If you’ve read my blog for any amount of time, you probably know about obsession with love for my dog Tex and kitty Tony. I gush about them a lot, so it might be a surprise that neither of them is coming with me to Wisconsin. This makes me incredibly sad.
When I moved back into my parents’ house after college, our Great Pyrenees, Hercules, still lived there. Unfortunately, that summer he passed away in a very tragic way, devastating my family. We were in no hurry to get another dog, but my mom and I found joy visiting the pet store to play with puppies. (I realize that pet stores are a sensitive subject and that adopting is always the best option, but I also know that my love for Tex isn’t any less valid because of where I got him.) On one of our first visits to the pet store, we met Tex. Only then, we’d nicknamed him Pepe after my mom’s childhood pet.
On the way to visit that pet store every time for the next four months, we’d wonder aloud if Pepe would still be there. We were happy to see him every time we returned, but also a little sad that he was growing up in a cage in a Pet store. I’m not sure how it happened, but somehow, after visiting him for four months we decided it was meant to be and we were going to get that little Pepe and bring him home to be my dog. He was part of my graduation present from my parents, only I changed his name to Teixeira (yes after the Yankee).
I never thought that I would get a dog, especially a little dog. Before Tex, I didn’t understand the appeal of small dogs. Don’t get me wrong, I thought they were adorable. I just preferred big dogs. But I’ve learned that small dogs are so much easier to care for, but no less loving.
And despite his imperfections, Tex is awesome. He comes mostly when I call him. He stays in our unfenced yard, only leaving to chase the occasional squirrel, or greet a passerby on the sidewalk. He loves the water, but hates when his feet can’t touch the bottom. He is the fastest runner I’ve ever met and loves all squeaky toys. He will retrieve a ball and allow you to forcibly pull it from his clenched jaw to throw it again. He can come, sit, shake, lay down, high-five, speak, and dance but he will be upset if you don’t reward him for his efforts with a dog treat or a piece of cheese.
So obviously, I’m quite upset that the house Jon and I will be living in, in Wisconsin, does not allow pets. It’s the very dark cloud on my horizon; leaving Tex (and Tony) behind. I’m going to miss the fact that every time I sit down on the sofa, Tex immediately sits beside me. I’m going to miss his enthusiastic welcome whenever I come in the door after work or going out. I’m going to miss his cuddle in the mornings too, but mostly I’m just going to miss him.
And I know it’s going to be hard, but I also know that Tex will be happy with my parents. He’ll have the familiarity of his house and his yard. He’ll have two people who love on him all the time (and feed him meat off their plates) and two cats who provide him with countless opportunities to referee cat spats. I also know, that as soon as Jon and I are able to have pets, I’m going to swoop in and take Tex and Tony back. I love my pets, and leaving them is extremely hard, but I do know they’re in good hands, until I can be their mom again.
Have you ever had to leave a pet for any reason? How did you deal with it?
Oh that would just utterly break my heart but it’s understandable. I’m sorry to hear it. I’ve not had to leave my animals but my pug did disappear for 4 years although it had a happy ending and we got him back (I wrote about it on my blog). Good luck to you and they will be home with you again soon!
Thank you! I hope that they’ll be able to live with me by next September. It’s definitely going to break my heart to say goodbye.
Aww, I remember visiting Tex at the pet store with you once, so glad you decided on him! It will be hard to leave them, but you’re right in doing so. You’ll be reunited soon enough
Thanks Shellbs! I forgot that you came here that summer and got to see him at the store! Remember how teeny he was.When he was five months old and we brought him home, he was still only four pounds!
Leaving a pet is the hardest thing to do…I was sort of lucky, in a sad way, when my family moved from Tasmania to ‘Mainland’ Oz. I would have had to leave my beautiful cat, Sylvester, behind. Maybe he knew what was up, because a few months before we left he disappeared into the forest where we lived, never to be seen again. I never really got over it, and yet, was relieved I didn’t have to say goodbye.