Rosie Update 3: Saying No
Our foster dog Rosie, a St. Bernard mutt, returned to the Farnival in October. ICHBA had adopted her out when she was a pup and she was given back as an adolescent. This last return marks the fifth time she’s changed homes in less than a year.
Not many people ask about Rosie. Since she went up for adoption again in October, we’ve only had two inquires.
The first young woman wanted an already-trained-on-a-leash dog, but even after daily walks, Rosie still yanks likes she’s leading a dog sled team. When I explained to the young woman about Rosie’s strength and stubbornness, she instantly said no, they wouldn’t make a good pair.
The second inquiry was from a soldier named Mary. I told her about all of Rosie’s quirks, and Mary seemed willing and anxious to work with her. She spoke knowledgeably about dogs, explaining she had grown up with animals, and was ready for a challenge. When I asked what would happen to Rosie if she got deployed, she said she had several options.
I stewed on our conversation for an entire day. Everything about Mary was perfect. She said she planned to take Rosie for long jogs in the morning and drop her off at a doggie day care while she was on base. She even giggled when I mentioned that Rosie had zero manners, farting burping, and snoring without worrying about who was in the room.
Plus, I didn’t want to say no to a soldier. Mary fought for our country; she was part of what made it possible for me to walk my dogs down a sidewalk in the first place. And I couldn’t help thinking about all those heartwarming YouTube videos of dogs greeting returning troops, not to mention the dozen or so military folks that had helped me search for Adriana when she ran away on the Fort Campbell Military Base.
Later that night, Mason nailed my concerns on the head. “It’s not if she gets deployed, it’s when and how often.”
Right then, I knew we’d be telling a soldier no. Mary was a perfect candidate for a dog, but was she a perfect candidate for Rosie?
After moving from place to place five times, Rosie’s next home must be her last. Because she’s been jostled around so much Rosie picks one person to love hard, but her love borders on dependence a.k.a. separation anxiety. She needs permanence and structure above anything else. I can’t knowingly put Rosie into another temporary situation.
It’s not always easy saying no, especially to a soldier, but the next morning I told ICHBA that Mary wasn’t the right fit