DonSimon
08-19-07, 12:27 AM 08-19-07
My wife and I went to the local animal control today with the idea of getting a dog. It is something we have talked about for a while now. We checked out all of the dogs and we saw this one we really liked named Zoe. They took her out and get her to us on a leash to take her to the dog walk area they have so we could get acquainted. She was really sweet, followed commands, had a great disposition. Her size was exactly what we were looking for. We both fell in love and went in to fill out the adoption forms. When we handed them in, the guy asked us the dogs name and an elderly couple in back of us heard us say it. They then say that they had been there earlier today and had picked out Zoe. They had filled out all of their paperwork but the city didn't have their other dog's rabies tag on file so they couldn't complete the adoption. They went home and got the rabies tag to prove that he was up to date. They got back while they were processing our adoption form. The lady who worked their confirmed their story. The manager said that it didn't matter, that they don't hold animals. I talked to the couple and they seemed nice enough and they said they were looking for a companion for their dog who was acting depressed since their other dog died. Zoe was the only dog in a close size range to their dog.
Even though the manager sided with us, I just couldn't do it. I felt the right thing to do was to let them adopt Zoe. I felt I did the right thing but I felt horrible about it. My wife cried the entire ride home. She is mad at me for making the decision that I made. She says that we would have been better pet parents and that I should have gone through with the adoption. Now, I am doubting myself. Did I do the right thing? I keep thinking that if I just kept staring straight ahead, let the guy keep processing the form, Zoe would be running around our back yard now, I'd be ecstatic to have her here and my wife would be happy.
Now, I am afraid of even looking for another dog after today's experience. I was afraid of going there today to start off with. The last time I almost got a dog it got taken away from me (15 years ago, I was 17 and my parents changed their mind about having a dog). I almost think it just isn't meant to be.
Even though the manager sided with us, I just couldn't do it. I felt the right thing to do was to let them adopt Zoe. I felt I did the right thing but I felt horrible about it. My wife cried the entire ride home. She is mad at me for making the decision that I made. She says that we would have been better pet parents and that I should have gone through with the adoption. Now, I am doubting myself. Did I do the right thing? I keep thinking that if I just kept staring straight ahead, let the guy keep processing the form, Zoe would be running around our back yard now, I'd be ecstatic to have her here and my wife would be happy.
Now, I am afraid of even looking for another dog after today's experience. I was afraid of going there today to start off with. The last time I almost got a dog it got taken away from me (15 years ago, I was 17 and my parents changed their mind about having a dog). I almost think it just isn't meant to be.