No Chance

It has been 4 days since we gave up our family dog for adoption. We decided about a month ago to give Chance away when she started to show aggressive tendencies towards Josie and Owen. It has never been easy to have a dog around toddlers because even at the smallest gesture of excitement, the kids are usually knocked over, scared, crying and Chance is in trouble. I have never been a dog person, but my husband tried his best to make up for it. But with a 1 year old and 2 year old to take care of - even watering the plants seems like too much work some days. Fortunately, we were able to find her the perfect home with an older couple who insisted that she sleep in their room at night.

The thing I am most shocked about is how empty our lives are without her. They are also less messy, less stressful and less work. But I actually miss her. I am not a dog person at all and even though there were times that I didn't like Chance very much, I grew to love her. She also made us feel safe because at the slightest hint of another person or animal, she would bark like crazy (and usually wake a child or worse (me) up). My daughter Josie loves that Chance isn't around to bother her outside. Owen stands at the back window calling her name. Heartbreaking. But we are enjoying the good parts about not having a dog and truly believe she has a much better life. I guess that's the case for any kind of adoption.

Right before Norm and I got married, I stayed with Chance for a week while he was in Europe. It was also Fourth of July. Chance was a wreck because of the fireworks people were letting off in their backyard. I didn't know whether to bring her in the house or leave her outside. She was shaking and wanted nothing to do with me. Finally I brought her and yelled at her to just shut up. Chance went right over to the bride rag doll that I have gotten at one of my bridal showers and started riping the doll into shreds. I was screaming and crying - my mom had gotten those dolls for all of us when my oldest sister got married. It was irreplaceable. But she kept ripping it a part and tearing and stopping and baiting me and growling and running away. Norm walked in from a long flight in Europe to me sobbing. The first thing I did was yell at Norm and tell him this was all his fault for going away. Chance laying next to a demolished doll quietly wagging her tail. I am surprised Norm didn't give both of us away after that.