So most everyone knows we have a dog. His name is Gus and we got him about 6 years ago. I begged Shawn for him because we were having trouble getting pregnant and I wanted something little to hold and love!
He has been a great dog for us, is well-trained, doesn't shed, and is small enough to pick up.
When we had Adrianna he had a little bit of a hard time adjusting and now is tolerable of her.
He was more tolerable of Eliza! Anyway, since I have been pregnant this time, he is driving me CRAZY! My parents have graciously taken him for about the last week and a half just to give me a break and to see if I would really miss him if we got rid of him.
Here are my reasons for wanting to find another home for him:
1. He barks at EVERYTHING! Even if someone accidentally knocks a table he will bark.
2. He is quite a distraction when I am teaching piano lessons because he won't stop barking
3. He follows me around EVERYWHERE. I can't even go to the bathroom in peace (which I can't with kids anyway) but he sits by the door and whines.
4. The stress level in our house is higher because I am either trying to prevent him from barking or stop him from barking.
5. He costs money..
6. He gets a little snippy with the girls and growls on occasion when they come near him.
7. I'm afraid this baby's first words will be "No gus!"
Here is what I have noticed since he has been on vacation:
1. Our house is more peaceful
2. I only have 2 kids to take care of instead of 3 as of right now.
3. My piano students are able to concentrate better
4. I don't have to listen to barking and whining (from the dog at least)
5. Did I mention our house is calmer?:)
HERE IS THE DILEMMA:
Adrianna LOVES Gus. She keeps asking where he is, when he will be back.
I mentioned that we might find another home for him and she pleaded with me not to. She keeps saying she wants her dog back.
So...do we get rid of him for all the above reasons and for the over-all sanity of our house?
OR...do we keep him so I don't traumatize Adrianna?
It would be very sad to get rid of him because he has been a part of our family for a while. He really is a great dog if you have the patience and time to walk him and love on him. I just don't have the time or energy right now and it's not going to get any better! He is very well-trained and is a very nice companion. I think he would do great in a home with older kids or no kids.
I don't want to take him to the Humane Society and I want to be a little picky on where he goes. I just don't know where to send him.
Any takers?:)
So...what do you think? Please give me your opinion on what you think we should do!
"This is my beloved and this is my friend." Song of Solomon 5:16
Adrianna Grace
7 years old
Eliza Jacquelyn
4 1/2 years old
Caleb Eric Steven
2 1/2 years old
About Me
- BeckyG.
- I am a stay-at-home mom who is loving the every day journey God is guiding me through! I am learning to rely on Christ for my identity and value. I am taking each day as it comes and trusting God to give me grace and joy on this incredible journey!
6 comments:
This is a tough one. My gut says to get rid of the dog. Adrianna will be sad at first, but will eventually be distracted when the new baby arrives. I was reading your blog and thinking, "How does she do it?" I think you're a saint for tolerating Gus for this long. Anyway, that's just my opinion.
We got rid of our Golden Retirever Brittany when I was pregnant with our 3rd baby (the one we lost) She was high maintenance (unbelievably so) and she brought almost no joy to my life. She made it so much more difficult (she was a sweet dog...just needed more attention than a tired Mama could give her) Rachael was almost 4 at the time. She was pretty upset, but it subsided quickly. She still to this day talks about her every once in awhile, but we simply remind her that Brittany needed more love and attention than we could give her.
I have never once regretted the decision. I say, for your well-being and the peace of your household, find him a great new home...perhaps somewhere close where you guys can visit every once in awhile.
Remember, in the end, you are the one who has to deal all day long with the dog...so the decision should be primarily yours!
It sounds like you know what you SHOULD (and deep down WANT) to do...just having a hard time with the IDEA of it. I think the peace of your household (and lower blood pressure) is more important than sentimentality....but that's just me! ;)
I think Adrianna might be sad for a bit but I can see her bouncing back quickly too.
I have the same dog(shihtzu) and the same dillema! When I was pregnant with Elliot I was so ready to have her gone...but Jon was so attached...my allergies are worse during pregnancy and i'm now allergic to her (I wasn't when we got her..but thats a whole nother story)so I wanted her gone so badly when I was pregnant..but we waited. It's more tolerable now but I still consider it often. The hard part is finding somewhere to get rid of her...I thought about asking my vet if he knows of anyone...she'd be perfect for some old lady....or posting it at church somehow. She's a good dog, just hard anymore...especially around kids. So if you get an good ideas on where to take her let me know...we might follow suit!
Hey girl-
Obviously I will be a bit biased because of my lack of enthusiasm when it comes to dogs, but my vote is to find a new home for Gus. After all, every kid has to have some issues regarding their parents to bring up in therapy...Adrianna's might as well be Gus.
Okay, now I'll be serious. If your home is more peaceful and you're less stressed without the dog....you know how to fill in that blank.
Love ya!
It's always sad to loose a dog that has been in the house for so long. I have had Gus here for 2 weeks, and he's been sooooo good. If you need a dog, Gus is the one you need. I however, think my 2 eye infections for the past 2 weeks, might be somehow connected to some allergy. Its a tough decision only you can make in the long run, and I've seen your stress level! You can tell Adrianna that another family wanted to take care of Gus. I'll be praying.
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