(((hugs))) Kelly

Every step of the way your top concern was doing right by Sara. That is the very best you can do!

Don't look back with regrets. You made decisions and asked questions that have given Sara a new lease on life in a home that will be well prepared to deal with a chronic health issue.

But I know your heart has to hurt like crazy right now. The best decisions are often the hardest.

Oh Kelly, I am so very sorry. However, ALL the advice and input you have received is spot on - you did your best with the information of the moment. Sara found another loving home with someone who obviously has a VERY loving and generous heart.

This sorrow will heal... you did good. I just wish I could ease your sorrow. Hang in there.

Kelly>> I for one will say that there is nothing to feel sad or sorry about.

We must not let our emotions get in way of doing our duties. You could have done the selfish thing by not letting go of your dog because you could feel that you did not abandon her.

But you did what would make HER FEEL BETTER and not what would make you feel better.

You can love and cry for a loved one, that is part of our human experience. There is nothing wrong in feeling sad and even not getting over it ever. It is all a part of the "experience called life".

In a few months or an year ,Next time you see a brown dog, you will smile thinking of the good times you had with sara and you may cry thinking of how much you miss her. Both mean that you love her.

A wise man once told me this:

"If you have felt true love, if you have felt true pain and despair, if you have had a great belly aching laugh, if you have experienced true friendship, if you have felt true betrayal...there is nothing better to aspire for in life."

I am thinking of you and your family Kelly. You did not fail her, you did the hardest thing possible recognized that what was best for Sara was to go to a family that could handle the medical issue that she has. I cannot imagine how hard it was to make that decision but it was the right one. You are a good person.

What an amazing act of love, kindness, compassion, courage and responsibility. Maybe it is just Sara's turn to invite love and smiles to another family, and you were kind enough to share her.
You offered her a chance at a better life, one you knew you couldn't give her. I think that shows true and unselfish love.

Hugs to you and your family. I know it's hard, but you did the right thing.

So sorry to hear about Sara and your family Kelly. IMO you did a wonderful thing; you did what was best for a member of your pack. You gave Sara a new lease on life with obviously a wonderful, caring person.

Thank you, to each and every one of you. Initially, I was afraid to tell our story to LB. I was afraid of hearing the 'you should have an emergency fund for your pets" lecture that so commonly is said, and even I've said it.

Reality is life's a bitch, and we've recently been hit very hard with money troubles, and Richard being done with school, and not able to find a career as a professional firefighter... what was once our emergency fund was depleted a few months back, keeping up on bills.

I don't know why I was afraid to share my sorrows here- somehow, I'd forgotten the generous, caring hearts that are the foundation of everything that is Leerburg. You guys mean so much to me....even though I only know a few of you in person, you are a extended family.

Thank you so much. The comforting words really do me a lot to me, as we struggle with the change in family dynamics of our home in the upcoming days.

I told the kids tonight..... they had a very minimal reaction. Pretty much just an 'ok'. I expect it to hit home (literally) as we go through our normal routines in the next few days, absent of Sara. One of the kids responsibilities is to let both the dogs out of crates, when we get home of an afternoon/evening. This is complete with 'wait' commands leaving the crates. I'm sure that tomorrow night, both the kids will go to my bathroom to release the hounds.... only to find one dog waiting to be free..... It's going to be hard for everyone.



On a brighter note, tonight Koenig played with 'Saint Sophie' (my foster Saint Bernard that my parents now own) for the first time. He REALLY played. Complete with rolling, wrestling, and mouthy biting. I was SO proud of him. He really lacks dog-dog skills, and to see him playing with her so well was pretty dang cool.

Very sorry to hear but at least you know she'll be looked after and good to hear about Koenigs play date!

Aww, it's nice to hear (read?) of Koenig doing well. I hope you got pictures of them playing.

Thanks for sharing about Sara. Hope your kids will follow your example of a person who is willing to care for the needs of others above their own. Grateful for the person who came forward to care for poor Sara and her needs,this does not happen every day,and for your vet who was willing to cover the cost of the services. Refreshing to read stories like this in our society of animal abuse and neglect. Kelly ,you are amazing.