I'm giving my dog a fantastic life but I'm going to miss him so much

[JunkInMyTrunk]

My lovely gorgeous springer has been offered the chance to go and live with as woodland ranger who is a close friend. He'd be in the woods every day running and jumping about to his hearts content and recieving loads much training and attention than I can.

He'd love it so much and would have a much better quality of life. Friends dog died about a year back and misses having a dog with him at work. I said how much my dog would love a life like that and he said well he can if you want.

But I love him so much, i've had him since he was 8 weeks old and he's my little boy. I know he'd much rather be running thru the woods than in the middle of a housing estate.
Pluss on bonfire night horrible treat or treaters forced my gate and let him out and chased him down the road. And they've tried again since then.

I just don't know if I can let him go???

Should he stay or should he go????

I think you're very brave and doing absolutely the right thing.

Thank you for all your words of support, its made me feel a lot better about the whole thing.

Hi cowmad, afraid he really wants a springer but he's going to ask one of his colleagues instead....I'll pass on his details if hes interested.

thankyou junk...I phoned today,hes still sitting there....wish I could have him...but I just cant.so sad

I think you are an absolute heroine, OP. It would break my heart to lose my springer, but luckily I am able to give him plenty of off-lead exercise. I can see why you made your decision. It must have been so hard.

am crying here reading this (but then I am pg!)
just wanted to say that you are being incredibly brave and selfless and I admire you hugely for that. I KNOW I couldn't do it. I hope your dog and you (eventually) will be very happy.

As someone else said, how about another dog that doesn't need as much exercise - but maybe not just yet. To have given this so much thought, you really deserve to be happy with another dog again ... they bring so much joy don't they?

{hug}

Aaaah thank you, doghouse.

I'd love a smaller dog but i'm not going to look for a while. Need to get thru this first and perhaps think about another dog next year.

Dreading tomorrow, won't get much sleep tonight. Not that I did last but that was due to teething dd2 also full of a cold.

How did it go, Junkinmytrunk? Has he gone to his new home? You are so brave. It's a very selfless thing you've done. Will you get updates on how he's doing from the chap who took him on?

No he's going tomorrow
trying not to think about it tbh. think it will hit me in the morning when i've got to pack his bed and toys up etc..
i've been promised a lovely pic of him sitting in the woods when hes settled so that i can put it in a little frame.
altho hes going he'll always be my baby

God, I'm choked. Do you think you'll be able to go through with it? I think I remember you from your other thread when Toby escaped and was missing for a day or so.

yeah that was toby.
kids have tried a couple of times to force the gate since but fortunately have made it more secure.
at the end of the day its whats best for him altho might just have to leave it to dh to actually hand him over cus i don't think i can.

Ahhh, Junk, I will be thinking of you tomorrow. Good luck.

Thinking of you Junk
Love n' {{hugs}}

Will be thinking of you too

poem by PennySweets

Thank everybody, the poem is truly beautiful. I'm going to print it off and keep it with Toby's picture.

Managed to get thru today in a reasonable state and was determined not to cry in front of him.
He went fine and didn't make a fuss and has settled in well.

He's even learnt to heel this afternoon on his first walk in the woods, I could never get him to heel!
I'm sad but I know Toby is happy and will have the life that was meant for him.

Thank you for looking after me

well done Junk - you are very brave and strong. the poem said it all but figure you can't have too many {hugs}!

Junk
Just wanted to send big hugs - well done for being so brave and selfless - you're truly a good Mummy to put your boy's needs first. Hope you're doing ok xxx

Any more news ... or possibly a pic ?
Well done for letting him go, as others have said maybe you could go and get another dog that needs less exercise from a rescue shelter, that way you will have helped two dogs to lead (no pun intended!) a happier life

A bit late to add this message I know. But we had 3 big dogs (1yr ago) and we had to move to a smaller house. So, we had to rehome the 2 girls (as male was more docile, dd was 1yr old then) and they now have a fantastic life! One lives with a big family, another dog,a cat and a rabbit. That is the perfect life for her as she loves all ppl, children and animals and loves playing. they sent me a pic of her on a trampoline with the kids! The other lives with a middle aged couple and he has his own business working nights. She goes to work with him all the time and has the one to one relationship which she always craved. I made the right decision but it doesnt make it easier. I cried for days and days and still sob now when I think of them. But it was the least selfish thing for me to to even though it broke my heart.
Surely you can visit your dog and stay in contact? xx