Things are looking up!

[Christina and Cooper plus Benny]

So we took everyone's advice and have made little dog number two in the house.  We have stopped allowing him to run the house!  Coop is doing better now and things are starting to feel normal again.  However, we still have a concern with little dog.  This dog has SO much love to give.  He would like to sleep on my pillow every night and loves to come and sit on my lap and be so loving.  We have had to, of course, stop all that behavior.  He is sleeping in his kennel and is no longer allowed up on the bed at all.  So is that fair to little dog?  This dog is truly amazing.  He could be a therapy dog or a wonderful support dog to the person that needs him?   I can't say enough how truly awesome this little guy is.  He is wonderful!  Truly wonderful.

Little dog has now gained 2 whole pounds.  The stairs that used to be so hard for him are now nothing.  He flies up them!  His appetite is healthy and he is making strides every day; he still has 3 or 4 pounds to gain, but I know we are out of the woods now.  Thank goodness!

So now we are doing a lot of deep thinking about what is best for little dog.  Do we keep him and force him to be number two dog?  I am sure he would adapt and live out his years with us being Cooper's second.  Or do we allow him to be the support dog for somebody that really needs a loving soul?   Somebody that would make him number one (like he obviously was at his last house) and allow him to live up to his full loving potential?  (We feel pretty sure his previous owner was an elderly person that he comforted until his or her last day.)

Cooper and he still want nothing to do with each other, and that is kind of sad.  I think Coop is meant to be the only dog in the house.  I had thought he would enjoy having another dog, but I don't think that is meant to be. 

I really want to do what is best for both of these guys, so I have sent little dog's info in to the DRC to see if we can find him a home where he can be all he can be.  I know I will cry when he leaves, but I won't have the guilt of making him be a dog that isn't all he can be - or the guilt of making Cooper dog number two.  We are going to continue to foster and pay all his bills and things, so we won't be taxing the DRC, but I think a home where he is number one dog will make him the happiest. 

I am so happy we rescued little dog and are working to get him healthy.  He wouldn't be here if we didn't, and so I know we saved a sweet sweet soul.  The other thing about little dog that I haven't shared is that we got him because I was wanting to save a life like my life was saved one year ago.  I was on a ventilator one year ago starting on 4/4/11 for 8 days.  I was in for the fight of my life and I made it.  My odds weren't good and if not for the doctors fighting for me, I wouldn't be here (I had a very weird pneumonia - I am only 38 years old, healthy marathon running female - it shouldn't have happened to me, but it did.)   I feel that I owe the world something, and want to do something to help "pay it back."  After a lot of soul searching, we decided perhaps getting little dog to the home that fits him best is the best way to save a life.  In addition, this will allow me to foster other dogs in the future and get them off to their best possible life.  I know we are not the best possible life for little dog - he deserves to have everything and to sleep on somebody's bed at night, and some person out there deserves that too - and so we are going to let him go - but it will have to be to the most special home where he can be number one dog and can have a person that makes him the most he can be much like we do with Coop.  I think in this way, I will have done my small part this year to give back to the world.

I will keep you posted as the adventures of little dog (we call him Benny) continue.  If we don't find that perfect home, he will of course stay with us, but I have a weird feeling there is something more for little dog - somebody that he is meant to comfort and save.  We have our comforting, wonderful dog, it's time to share the doggy love!  :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I can tell that you have given serious thought to whether Benny really fits into your current home/lifestyle/ability to blend him in with all that you are doing and plan to do.  When my mom got her little Bichon -poodle mix and then fell a week or two later, we made the decision that he really needed a home that really could absorb him the best way possible

and we weren't it. He also was a truly loving dog who needed a home where he was wanted for himself (and there is a difference between wanting to do the right thing, wanting the best for the dog, and wanting him in particular). I really understand all this and know there is a perfect home for him out there. The DRC also helped us find that perfect home and we are eternally grateful.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Sorry to hear this, but it sounds right with all that's going on in your lives right now. I know Benny will find a great forever home! Hope BOTH surgeries go well. Keep us posted. You did a great thing saving Benny in the first place and you guys gave it a go. 

[BG and Gavin]

I am sure there is a perfect home on DRC's list waiting for Benny.  He sounds like a dream.  Best thoughts for you and your DH's health.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

You did a great thing to rescue little dog and have made him very adoptable.  It sounds like this is not the best time for a second dog in your life.  Thanks for helping a little dood in trouble.  You and your husband have earned the best surgeons and some Good Luck!