I have a 5yr old dog named "Justice" that I found on the side of the road when he was a puppy. I was recently forced to move quickly because of an abusive relationship, and my daughter and I are now living with my mom and step-dad. They have dogs already and I cannot keep him with me. I have been working very hard with a local rescue to find him a new home. Meanwhile, he is staying with a friend of a friend. We go to visit him everyday, and he seems scared and confused. My daughter (shes 4) and I both love and miss him so much, we usually both cry when we have to leave him behind. I got a call today from the rescue today, they found him a new home. The people have been screened, and had a home visit, they were approved. Im supposed to drop him off within the next couple of days. How do I explain this to my daughter? How do I tell her she has to say goodbye to him forever? How do I prepare him? How do I say goodbye myself when Im already crying? What should I do?
2007-01-13 20:35:31 · 4 answers · asked by Janelle J 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
how awful for you. unfortunatly for the dog's sake the rescue will probably not let you visit the dog. know that they have found a wonderful home and the new owners will know the proper steps to take so your dog will be safe and happy very soon. that's all the comfort i can provide you on your dog. the dog lives in the moment and will adjust far more easily than you will. as for your daughter just be honest with her, let her know that the dog is going to a great home, she will not be able to visit, but she must know that the dog is very safe. you can ask the rescue if they can get periodic reports on the dog so you can let your daughter know how the dog is doing. but i would not tell your child about this until you actually receive at least one report. due to the circumstances i would hope the rescue would try to accomodate this at least.
as for you, you are a brave and couragous woman. and it's a shame you and your daughter have had to go through so much and now the change of losing your dog. be prepared for your daughter to have some trouble adjusting, but just be honest with her in a way a 4 year old can understand. make sure you take time for yourself and it's ok if she sees you crying. it lets her know it's ok to be sad. explain to her why you're sad and that it's ok. this will help her open up to you about things she's sad about and you can talk through them and she won't keep them all inside and act out in other ways. don't promise your daughter a new dog in the future since you do not know when and if this will be possible. don't lie or tell her things that you don't know for a fact you can do. she's had some pretty tough changes right now and knowing she can trust you is going to be important more than anything. you have made the right choice, you child's safety and your own is above all the most important, and you must stay strong. find a friend or someone you can speak with open and honestly. you are a brave and strong woman and you will come through this fine. and so will your child and dog. best to you.
2007-01-13 20:46:56 · answer #1 · answered by cagney 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's okay to cry. You have to be honest with your daughter. I am sure she knew/knows that things were not right where you were and you are working on making life better for all of you. You have found a safe place you you and her to live and now you have found a safe, loving home for your dog. When we really love something we have to do what's best for them, no matter what. And right now, for the two of you, this is the best action you can take...no matter how hard it is. Make the break clean and quick and don't look back. Everything will work out in the long run. Be safe, be strong!
2007-01-15 08:12:38 · answer #2 · answered by Barbiq 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you talk about your dog.
sometimes i thought that is crazy, but in this cause i agree with you, because you already had 5 years with him, and it's really hard to leave him.
anyway, if you can keep him, that will be good even you stop crying, and avoid the angers of your daughter.
if you'll leave him, invite your daughter to her favorites meal in her best restaurant, let her to enjoy her meal afterthat give her the gooooooooooooooal of the invitation
about dog just bring for him a wife, within two days he will forget about you and your daughter.
2007-01-14 04:57:25 · answer #3 · answered by peace 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
like removing a bandaid do it quickly
the pain will dull over time
im sorry but the best answer would be to work out how to keep the dog at your parents or get your own place
2007-01-14 04:49:26 · answer #4 · answered by jayvader 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋