Look at Rico! Isn't that the saddest face ever! Meanwhile, Max smiles on!
Today we said goodbye to Rico, our family dog of four years. I'm a little confused by my feelings. I thought surely I would feel relief and elation, yet I've had a very emotional day! Why, I wonder? Wasn't this the same dog who gnawed on my brand new kitchen cabinets? The same dog that could unlink a chain link fence? Wasn't this the same dog that peed on my white clothes I had just sorted for laundering? My frustrations didn't end there. Rico often wandered throughout the neighborhood terrorizing children. Most recently he brought home not one, but a pair of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle slippers. I am certain I have picked up the garbage he snuck into at least a dozen times and spread all over the yard. And didn't I have to fight the kids everyday to play with him-not to mention feed and water him?
Still, seeing him go was bittersweet. Kaiti and Max cried. I cried. My sweet boys happened to be home when the new owners came for Rico. They were so kind to console me. Alex told me it was for the best. Max told me it would be okay. I just wish I could convince Kaiti. It's funny how we grow to love the ones we care for-even if it is reluctantly. Perhaps that is what pure love really is. Loving in spite of faults and mistakes.
Rico's new home is in beautiful St. George where the sun is always warm and he has a fenced yard. More importantly, he has a new owner who loves dogs and was so excited to have him that he drove all the way up here to get him.
Rico's new home is in beautiful St. George where the sun is always warm and he has a fenced yard. More importantly, he has a new owner who loves dogs and was so excited to have him that he drove all the way up here to get him.
My sister once had a goat, Oscar was his name. Her kids loved him dearly. He got "lost" once but somehow found his way back home. At that moment, there happened to be a rainbow....of course, her kids took this as a sign! I'm reminded of that old LDS movie, in my head I keep hearing, "I'll Build you a Rainbow"! However, I don't want to see Rico find his way home! In fact, the new owner called me to tell me they had arrived safely home and Rico was doing well-very thoughtful. But for a minute, I thought Rico had blown yet another audition! I'm glad he has found another family to love him. Here's hoping they will love him as much-no, more than we did.
2 comments:
Julie,
I am sure you left your mark on Rico-he's a better dog because he was a Brakey for a smigeon of time-is that how you spell smigeon? Rhymes with pigeon!? Hmm...anyhow-hope you feel at peace soon! I'm not a dog person either and I think about giving our dog to a new family atleast once a week. Dogs are such a bittersweet roller coaster ride! ;)
Your post reminds me of the book "Marley and Me" My kids LOVED the movie. I'm glad Rico found a good home. Makes me wonder if dogs ever want to come home? We bought a 2 year old dog from an owner who had her since a puppy. I'm always afraid that she will decide that she has had enough of us, and try to go back home. I really enjoyed your Bitter-Sweet Post on Rico, Made me laugh and cry. My kids still are upset that I gave their Hamsters away over 10 years ago. Good Luck.
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