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Finding Opie a Home

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Opie’s Backstory

Opie is one of two dogs that I adopted on my last day at my dream job. I was completely devastated and my confidence shattered when I was given from that job. I remember that day clearly. I’m feeling sorry for myself, scrolling Facebook, and our local shelter posts a we are over capacity and are going to have to make room kind of post. I grabbed Gymnast and said, let’s go.

We came home with two dogs, Opie, and puppy Syza. Terrible, terrible decision making on my part. I know this. (And not the first time I went overboard. When I went to get a dog after we moved into this rental home and got permission from the landlord, I came home with 3.) I truly do think I have learned now.

dog opie standing outside on the deck

Back to Opie. He is a German Shepherd mix, about 50 lbs, was about 1 1/2 years old at the time, and heartworm positive. And he was/is scared of everything. But he is crazy smart and super trainable when you are consistent.

(Before I go on, my sister actually came through a year-ish or so ago and took Syza. She had to put down her first fur baby due to old age, and so she wanted a playmate for her other dog. Syza was the perfect temperament and size for her home. And we had house broken and and done basic training. They are living happily ever after together.)

The Now

As I have faced the very reality of not having a home for a while, I knew Opie would need a new home. He’s a very active dog. He prefers to be outdoors no matter the weather. And long periods in the car, anticipating car camping and living for several months at a time. It would just not be a good fit for him.

So the kids and I put it out there to our friends and family networks about Opie wanting a new home. When Beauty and her fiancee moved into their new rental home after Thanksgiving, they decided they wanted him. They literally showed up Christmas Day and said, we want Opie and they took him home. (They already have one outside dog.)

It wasn’t a good fit for whatever reason, and he was back in a week. (No fault of his own.) So we just kept asking.

Lo and behold, a family at our church with two middle school aged boys have been looking for this exact dog – outside, houesebroken, well trained, no aggression, etc. They have a fenced yard. And a strong desire for an active dog. And the mama wanted a beautiful dog. Opie fits the bill to a T.

We’ve been slowly transitioning him. I went over the first day and spent a whole afternoon with the family and him in the backyard. Then again, the next day I stayed about an hour, then left him with them, picking him up at dark. Again and again as he got more comfortable. And they learned about how to handle a dog. He is their first.

Making it official

And tonight (well, as I’m writing this), he will go for a sleep over. Their mama has even come around to letting him sleep in the boys’ room with them. She’s been amazed at how “clean” he is. And no, I haven’t bathed him between visits.

We have already planned a few more visits next week, even taking my two girl dogs over to hang out with them. We want to make sure he is secure and happy. But they literally live a mile from me. I could not have asked for a better family for him…even better than me.

But after tonight, I believe he will stay there full time. However, we are both committed (the family and me, that is) to making this transition as stress free and as easy on him as possible. But it is so clear how much they already love this dog. And as he settles, I know he will love them too. Especially with two boys to grow up with.

 


16 Comments

  • Reply anonymous |

    Hope, you’re a bad person. Full stop.

    You adopt animals and then ditch them when they become inconvenient. Just horrible behavior. Stop bleating about God–he doesn’t want you treated animals this way.

    • Reply Hope |

      Our dogs are so spoiled and well cared for. If I hadn’t adopted Opie when I did, he would have been put down. That was the post the day we went. Still not a wise decision for me. But I’m still learning how to control my heart better.

      If I hadn’t found the most perfect family for Opie, I would have kept him. But I didn’t think it would be fair to him considering how I will be living for the next while. He’s a very active, prefers the outdoors dog.

      As far as Mene and Izzy, the two previous dogs we rehomed…we didn’t go adopt those dogs. They were rehomed or given to us due to other people’s challenges. A military family that Sea Cadet met during his teenage years stint in the Navy Sea Cadet program needed someone to take their dog when they were getting moved and not able to take Mene.

      And Izzy was found in a trash bag at a dumpster as a newborn puppy and was brought to me to “save”. We didn’t go seeking those dogs or make a lifetime commitment to them. We just stepped in when others needed help. I wish we hadn’t had to rehome them, but I am grateful that the families that took them from us were personal friends, well vetted, and we’ve been in touch all this time.

      Our dogs are so loved, so well cared for. I don’t think God has any issue with how our dogs are treated.

  • Reply Kari |

    When you get an animal, I believe you are committing to them their entire life. They aren’t something you get rid of when it’s not convenient any longer. In my opinion, considering this has been an issue for you before, you should never get another dog (or any animal) again!

    • Reply Hope |

      I agree as far as the lifetime commitment. And if I hadn’t found the most perfect family for Opie, I would have kept him. But I didn’t think it would be fair to him considering how I will be living for the next while. He’s a very active, prefers the outdoors dog. (If I hadn’t adopted him when I did, he would have been put down. That was the post the day we went. Still not a wise decision for me. But I’m still learning how to control my heart better.)

      As far as Mene and Izzy, the two previous dogs we rehomed…we didn’t go adopt those dogs. They were rehomed or given to us due to other people’s challenges. A military family that Sea Cadet met during his teenage years stint in the Navy Sea Cadet program needed someone to take their dog when they were getting moved and not able to take Mene.

      And Izzy was found in a trash bag at a dumpster as a newborn puppy and was brought to me to “save”. We didn’t go seeking those dogs or make a lifetime commitment to them. We just stepped in when others needed help. I wish we hadn’t had to rehome them, but I am grateful that the families that took them from us were personal friends, well vetted, and we’ve been in touch all this time.

      • Reply Hannah |

        Hope, adopting a dog on the day your income becomes uncertain is selfish. When you can’t afford to pay your bills, you should never take an animal into the situation. For all you know, someone who was financially and emotionally stable could have come by and adopted him later. I think you expect praise for pretty abhorrent behavior. Please leave animals out of your life going forward. Unfollow the shelters online, you are not doing anyone a service.

        • Reply Hope |

          Yes, agreed. Definitely not my finest or my worst decision. But certainly not one I should have made. And I am 100% agreed on no more animals.
          I don’t need nor expect praise. I don’t love my dogs or my kids and do what I do for them for anyone’s recognition.

  • Reply Anonymous |

    If you plan to live in your car have you researched the logistics of this? Many counties/states do not allow this and you will be forced to move as it is against the law. Will you be paying a campground to park? How will you shower, use the bathroom, refrigerate and cook food?

    • Reply Hope |

      Yes, thoroughly. Because my work is remote. I really just plan to travel quite a bit, see the world ie US as I figure out where I will settle eventually. Right now, I have no plans to “settle” until my mom is gone. I feel like being available to help with her care is far more important. And I think the weight of her needs is one of the main reasons I am struggling with being so far away especially now that the kids don’t need me.

  • Reply Ai |

    Here’s the thing—you can self reflect enough to say getting the dogs when you were newly laid off was a bad decision-/and it was!! Yet here tons of people are telling you what bad decisions you are in the process of making, from continuing to subsidize a child’s rent you cannot afford, to DIY fixing floors, to selling your home, to getting a storage unit, the list goes on. These are all really terrible decisions being made by your heart similar to getting the dogs. Maybe, just maybe God is sending you tons of messages (through these comments) that these decisions are bad and you are too stubborn to listen. This is just beyond frustrating to see someone get lots of good advice and never take it.

  • Reply Elizabeth |

    A perfect home is not a family who has never had a dog before and who intends to keep the animal outside.

    Outdoor dogs should be highly trained and have specific jobs, such as working on a farm or a TRAINED protection job. It’s cruel to have outdoor dogs otherwise – they want to be with their families.

    • Reply Hope |

      He prefers outdoors and the freedom to run. They have a huge fenced backyard.
      They have two boys who take him hiking and play ball with him.
      He sleeps in the boys room with them.
      I did not just give the dog away. I vetted each opportunity that presented itself. I love my dogs, my kids would say more than them.
      Opie is literally living the dream life for him.
      Because of the work I did, training him with food, sit, stay, wait, leave it. Playing with his feet and his mouth. Showing him that I am in charge. And then spending hours and hours with the family before he moved there…teaching them how to care for him, what to do and what not to do, why him laying on his back was important, how to make him wait for food, and so, so much more. They are ready and he is ready.
      And even now, I’m going over and taking his “sister dogs” for play dates so he is comfortable, they are comfortable.
      I don’t just give my dogs away.

  • Reply Katie |

    So, wait. You still have two dogs? What’s happening to them? This car camping future plus multiple dogs doesn’t seem compatible.

    • Reply Hope |

      Yes, Addie who goes with me everywhere and has since she was a puppy. She’s being trained as a hearing dog now. We learned the hard way last March that I can’t hear fire alarms. (I was in bed without my hearing aids.) If my daughter hadn’t been with me, I would have slept through a fire right outside a hotel door. It was scary and brought forth the need for me to start planning for the day when I can’t hear at all even with hearing aids. She is well travelled and literally never leaves my side. Car camping is a natural fit.

      And Cali. She’s my old girl. She eats and sleeps. We are maintaining quality of life over quantity at this point. And she will stay with me until its her time. She will quickly adapt to car camping when it’s time. But for now, she stays in Georgia until the house is sold. She will either be with Princess (I am taking Jake to Texas to Gymnast) or at the boarding facility where she has spent alot of time since she came to live with us. More on that later.

  • Reply anon2 |

    “Opie is one of two dogs that I adopted on my last day at my dream job. I was completely devastated and my confidence shattered when I was given from that job. I remember that day clearly. I’m feeling sorry for myself, scrolling Facebook, and our local shelter posts a we are over capacity and are going to have to make room kind of post. I grabbed Gymnast and said, let’s go.”
    Your response to unemployment was to feel sorry for yourself and adopt a dog.
    NEVER adopt a creature when you don’t know where your next paycheck is coming from.
    It is bad enough that you seem to be self-destructive in your finances- you lucked out and the house turned out to be a good purchase so of course you sell it- but please stop bringing other living creatures into the chaos until you figure out why you do this.
    Sponging off of relatives and living in a car should not be a decision made by a middle-aged person. Take money lessons from your kids who all seem more stable than you, and do them a favor so you aren’t reliant on them after you can no longer rely on your father.

    • Reply Hope |

      “Sponging of relatives” – who?
      My mom requires 24 hour, complete care. She can’t speak, move, feed herself, take care of personal needs. She needs multiple diaper changes a day, to be fed at least twice a day which takes hours to coax her to open her mouth and swallow. And that’s not to mention bathing and changing sheets, the laundry, changing her clothes because they are wet, turning her so she doesn’t get bed sores.
      I go to Texas and stay for weeks because I am able to now that my kids are grown and gone. It’s gives my dad and siblings relief. They have all given up years of their lives.
      I am just now able to do my part. And staying with my dad…I can make sure he eats real food, gets out of the house more, take some of the mental burden.
      Yes, my dad buys groceries while I’m there. I would if he would let me. But I cook, I clean, I care for my mom, and I’m there for my dad.
      I’m not moving to my parents. I’m finally free to be there as long as I’m needed.
      The house sale, just removes that burden from me. Freeing me to chase what’s next.
      And I am thrilled with the chance to get to travel. I’ve longed for it for decades.

      • Reply anon |

        For most people in their 50s… even their 20s, the choice to travel does not involve homelessness.
        If something happens to you and you can’t drive for a bit- even a fall and hurt foot could do this- your homeless situation means family would be responsible for you as you have nowhere to go.
        The plan includes staying with people or living in your car. That means if anything goes wrong with this plan- and what could possibly go wrong- you will be dependent on others. I’m 100% sure this fact has not escaped your family.
        When you count on staying with others and have nowhere to go, you put loved ones in an awkward position because you are not adulting.
        And if that car breaks down, you have no job and bad credit. An apartment in Chicago will never ever happen in this climate. The only car loan you would possibly be able to get would be at a high interest rate IF you even qualified.
        I expect a response that you will get a job in that eventuality, however, look back at years of your own posts. You never keep a job for long and I fail to see any changes you’ve made to improve that track record.
        I think we’d all be interested in the family’s take on this plan?
        Short version- Family knowing you have no safety net is NOT being a responsible adult. It puts stress on them and an implied obligation to let you crash for free if things go awry- which they always seem to do in your life.

So, what do you think ?