If you're ever feeling inadequate as a parent, just refer back this post on my blog, and you'll feel like mother of the year! I don't know what got into me, but during the past few months, I have felt like a dog would be really good for our family and really fun for the girls. I looked online frequently and finally found a darling little malta-poo. She was about 11 weeks old, and I got the impression she was almost fully house-trained.
We went to meet little Roxy, and I fell in love with her! I pressured Blake until he agreed. I knew it would be hard to have a puppy, but I was willing to see it through until she grew into a loyal, loving family dog! I read lots of information online about training and taking care of a puppy. I was ready!
Then Roxy came to live with us, and everything I thought I knew about an indoor puppy flew out the window. She was darling, but the potty-training was an all-day thing. Not only that, I realized that I just wasn't okay with the germs and the dog smell and the accidents that this little cutie was bringing into our home. Why hadn't I thought through all of these things before purchasing this dog! It probably didn't help that I came down with the flu the day after we got Roxy.
To make a long emotional story short, all week I wrestled with the idea of giving her back to her breeder, who was reluctant to sell her in the first place because her family had fallen in love with her too. When I saw my girls hold Roxy and take care of her, I got sick to my stomach thinking about breaking their little hearts. After lots of thinking and struggling, I decided to send Roxy back to her original home, and after she left, I felt like the worst mother on the planet! How could I bring this adorable little puppy home to the girls, and then say, "Never mind. I was just kidding. This dog doesn't really get to be a part of your childhood."
Blake, Hallie, and I were all a wreck the day Roxy left, probably all for different reasons. After Hallie went to sleep that night, I Mapquested Rexburg, Idaho to see how far it was. I was determined to get Roxy back by the time Hallie got home from school the next day.
We were all thinking a little more clearly the next morning, though, and after surprising Hallie with two goldfish and taking her and Lizzie for a little shopping spree to the toy store, everyone felt much better. Hallie and Lizzie still bring up Roxy's name at least once a day and say they want her back, but I have to admit, I'm feeling relieved to know that Roxy's in a good home, and I'm not the one cleaning up after her. She would have been perfect if she didn't have a digestive system. Live and learn, right!
