The Good * The Bad * The Ugly

The Good

Last week I received great updates on a couple of former foster dogs and A New Leash on Life graduates. They are doing well in their new homes and the parents couldn't be any happier.

The Bad

Sometimes you have to walk away from a dog you see at the shelter, due to lack of resources. (no foster home available, no money available for medical treatments, ...) In those cases, I always hope that somebody else is able to rescue that dog.

The Ugly

Today is an ugly day. We have a dog that can't be trusted anymore. An incident happened Monday evening and he displayed determination and unwillingness to back off from his aggressive behavior. His foster mom (a dog trainer as well) and I went through the event over and over again and decided very heavy-hearted that we couldn't adopt him out to anybody with a good conscience. As we can't figure out the triggers, he is now a ticking time bomb. The worst part is that he could be fine for a week, a month or for a couple of years. We recommended that the best thing to do would be to humanely euthanize him. We didn't want to bring him to the shelter, where he probably would be put down and he would be alone. I got all my courage together and told his foster mom that I would come along Tuesday afternoon. As with any organization, rescue group, ... there is politics. Politics in this case meant that Ivan's fate was still the same, but was delayed by two days. So instead of Tuesday afternoon, his appointment is now this afternoon at 5pm.

I thought I couldn't feel any crappier - but I can. It certainly doesn't help that he is a gorgeous young animal that is physically perfectly healthy. This morning I went over to his foster mom's as we get together on a weekly basis to work with our own dogs and the fosters. And there he was!!!! Looking happy and being nice!!!! For nothing in the world would I have been able to go over to him. I felt like a Judas - how could I possibly kiss him, when I will be one of them who will accompany him to his death bed?!?!?!?!? Just don't ask me how his foster mom is able to stand it!

Immediately when I came home, I started lighting white candles for him and will light a couple new ones when I will leave to go to the vet - hopefully he will have a good passing.

Ivan - R.I.P.