I’ve posted about my sweet, cute, hyper yet cuddly puppy before. There have been comments about how adorable her is and how some of you have been considering getting a puppy yourself. Some have commented that they are a lot of work and that you are not up for it or rather that you have a dog and love him to death.
I love Zero. The girls love Zero. Scott even thinks he’s cute. But, the fact of the matter is that Scott simply cannot be in the same room as him. Even if Zero isn’t in the room with us but he’d been on the couch or the blanket, Scott’s eyes and sinuses knew it. If I cuddled with him for too long or had him in the car with me, my skin would itch and my chest would tighten. I was totally able to just push my allergies off to the side for the love of this sweet little white puppy. But, I grew up with a dog. I helped my dogs deliver their puppies. Growing up, I was our dogs’ favorite. It was worth it to me to have him around.
Scott is not a dog person. For him, just living with allergies was a LOT to ask. Clawing his eyes out and taking allergy medicine did not seem like the way to live. And as you all know, if you are suffering from allergies everything bugs you just a little bit more. Oh, Scott tried to get past the allergies. He took Zyrtec – even bought the big bottle at Costco. But it just wasn’t getting any better. In fact, his allergies were just getting worse. We tried vacuuming more often. Dusting more frequently. Bathing Zero every third day and spraying him with the allergen spray. Sadly, in the end, we just couldn’t do it.
So, Saturday night, cute little Zero made the move to my sister’s house. She has a puppy that is a year older but the same breed. He’ll be happier there and no one will moan about allergies as they leave the room. There is always someone there to play with, that’s his own size (sort of).
But for me, there is a lot of sadness about it. I feel like a failure. To me, I have failed Zero as a pet mommy. I’ve failed the girls in their desire to have a pet. I’m a failure to myself. I am constantly reminding myself, I couldn’t possibly ask Scott to live with allergies. That just didn’t seem fair or loving, but I still feel like I have failed.
Before we took him to my sister’s house, we got him “fixed” because I believe in fixing if you aren’t breeding. We didn’t want to and neither did my sister. The girls asked why he had an operation, and Scott referred them to me. I told them it was so that he’d be healthier. I opted out of explaining that it lessened his chances for cancer and I especially avoided explaining what kind of cancer. I’m kind of a wimp when it comes to talking about boy parts with my 4 and 7 year old. Call me crazy. I just didn’t have it in me.
Here are some cute pictures of Zero in his “cone of shame” and you’ll notice some of the challenges a dog faces when wearing a particularly LARGE cone of shame. Challenges like stairs.
There are tears still being shed. Zero wants to come home any time I’m at my sister’s. But, he’s having a blast and he’ll figure it out that he’s better off being where no one is allergic to him and everyone is happy about being in the same room with him. (Except when he has gas and then he can pretty much clear the whole house not just the room he’s in).
More Wordful Wednesdays are over at Angie’s Seven Clown Circus and at Live and Love Out Loud
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Twitter: Lorelieandrusgmail.com
Zero is an adorable and lucky little pooch to have SO many people love and care for him! You just expanded his family circle and I’m sure he’s happy to have ALL of you to fuss over him… even his “foster sister”.
Ah, that is so sad that you had to give him up. But it sounds like he will be much loved at his new home.
Twitter: brendaparaguay
It must have been hard to give him up, he is adorable!
Twitter: runwithmel
so sad! but such a cute puppy; and at least the girls will still get to see him.
Twitter: 7clowncircus
Zero is SO beautiful.
However, a pet owner that has the pet neutered/spayed is not a failure. A pet owner who finds a loving home for him/her when the one they have isn’t working out is not a failure.
I think you sound like a pretty darn spectacular pet owner.
And, just think of all the dog poop you won’t have to clean up anymore. 🙂
we’re happy to have sweet little zero as a foster dog in our family – and you didn’t fail him as a mom – you’re still his mom and that is clear when you come to visit!
I feel so bad for you – what a hard thing to do. I totally understand. I’m a big puppy dog lover and I don’t know what I’d do without my furbaby. Still, it’s great you can see him now and then and that he has a happy home. He really has the sweetest little face!
Twitter: Alli_n_Son
He looks pretty happy, cone and all.
Twitter: thenagainphoto
Awww. Sad for you, but completely understand. We had to give up our old pooch too. He hated certain members of our family and possibly tried to eliminate them. He loved me and #1 to pieces though so it was hard. Dumb Dad is NOT a dog person either. He never had a pet growing up b/c his parents actually LIED to him and told him he was allergic. He is not. We will try again when The Dudes are a bit older. Maybe one of those hypoallergenic dos would work for you guys? Just a thought!
Amy
Twitter: familytrifecta
Reply:
June 17th, 2010 at 12:05 am
that is hilarious that his parents told him he was allergic. miniature schnauzers are “supposed” to be hypoallergenic but i’m thinking the very rare white ones aren’t as much as the other colors.
Twitter: mami_picture
aww so so cute!!!
Twitter: ErinsMiracles
Aww how sad! But Zero is just adorable! And I’m sure in the long run he’ll be happier!
Twitter: debi9kids
Oh how sad 🙁
As a sufferer of allergies to animals, I totally sympathize with your husband.
We do have 3 dogs and I bought 2 Ionic Breezes and those helped a ton to alleviate my symptoms.
Amy
Twitter: familytrifecta
Reply:
June 17th, 2010 at 12:03 am
My girls keep asking me when I’m going to take daddy to an allergy doctor so their dog can come back home. Maybe we should try the Ionic Breezes.
wow – zero is cute, but allergies are tough! at least you can visit often!
Twitter: MrsCox
Oh 🙁 That’s too bad – Allergies stink!!
Mine’s up here {with linky} http://www.sliceoheaven.us/2010/06/ww-musical-chair.html
Twitter: cortney_plus2
Oh so sad that you had to give up that most adorable thing!! Hoping that the hubs is just as cute and cuddly – ha!
Twitter: buriedwithkids
Awe, what a sweet puppy and I am so sad for you. But I guess in the long run, its better to have a hubby that can breath than a cute puppy.
So sad that you had to let your puppy go. But I too have allergies and it would be hard to live with the constant misery even though I like dogs!