...and then there were 3...

Well tomorrow is Sawyer will be one year old and its been about as long that we have been acquiring puppies in this house.

Last night was the first time one was subtracted from the group.

I got all of Madden's things together and carried him out to the car....the other dogs howled like they somehow knew he was leaving for a little longer than a quick trip to the vet...We had a fairly long drive to Lynnwood...the first 10 minutes he whined, like he always does when he leaves the other pups. But then he settled in on the passenger seat and was quickly alseep. Every time I had to stop at a traffic light or stop sign I would look at his tiny body curled up in fetal position... 'he's never looked cuter', I thought to myself.

Go figure.

I have been living with the idea of Madden moving up north for a few days with the great family we had picked and I knew it was the right thing for him, but it didn't make it much easier.

When we first arrived at the house, everyone was standing around and cooing over him and he clung to my neck and refused to look at anyone, but once we went outside and he saw their great fenced in backyard, he started running around and sniffing everything, tail wagging. Every once in awhile, he'd run back and stand underneath me and look up questioningly...but then he'd start running around. By the time I left, he was making friends with his new family. He whined a little when I was out the door and I hear he cried a bit last night... (probably wondering where his buddies went)

The drive home was longer. I called Shawn, but he couldn't talk. I called home and Dad picked up and assured me that he is little enough still to adjust to a new home and family. I felt a little better.

I opened the door of our old house and the other three were barking and howling. I let them out and they ran around the house last night for hours, chasing and fighing over a blue squeaky ball. I knew I had made the right decision...poor Madden was too little for these games and always ended up on the bottom of the pile.

I know he will be happier in a home where he is the only dog...doted on by several adults with no one mowing him over several times a day...that makes it a little easier.

I have to get used to this letting go- huh? If we are going to breed these dogs, I had better.

You know, before Sawyer, I didn't even think I liked animals and now here I am lamenting over letting one go when I have three bounding around my little house at the moment.

I think its funny. My mom thinks she raised me better - ha! *grin*