Today I had to make the biggest sacrifice yet in my pursuit of the travel dream. I had to say goodbye to two of the most important things in my life: my dogs. My babies.
Non-dog lovers and major cynics may as well stop reading now – the slushy stuff will only get worse from here on in. I am nothing if not honest and I always pledged that this blog would reflect every aspect of my life and travels; not simply the rose-tinted and exciting stuff. And believe me when I say I am choked up even writing this. But hey, life is hard. And these are the kind of choices people have to make every day. It sucks, but there it is.
Most of you will know by now that I am moving back in with my parents post-house-sale in order to save up for my big trip next year, but unfortunately they were unwilling and unable to take on the responsibility of also caring for my two dogs. As much as they love them, it’s a big enough undertaking to have me back under their roof after 9 years, so I can fully appreciate their predicament. But these dogs have been my best friends and companions for 6 years. They have been there through good times and bad and they have provided me with comfort in times of sadness. Until you have been a dog owner you can never fully appreciate just how much love and affection cuddly canine pets are willing to give and we so often take it for granted until it is gone. Although my heart has been breaking ever since I had to accept their fate, I knew it was the best thing to do.
The Alternative:
I could have kept the dogs. I could have sold my house, moved into a rented property with a big enough yard for the two of them to play in and stayed in my current job until something else caught my eye. I could have struggled to pay my bills and tried to juggle having a social life with the responsibility of trying to give the dogs the love, time and attention they require (and deserve). I could have taken a couple of weeks’ holiday a year every year until the day they had both sadly passed away.
But unfortunately I wasn’t willing to give up on my dreams. They don’t deserve the resentment I would have felt had I not followed my heart. And neither do I. Nor am I willing to struggle financially for the next several years in order for the three of us to live a mediocre life that is fulfilling none of our requirements.
And so today, upon completion of my house sale and after one of THE most stressful days of my life (and I’ve had some pretty stressful ones), I had to kiss my dogs goodbye and let a lady from the welfare association take them to their new home, where they will be seeing out their days with a lovely retired couple who never go abroad and devote their life to their dogs. I couldn’t be happier, even though a little piece of my heart has been lost forever.
So really, this post is a dedication to them. For providing me with the friendship and companionship to help me become the person I am today – the one that, although confused, still knows that she doesn’t want to settle for less than I deserve. And that I don’t want anyone I care about to have to settle either. Goodbye, my little sweethearts. I’ll miss you more than you will ever know.
This brought a tear to my eye – I totally know the feeling except for with me, it’s my 2 cats. I found out in April that one had diabetes and I ended up putting him to sleep – one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do and something I felt horribly guilty about, afraid I was being incredibly selfish. Still trying to find a home for the other one (and if there’s a silver lining to putting the one to sleep, hopefully it may be easier to find a home for just one cat instead of 2…).
Hopefully you can take comfort in the fact that your dogs are with good people who will love them and give them a great home.
Awww I feel your sadness Julia. (this is going to sound ridiculous) but I had a hamster (my first fluffy pet aged 19 &bought by my boyfriend) for 2 years and when she died I was heartbroken so god only knows how you must be feeling right now. Animals really are an extension of humans so letting go is always hard.
Big hugs to you hun. I’m glad that they’re going to a good home =)
*HUGHUGHUG* I so wish I could give you a big hug right now. I was always afraid of dogs growing up, as I was attacked when I was little. It wasn’t until I met my boyfriend and eventually warmed me up to dogs, and we got one of our own. I’ve grown so attached to my little guy, so I definitely feel your pain.
But know that your puppies are going to a lovely home, and you are fulfilling all of your dreams. It’s so hard, but at the end of the day, you have to go with your gut. February is going to come around sooner than you think!
Thanks so much for your lovely comments, girls. I am so sad to have had to re-home the boys, but I know that they have gone to a loving home and that makes me feel better. And I know they would want me to be happy and pursue my love for travel! 🙂
I feel for you, but I can tell that all the traveling will be worth it. Joining you on your journey from hereon 🙂
That is definitely a TOUGH decision! At least you know that they are going to loving homes and you will be following your heart! Hugs to you!
Welcome on board @theshottingstar! 🙂
@Connie – thank you. They will definitely be loved, but there is still part of me that feels selfish for following my dreams even though I know I shouldn’t.
I can’t imagine having to say goodbye to my dogs. That must have been so difficult. Dogs provide such personalities and joy that love you no matter what you do. They don’t know what mean comment you said to someone or how you cut someone off in traffic. That unconditional love is what makes them such great pets. As you follow your travel dreams, you can certainly know that unconditional love is still there.