Painted Diva

I can finally talk about it….my broken heart. Those who know me know that I am a huge animal lover. Recently, I had to part with one of my baby boys. Those of you who are animal lovers know that getting rid of one of your animals is just not something that can be done. It is something that you would ever do or would ever think about. I’ve never been in a situation where I  had to think about it. Well, it happened, I was put into that situation. I went back and forth for weeks. It was an emotional roller coaster for me, my family, and my Bentley. It was even harder trying to find a home for him. I knew what he needed and what I was looking. I would accept nothing but the best for him. I told myself I would take as much time as I needed to find him the right home. I was lucky enough to find a great couple who were retired and could spend all their time with him. A couple that had Danes in the past and lost both of their Danes to illness. We did a lot of talking through email at first and each of us asking a lot of questions. Finally, I decided that I would let her come to meet Bentley and if it went well I would let him go home with her. Dogs are so smart and Bentley was even smarter, he know something was going on that day. I tried explaining to him what he could expect in the next few hours. When he heard the knock at the door that afternoon, he barked even louder than I’ve ever heard him bark. He even growled. I honestly think he tried not to like her. She just continued to talk to him and you could tell she was not intimidated one bit by his growling. It really did not take long for him to warm up to her. I could actually tell there was a connection with her to him pretty immediately. That did my heart good. We talked and talked, she showed me pictures of the 2 dogs she currently had, her yard, and play area for the dogs. She was helping me by showing me the pictures. I think I knew just a bit after she arrived and how she interacted with him that I would be allowing her to take over my role in his life. Time had passed and it was time to get him ready to go. I had decided. I gathered up all of his things so that she could take them with her. I did not want him going into a new environment without his baby, his bone, his huge bed, his rope, the bowls we crafted ourselves so that he could eat comfortably, and his shake it. The “shake it” is an old towel that was tied in several knots. He would “shake it” all over. Hence why we called it “the shake it”. I had gathered all of his things and now it was time for goodbye’s. I gave him lots of hugs and kisses, put him on his leash, and walked him out to her car. He got so excited. He loved to go “bye bye” anyway so he was ready to get in that car. He got right in, sat down, and looked at her like “Ok, I am ready to go”. I said a few more goodbye’s…. and off they went. Off I went too.. hurrying my way into the house so that I could cry. Boy did I cry!

The good news…. His new family had promised to keep me updated on his progress and to be sure that he adjusted well. I received the first email just a few days later and he was doing wonderful. He was adapting well to the other dogs, being curious about his surroundings, and sleeping in bed with her every night. Oh yes, he was happy! That is a sure-fire way to Bentley’s heart. Snuggling and letting him sleep in the bed with you were probably his two favorite lazy time things to do.

I was really happy to get another email this evening about his progress. She said that he is quite the character, that he loves running and playing with his toys. She said hi is always by her side and loves to be in bed and snuggle. She said that he is eating well and that she just put advantage on him and he was tested for heart worms and now can start back on the heart worm preventative medications. She said that he just loves to be with them and he is fitting in wonderfully.

I am so glad that I was able to find him a loving home where he could be happy. Although this falls into the category of, one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, I am so thankful that I was able to find such a loving home for him. I feel very lucky.

Although my heart aches and probably forever will I am so thankful for his new family.  I know that he is being his silly self and snuggling often.

I made this song up to sing to my babies while I would be doing my cleaning…

Now you get a mop and I’ll get a broom Puglsey, you get a mop and I’ll get a broom Bo , you get a mop and I’ll get a broom and we’ll all go clean the living room, Puglsey, Bo, and me.

I miss you Bo Bentley  and I can finally talk about it…..