Posted by I could have been a failed dog parent. When I first decided that I wanted to get a dog, I knew I wanted a beagle, despite their supposed loudness and obstinancy. Something about those floppy ears and their spirit just captured me.
I checked Petfinder for weeks and visited shelters a few times. Eventually, I saw a beagle that I thought would be perfect. I went to the shelter several times but was unable to pull the trigger. Finally, I got up one day and decided that was the day to get him. Unfortunately, I arrived 10 minutes too late. Another family was already considering him. I hung around for hours, just devastated that I couldn’t have that one dog. Eventually I asked to see another dog, a 1-year old black lab mix named Fernando. He instantly had me. I took him home that night.
It took only a few days for me to realize I’d made a mistake. Fernando was a beautiful, wonderful dog but he was still very much a puppy and I didn’t have the energy for him. I’m single and work during the day so I wasn’t there to tend to him. Heartbroken at the realization, I called the shelter and asked to return him. Fortunately for both of us, they took him back.
He just wasn’t the right fit. Money was never an issue for him; in just that one week, I spent over $300 on his supplies – adoption fee, food, crate, treats, toys. I even took him to the vet within 3 days of adoption. But he just wasn’t the right fit. When I took him back, I donated all his stuff and sponsored his next adoption.
For the couple weeks after he was gone, my house and my life felt empty. I checked Petfinder everyday, staring at his newly restored profile, wondering if I’d made the right decision. Eventually, his profile disappeared and I called the shelther to confirm that he’d been adopted again.
I tell this story in order to remind us that not every dog who is returned was a bad one and not every owner who returns a dog is a bad person. I made a sad, sad mistake. I still hope and pray that he has a good life and that someone somewhere is giving him everything he deserves, everything that I couldn’t give him.
