When good byes come too soon.
Talking about animals here. :'( So, my family is selling the house I live in, and I have to move out. Either to an apartment or else to another state. I really hate change. But what I'm most upset about is losing my fosters and having to re-home them. The chickens came to me origionally to "spend the night" while they were waiting for their coop to be built at their new home. It was a few months after i started the Ayuda Chicken Project (my chicken rescue) but their placement changed their minds at the last minuet. So, my plan was to find a different home for them. but I was never able to find one that i was satisfied with, and I fell in love with them...now I have to let them go. There is a farmed animals sanctuary here in town and I emailed the lady last night (we have talked in the past about animal rescues.) and already this morning she emailed me back saying she will give them a good home at the sanctuary. I feel like my tummy could slip through my toes... :'( I know it will be good for them, but it makes me so sad . If I move to the east coast, it would be really hard on their little bodies. Last time I moved to new England, i did bring a hen with me. She lived for a good long time until our dog managed to get in the hen coop. He's a husky. I just feel so awful. I have been keeping the hens inside all the time here, because I'm afraid of my neighbors poisoning them or something...now they will have to adjust to living outdoors at the farm sanctuary.
And at the same time, it looks like I may have finally found a home for the two border collies I have been fostering since this summer. I generally only have fosters up to two months, but Ive had these little girls a long time and they are so sweet. They love my dogs and my dogs love them But it looks like its time for them to join their forever family soon too. I hope they do not think I've sent them away because they have been bad or something.
I know this is what you sign up for when you foster animals, and I know it Will be good for them...but my heart really hurts. :-\
Guinever and D'Artagnon will go with me where ever I go though. I ADOPTED them and I truly believe in my heart of hearts that when someone adopts and animal they make a commitment to care for and love that animal until it is time for them to return to the earth.I believe that there should be no sacrifice to great to make for the animal. After all, a dog would nobly give its own life for his human companion- I think we owe it to them. And speaking of Guinever and D'Artagnon, I hope they wont be too sad at all the changes, either... at least if we do go to Maine, they will get to meet the dogs i grew up with. That might help them adjust. ???
Zealia, I know it hurts to say good bye but you are doing the right thing. I am glad that you are getting away from your neighbour & won't have to put up with that stress any more.
You are a great foster parent & gave your little ones lots of love....they are better for it.
(((HUG)))
((((((BIG GIANT HUGS))))))))
I'm so sorry Zealia! Saying good bye to a beloved friend is sooooo hard! I'm glad your chickens get to go to a farm sanctuary--they will be really well taken care of--and I'm sure you will find wonderfull homes for your fosters too! Don't forget to take care of yourself thoguh all of this--you're important too!
Much love to you and your critters!
Zealia,
I am so very sorry. Know you are doing the right thing. The chickens will be well taken care of. Hopefully your foster dogs will soon find their forever homes. You have done everything you could by loving them all while in your care. My heart aches for you. After all the problems with your insensitive neighbours and now this.
Please know you are in my thoughts and keep us posted on your move and the the placement of the chickens and foster dogs.
Big hugs to you.
Di
(((((Zealia)))))
I understand your feelings, that has got to be extremely difficult. No doubt those hens and foster dogs had become part of your family. But like Di said, know you are doing the right thing. Maybe the parents in their new forever homes can send you email updates from time to time? Hang in there, girl. I know it's not easy. You are a wonderful person and improved the lives of each of those animals tremendously. I hope your kindess inspired others around you.
Oh hey, I thought you guys might want to see where the hens are going. This is different than the large Farm Sanctuary in that it is not as formal- its mostly family run with a few volunteers. They generate most of the money to support if from selling products made from things like goats milk- So its not vegan, but they don't oppress the animals, or eat them- and when they are too old to produce things like milk or eggs, they just hang out on eh farm. And although people can stop in a visit the farm, its not designed with education in mind--more just providing a home for animals. So, with that in mind, here is the link : http://www.hoofsnhorns.com/thegoatmilkbarn.html I think I'm going to try to make a donation every month, even if its only a small one. Kinda like child support or something... ;)
Oh, Zealia....I can only imagine how difficult it must be to let your friends go. :'(
I'm sure there's not much other than time that will ease the pain...but in your case, there's much more to consider than "remembering the good times" and whatever--you have been such an important part of these animals' lives! where would they be--WHO would they be--without having lived under your loving care?
...I think I'm going to try to make a donation every month, even if its only a small one. Kinda like child support or something... ;)
hehe, that's really a great idea! I'm sure that the hennies' new caretakers would appreciate that very much. and yes, definitely see if you can keep in touch with the doggies' new family, too.
now I don't know anything about chickens' memories, but I am pretty sure the dogs won't soon forget you.
(((BIIIG HUGS)))
That looks like a great place for your chickens VZ. What an awesome person you are.
Zealia, I'm so happy your animals had that precious time with you.
I myself had to say my goodbye today to my parents' dog. I spent a wonderful, wonderful weekend with him over the holidays-- my dogs are best friends with their dog, so they spent four days romping and hiking and playing. Yesterday my parents took their dog to the vet because he had been quite lethargic over the last few days. Turns out he had advanced Lyme disease and his kidneys were already failing. They tried to put him on an antibiotic IV drip, but after about 24 hours of observation, the vets realized there was not much else they could do but put him down. I still can't believe it-- he was only 4 years old. He was such an amazing dog.
Just like your animals, Zealia, I am trying to remember that what is important is the time that he got to spend with my parents, and me and my dogs. It is really sad that his wonderful life was cut short, but the time we all spent together was what I will try to remember these next days.
Zealia, I'm so happy your animals had that precious time with you.
I myself had to say my goodbye today to my parents' dog. I spent a wonderful, wonderful weekend with him over the holidays-- my dogs are best friends with their dog, so they spent four days romping and hiking and playing. Yesterday my parents took their dog to the vet because he had been quite lethargic over the last few days. Turns out he had advanced Lyme disease and his kidneys were already failing. They tried to put him on an antibiotic IV drip, but after about 24 hours of observation, the vets realized there was not much else they could do but put him down. I still can't believe it-- he was only 4 years old. He was such an amazing dog.
Just like your animals, Zealia, I am trying to remember that what is important is the time that he got to spend with my parents, and me and my dogs. It is really sad that his wonderful life was cut short, but the time we all spent together was what I will try to remember these next days.
I am so sorry Sharway. How very sad. You are so right. Try to remember the time you spent together although short. I try to do that with Isabela. Three and a half years of real love. It makes me accept her passing more.
Once again, my deepest sympathies.
Di
Zealia, I'm so happy your animals had that precious time with you.
I myself had to say my goodbye today to my parents' dog. I spent a wonderful, wonderful weekend with him over the holidays-- my dogs are best friends with their dog, so they spent four days romping and hiking and playing. Yesterday my parents took their dog to the vet because he had been quite lethargic over the last few days. Turns out he had advanced Lyme disease and his kidneys were already failing. They tried to put him on an antibiotic IV drip, but after about 24 hours of observation, the vets realized there was not much else they could do but put him down. I still can't believe it-- he was only 4 years old. He was such an amazing dog.
Just like your animals, Zealia, I am trying to remember that what is important is the time that he got to spend with my parents, and me and my dogs. It is really sad that his wonderful life was cut short, but the time we all spent together was what I will try to remember these next days.
Oh sharway, that is sad. I'm sorry to hear it. It sounds like he had a wonderful last few days, though! Sending warm thoughts to you guys!
The farm sanctuary looks great Zealia! I'm sure your hens will be very happy there--and I also think it great that they can make products from the animals without hurting, exploiting or killing them! It's kind of like the animals are helping their helpers help them :) it seems very symbiotic!
Sharway--Im so sorry! ((((((HUGS))))))