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Tuesday, February 24, 2009
AGGGHH.
OK, so here's the deal. Festus the former foster dog terrorizes our cat Mary, right? Mary went missing a couple of weeks ago, and then it turned out she was living under our house to keep out of Festus' way. I hope she's still there because she's not been seen in a few days again. Anyway. So we put Festus the Terror to Cats up for adoption, around the same time Mary went missing the first time. Someone called yesterday and wants him. And here I am in the FREAKING VALLEY OF INDECISION again.
Rationally, I know this is a great home the people are offering him, as an only pet and hiking companion to a family where the dad works from home so he'll always have his people around him. But when he looks at me like that, it's hard to be rational. We're his people!
But Mary!
(But he's cocking his head at me! Mary lives under the house now! He never attacks Smokey!)
But the inconvenience! the having to stash him someplace when people come over! the running off!
(But when we'd put him in the garden - which we won't be able to do in, say, two months - because we had a lot of people over and he got scared by the launching of a substantial battery of model rockets, where did he run when he broke out and could have gone anywhere? Under our porch! This is his home!)
So you can see how it is inside my head. I think T, who looks at this in a matter-of-fact "yes we'll miss him but it's for the best" kind of way but who has left Festus' fate up to me, is wondering who this waffling emotional mess is and what she did with his real wife. I probably will end up calling the guy back today and setting up a time to take Festus to his place, because Mary Was Here First and all. But it's HARD. HELP.
(But he's putting his head on my knee!)
Comments
I am *awful* when it comes to wavering on things like this, so I sympathize!
I think I'd have to go with the "Mary was here first" argument, in the end, if his presence is causing that much trouble-- but then again, I don't have Festus tilting his head at me. It's possible that he and Mary might eventually work something out-- something better than one of them living under the house, that is. On the other hand, that might be something that's almost impossible to train out of him.
Whatever you do, at least you'll know you gave it considerable thought. Like you say, either way, Festus will be with people who'll care about him. Good luck making a decision!
Posted by: Michael at February 24, 2009 11:35 AM
Is it possible to visit him?
Posted by: debi at February 24, 2009 04:39 PM
Do you have some tuna or something good to tempt Miss Mary out from under the house?
Posted by: Cami at February 24, 2009 06:48 PM
I sympathize, but I would take the opportunity to give him another good home. It would be different if you were giving him up to a shelter. Dogs are very adaptable...look how quickly he took to y'all...he'll take to his new owners the same way and they might be more compatible (sp?).
I had to do the same once, and I cried a lot when we had to say goodbye to our dog, although it was a mistake for us to get him.
Take it with a grain of salt, since I know I voted for you to keep him...at least I think I did! Anyway, even though I sound all practical, please know I do sympathize!
last comment til after Easter...taking an internet break..God bless!
Posted by: Denise at February 24, 2009 10:46 PM
PS if you haven't heard of this already, I know you'd enjoy it! http://www.much-ado.net/austenbook/
Posted by: Denise at February 24, 2009 11:15 PM
Hi Rachel,
A very tough decision, I agree! I have both dogs and cats who live together peaceably (most of the time). However, my gut tells me that poor Mary deserves much better than what Festus is doing to her--frightening her out of her home! So, with all due respect to Festus, I vote for Mary. And as someone said, Festus will be with people who care about him and love him; not always as easy to place a cat as it is a dog. Just my two cents!
Posted by: Maureen at February 25, 2009 08:42 AM
If this were me I'd be a total basket case. An emotional wreck. I think you know in your heart what is best. I'm so sorry you have to go through this. ((HUGS))
Posted by: Jennifer at February 26, 2009 10:50 AM
