
It happened...the dog bit at my son.
About a month ago, we seemed fortunate to have received this rescued dog that was two years old, that had been fixed, that had all her shots, that needed a good home and family to take care of her. Her owner wasn't able to give her the attention she needed so with tears, she gave us Bella. It wasn't easy...she wasn't really potty trained yet and preferred to do her "business" on the carpet in our bedroom, that was replaced a year or two ago. But we grew to accept Bella despite her piddles and poos.
But on a fateful night this week, Bella bit at my son, and left a mark and bruise on his cheek. We no longer had confidence that Bella would behave around our children and we made the decision that we could no longer keep her. Her previous owner wanted to be called first if we decided we could not keep Bella so we did, and she came and took Bella. We had Bella for only a month and I was a little emotional when we said a final goodbye. Perhaps it was because Bella had made inroads into our family routine. Perhaps it was because one of my sons woke up every morning calling to Bella. Maybe one month is long enough to be family.
I have been on trips with relative strangers for a week (think camp or mission trips) and they have left lasting marks on my life as, I'm sure, I have left on them. But a month? If Bella was family, would we have let her go?
About a month ago, we seemed fortunate to have received this rescued dog that was two years old, that had been fixed, that had all her shots, that needed a good home and family to take care of her. Her owner wasn't able to give her the attention she needed so with tears, she gave us Bella. It wasn't easy...she wasn't really potty trained yet and preferred to do her "business" on the carpet in our bedroom, that was replaced a year or two ago. But we grew to accept Bella despite her piddles and poos.
But on a fateful night this week, Bella bit at my son, and left a mark and bruise on his cheek. We no longer had confidence that Bella would behave around our children and we made the decision that we could no longer keep her. Her previous owner wanted to be called first if we decided we could not keep Bella so we did, and she came and took Bella. We had Bella for only a month and I was a little emotional when we said a final goodbye. Perhaps it was because Bella had made inroads into our family routine. Perhaps it was because one of my sons woke up every morning calling to Bella. Maybe one month is long enough to be family.
I have been on trips with relative strangers for a week (think camp or mission trips) and they have left lasting marks on my life as, I'm sure, I have left on them. But a month? If Bella was family, would we have let her go?