Good Deeds

I'm not too sure how I feel about this. She has been a part of our family for 6 years. But last weekend, we surrendered Dee Dee to the Humane Society. This was not an easy decision, or one that was made quickly. You see, when we got her, it was just me and Mark. We had just moved to Flin Flon and we were ready for a new start. A few years past and we had Abby. We both knew that if Deeds showed any aggression whatsoever that she would be out the door. But she was an angel. When we brought Abby home, she sniffed the car seat and walked away. Those first months, the most she would ever do was glance in her direction. Once Abby started to move around, Deeds let her climb over her, wrestle with her and even poke her eyes on a couple occasions. When things got too rough, she's groan and walk into her kennel. That was her sanctuary, a place Abby wasn't allowed. When we decided to move, we looked for a new home for Deeds. There was one person who expressed interest but her other dog didn't get along with her so it didn't work out. Just as well. We moved her with us and things were fine. For awhile. Deeds has always been lazy dog, which was always fine, I'm lazy too. And chasing after a pre-schooler and a baby leaves little energy to play with a dog. But lately it was getting worse. She spent all day in her kennel except to go outside, clean the floor after Abby ate (or when she heard me open the cheese packaging) and when Mark got home from work. We didn't walk her, we hardly played with her, we didn't take her to the vet. And when we'd go away for the weekend, we'd have to beg help from our neighbours and friends. Or pack her along. And trust me, she doesn't smell too good - especially in an enclosed truck. So we decided to give her a chance. A chance to find another family. One who can give her the time she deserves. She's not a young dog but she does have a few good years left. Believe me, I'm not naive. I understand she's not a puppy so it's likely I'll never see her on an adoption page. But I'd like to think that somewhere there's a kid who finally wore his parents down with all his begging to get a dog. And they relented with the one condition that the dog they get is already housebroken and proven to be a good and gentle dog, especially around kids. And I'd like to think that as he walks by her kennel, Deeds will lift her head like she does and start wagging her tail. And that little kid will recognize a friend. Just like I did when we first met her I rubbed her belly.