friend.

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: The humane society does not euthanize animals. And if Pepper is still a puppy, she should be re-adopted in no time. Please don't worry about that, Nichole.

C&K*s Mommie replied: I totally understand, I hope it works out with Chris' co-worker as well. But if it doesn't then I have to do what needs to be done for her, not for us. I fell in love with her immediately and she had just turned 6 wks or so around that time. So there is not doubt someone else will fall in love with her as we did.

coasterqueen replied: Nicole. You have to do what you feel is right for everyone.

This is one of the reasons I can't bring myself to get a dog. I'm so afraid of how the girls would do with one. I already have to keep Kylie from tormenting my cats. Luckily they stay away from her.

C&K*s Mommie replied: Thank you for the reassurance Kelly. I am pleased to know from an outside source that what they told us was the truth.

Thank you Karen, this is what is right for Pepper, and we have had to accept it. Thank you!