Jumping Into The Deep End, An Instruction Manual
Instructions for going off the Deep End, in 8 easy steps:1) Invest your life savings in a boat (granted, it may not drop in value quite as fast as the stock market but it is not going to appreciate no matter how hard you try)
2) Quit your job at a time of impending economic doom (but then stick around much longer than you planned, feeling more like a prisoner than someone in command of her future)
3) Welcome your pregnant teenage daughter back into the home so that she might get her feet under her (instead of dangling from the moon, if you know what I mean)
4) Welcome new baby into the home while teenage daughter is still struggling to find her place in the world and not at all ready to be a parent (where is the maternity leave policy for grandparents anyway?), spend as much time as possible at the hospital with said baby tending to unknown ailments and trying out various medications for gas, reflux, and constipation (oh, and crying!).
5) Encourage teenage daughter to get a job, for her sanity and yours, even if that means a lot of babysitting
6) Volunteer on several boards that suck any remaining time out of your schedule
7) Care for several sick animals in the home, and then, when one of them dies...the final straw:
8) BRING HOME A PUPPY!!!!! *
* No, I did not bring home the puppy. That would be the teen mother who brought home the puppy, because you know, she felt bad for us losing Cocoa and what better way to soothe us than introduce yet another creature that requires much attention, love and nurturing. Arghhhhhhh! I'm afraid I lost my cool. As much love as may have been intended here, I'm afraid I yelled and screamed about never ever giving someone a pet as a surprise gift, and how this was the equivalent of handing over a baby to someone who isn't ready to take care of it. I was nasty and ugly and I feel badly about that, but eventually, the puppy (a beagle...a very cute little 8-week old beagle, but still...) went back to its original home. Whew. That was a close call.
Labels: Baby Spartacus, Insanity, The Animals
posted by Gwynne @ 10:21 AM
7 Comments:
*hugs*
I'm so sorry you feel badly about having to send the puppy back, but it was absolutely the right decision...you have too much on your plate right now.
You'll make it. One day at a time. Keep hanging in there!
Whew, close call. Jen's for a puppy "someday." She knows I was past my limit....
My kids are still after me to get a new puppy after the tragic loss of our pooch last November. I can't do it and don't want to. It's just too much!
So I'm with you. It may be regrettable that you lost your cool, but it also sounds like the point would not have hit home if you hadn't.
I'd probably fly off the handle if a puppy appeared in our house.
Sometimes the right decision isn't always the easiest. My thoughts are with ya!
Don't you just want to shake them sometimes and hope their loose brains rattle back into the proper slot? Then don't you want to scream at them: "JUST ONCE THINK IT THROUGH!"
I'm not a terribly politically correct mother...For instance, when my then-19-year-old and his friends decided to "joust" using bicycles and my son's antique sword collection that was supposed to be locked up, every book tells you to lead the "child" to think he thought of the more reasonable option himself. I confiscated the swords, locked them up in storage, called them all idiots and then told my son he could have the swords back once I see some sign of his brain being plugged in. They're still in storage.
(P.S. When and if you are ready, and only if you want, you can have your choice of Hokie or Abby, free. I offer this, but don't feel bad if you'd rather not get another dog or want to get a dog locally. I thought that you may be able to take on a relatively young dog, already potty trained and screened for as many diseases as possible. Anyway, my e-mail's on my site if and when you're interested.)
Lynellen, no doubt it was the right end, but probably not the right delivery of the message. ;-)
Beau, believe me when I say I understand. Babies and needy animals don't go together.
Jim, with your full plate, I don't blame you.
Rach, thanks! :-)
Sisiggy, but the antique sword jousting is hilarious, you've gotta admit. ;-)
And I seriously entertained your generous offer (Abby and Hokie are beautiful dogs!), even going so far as to show my husband`their pictures which led to some serious discussion, but we've definitely decided to hold off on any new dogs for now. Unless, of course, one were to just show up in our yard. ;-)
If it really is a timing thing and transportation thing...Our nationals are in St. Louis in the spring.
But I understand that it may be premature to even think about another dog. No problem there either. I merely present an option.
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