I've had him for 9 years, he is a sprocker spaniel and the most amazing, loyal, beautiful natured boy. He is well trained and has never caused us any issues.
He's been with me through multiple miscarriage, anxiety and depression. He's been by my side through it all and I love him so much.
Ever since our 1 year old DD was born, he hasn't been himself, he stopped playing, stopped bringing us toys, he mopes around and seems genuinely sad.
He is always gentle with her, I don't let her hassle him, she is allowed to stroke him when we say she can but he seems permanently stressed by the general chaos of the place, the noise, the toys. He has his own corner with his crate, bed, food and water that DD isn't to go near.
I noticed that when we visit my parents on the weekend (they adore him and take him on holiday with them for a week a year, he also stays some weekends if we have plans that means that we will be out of the house for more than a few hours), he starts his playfulness again, he takes himself out to the garden and lays in the sun (we have had to move into a first floor flat for the foreseeable), he is bouncy and playful again, the dog I used to know. As soon as we are home, he reverts back to wanting to be left alone, not interested in his toys etc.
So, my parents offered to rehome him and I've broke my own heart here agreeing to it because he is so much happier. He gets peace and quiet, he gets a garden, he gets undivided attention. I feel so guilty, sad, lost without him but I know (think?!) I'm doing right by him. He is getting old, he has arthritis, I just want him to spend his last however many years happy. We will still see him every weekend, we will be having him when they go abroad etc.
Have I done the right thing here? My heads all over the place.