Lab Rescue received the below e-mail yesterday from the previous owner of Abe and George. I spoke to the foster home coordinator last evening, who had discussed everything at length with the president of the rescue.
DEAR LAB RESCUE MY NAME IS PAUL ******* AND I AM THE OWNER OF ABE AND GEORGE WHO PLACED THEM WITH YOUR AGENCY FOR ADOPTION. BECAUSE OF FAMILY PRESSURE , I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL AT THE TIME .MY (THIRD TIME IN N2 YEARS) THIS CREATED A HARDSHIP ON MY FAMILY TAKING CARE OF ABE AND GEORGE AS THEY LIVE IN *****COUNTY AND I LIVE IN ***** .IT WAS BECAUSE OF THIS HARDSHIP AND FAMILY PRESSURE THAT I REGRETFULLY PUT MY BOYS UP FOR ADOPTION. I IMMEDIATELY REGRETTED THIS DECISION .
I NOW AM OUT OF HOSPITAL AND GIVEN A CLEAR BILL OF HEALTH ALSO I NOW HAVE SEVERAL PEOPLE WILLING TO TAKE CARE OF ABE AND GEORGE IN CASE I WOULD BECOME SICK IN THE FUTURE .SINCE I HAVE BEEN HOME I MISS MY BOYS GREATLY .I VERY MUCH LOVE ABE AND GEORGE AND MY HOME IS NOT THE SAME WITHOUT THEM .MY WIFE AND I HAVE HAD ABE AND GEORGE SINCE THEY WERE 10 WEEKS OLD MY WIFE PASSED IN 2017 AND NOW MY BOYS ARE GONE .PLEASE FIND IT IN YOUR HEART TO REUNITE ME WITH ABE AND GEORGE ,I LOVE THEM VERY MUCH AND MISS THEIR UNCONDITIONAL LOVE . I AM PRAYING THAT YOU REACH OUT TO ME AND I AM REUNITED WITH MY BOYSReturning Abe and George to their previous owner is being seriously considered. The foster home coordinator is going to reach out to the previous owner today and she will make the decision. I told her that I trusted her to make the best decision. But I am not sure how I feel about it. Of course my first concern is for Abe and George. They needed all their care updated when they first came into the rescue. Also to consider is that Abe is diabetic. Also diagnosed when he came into the rescue. Will the owner be able to afford and give him the care he needs?
What do you think?
I think he should have them back; there appears to be much love there, and that goes a long way. Perhaps some help and support for their care can be arranged?
ReplyDeleteI hope the rescue finds that it will be in their best interest to return them to their previous owner, but it's a big responsibility, isn't it? If the owner's wife died only in 2017, it might be that grieving as well as illness kept him from the attentiveness to their needs they deserved.
ReplyDeleteI've witnessed this situation several times, when there is no other alternative but to rehome your beloved pets, so very sad. If the gentleman now has backup help, and he is able to take care of them, I would say, the dogs will be happy to return home, to what they love and know.
ReplyDeleteIt's a heavy decision, but I'm confident in knowing you will do the best for the boys.
Hugs,
~Jo
That's a tough one. I understand his feelings but the welfare of the dogs comes first. Is there a way for the rescue to do periodic checks to be sure the dogs are being cared for?
ReplyDeleteSending Prayers to help with this decision. It is a hard call.
ReplyDeleteDon't Abe and George have a say?
ReplyDeleteHello, it is a tough decision. I wish the elderly could have some help financially with their pet bills. I know most elderly people would love to keep their pets. I hope it works out for Abe & George and the owner.
ReplyDeleteI hope Abe and George can go back to their owner. It sounds like he didn't want to give them up but was forced to. I hope he really has the means and support to fully care for them now.
ReplyDeleteI am thinking Abe and George were not well when they arrived, and could this happen again? I am thinking maybe they should stay with you for a while longer, and have a stable home, at least until the previous owner is very sure he can manage. Both physically and financially.
ReplyDeleteWe used to do foster care and no matter what the reason the child(ren) were removed, the primary goal of Child & Protective Services is to "fix" the problem & reunify. This man loved the dogs enough to surrender them when he felt he could no longer care for them. I'm guessing that if he loved the dogs enough to surrender them once, he would do it again if the need arose. It sounds like this man analyzed the issue (the need of dog care when he's sick) and took care of the problem (several people will to care for the dogs should the owner get sick again). The dogs are seniors & they didn't reach that old age by being ill-treated. I'd feel good about the dogs going back to their owner.... and I'm guessing the dogs would feel good about it too. That's just my opinion. I'd hope the powers-that-be in your rescue will treat this man with kindness, compassion & understanding when they speak to him. He is more apt to contact you all again, that way, if needed. Love~ Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeleteTough decision. Maybe Abe and George bark because they miss their dad.
ReplyDeleteWhat a turn up for the books. An old cynic would have to say that a man who could write that openly is a man who has something honest and kind about him. Life can sometimes be unfair. As the comment above says if a man can analyze the situation and be willing to surrender them for their own good there's some gravitas to his outlook and actions. A meeting to determine whether he's well enough and would be able to deal with George and Abes health issues would surely be the answer ?
ReplyDeleteWhat a conundrum.
My first gut reaction was that I was so happy the guy wanted his family returned. My second was after reading that they needed medical updates. My daughter's cat needed insulin and I can tell you that was so expensive. I wish there was a way to get insulin for our pets at a reduced rate. Second, as a retired person on a fixed individual I know how difficult it is when your pet gets sick or even keeping shots up. It is a really difficult decision. I'm glad I don't have to make it.
ReplyDeleteI had a similar situation, where the owner surrendered his two elderly labs, for reasons that seemed valid to him. These were such amazing dogs, with a few medical issues, and the dogs were heartbroken to be given away (they had been with the man since they were puppies. He called me every day, sometimes several times a day - and I told him that if he was hoping I would make him feel better about his decision, I could not do that. I believed he was doing the wrong thing, for the wrong reasons, and he should feel bad about it. After three days of crying on the phone, he begged the rescue boss to have the dogs returned. It was a terribly difficult decision, and I wavered right up to the time he appeared at my front door. When these dogs heard his voice, they came to life. In the end, I decided that even if they did not live much longer, one day with their person was worth one year in foster (although we had quickly fallen in love with them). I wish you well in making your decision.
ReplyDeleteIt is really hard. I am with you and am on the fence. I do worry they won't get the care they need if they go home. I also feel the man's love for them. I thinking without talking to him I could not say.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely need to get a guarantee that the former owner can provide medical care, which was lacking before. Plus, where was the help previously? I've been fostering dogs for 20 years and while I don't doubt his love for the dogs, rescue is rightly focused on what is best for the dogs.
ReplyDeleteThat's a tough decision. But we can see how a situation like this could arise.
ReplyDeleteWell, that's a tough one for sure. It sounds like he would really love to have his boys back. If that is the decision, we hope they will be as well card for as they are there with you. Thanks for all that you did for them while they were with you.
ReplyDeleteWoos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber
Oh my goodness. That is a very tough one. I think that a thorough evaluation of whether he has the health and means to take care of them is needed. And to see how Abe and George respond to him. I have a fair bit of hesitation in my heart for giving them back to him but I do think that it should be carefully considered. Diabetes is not an easy thing to provide care for... so that it an important factor. If he can care for them and they seem to love him, perhaps it is for the best? You can see how ambivalent I am... I don't envy whoever is making this decision.
ReplyDeleteWhat a decision to have to make Kim. I know how I'd feel if I had to give up my Lab. - it would be the last possible resort, and only if I couldn't look after her. I'd pray that I had help to look after her.
ReplyDeleteThe poor fellow obviously loved his boys, and with the stress he was under - his wife's death and his own ill health and subsequent hospitalisation, must have made him feel it was the only right thing to do. Not a decision he made lightly, I'm sure. He knew Abe and George would be better off with someone else who would care for them.
It would be interesting, and very emotional, to see how Abe and George react when they meet Paul again. That will be the best indication to form the right decision.
I do hope that it all works out for both boys and Paul - and you, too of course.
oh my gosh. I've read every single comment. and there is a bit of truth and insight in each one! someone said maybe they bark because they're missing their owner. and others have said if he could have them maybe he would trust the rescue if there were ne problems in the future. another said that they might be so thrilled to be back home with him that their lives would be complete even without total health care.
ReplyDeleteand Coppa Girl's last paragraph sums it up.
heartfelt thoughts to you Kim and to the Rescue.
I suspect with the barking issue that it's going to be hard to place these labs in a permanent home. Can he foster his own dogs so they can be cared for medically by the rescue? That's probably the biggest issue.
ReplyDeleteNancy
That is a very difficult decision to make. I agree with Coppa's girl to see how they would react to meeting their original owner. Paul lost his wife 2 years ago and during that time he was ill. I lost my husband a number of years ago and my dogs were a great help emotionally to me. If he can afford the care for his 2 boys, and they still love him, he should have them. They would be a great comfort and support to him. I can't imagine my life without a furry companion.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to the previous owner wanting his friends with him again. At the same time, I understand your concerns. The foster care coordinator will make the right decision and you'll be able to trust that it will be best for dear Abe and George.
ReplyDeleteI believe these boys are loved and would be happy to find their way back home, dogs don't care if you are rich or poor, vet bills are so expensive as a senior on a small pension I don't know how I would cope and my darling dog would not understand why I left him it would break both our hearts, the ties that bind are not forgotten.
ReplyDeleteI have no words of wisdom for this complex issue. But I believe you are doing the right thing in trusting the coordinator to make the best decision for all concerned.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is a tough one. But he seems so genuine, and sometimes circumstances do lead to these things. Sometimes we have to make difficult decisions for our pets and can only hope they are right. We hope and pray the best decision is made for these boys. ♥
ReplyDeleteOh boy. While my heart goes out to the man who had "the Boys," and It breaks my heart to know how hard this is for him to not have them with him. Especially when they are the loves of his life. His comfort and joy. How could you not love those boys. Yes even the barking. I too, have a concern about
ReplyDeletemedical care for the diabetes will cause a serious problem. Especially with the timing of the insulin that is needed. The cost for the insulin. If Rescue can have a meeting with the "helpers" and the owner that would hopefully help with making the decision to return them.
The Boys would be out of control happy to be back with him, as he would be to have them. LABS. We all know what happy happy dogs they are. Pretty emotional. This is so HARD.
Prayers for good decisions being made. Prayers for you Kim. To have peace with the decision. If they go back, I have no doubt that you will be right there if they are to be rehomed if it does not work out again. They won't be going to someone new at that point. They will be going home to You!
Helpful artical.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a well written and informative post.
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