Sad Day

We've had our dog, affectionately known as Mr. Puppykins, for about 3 years. We adopted him from the Humane Society and he is my original baby. Before I had Little Man, I dressed him in outfits, holiday-themed bandannas, and even once, a Halloween costume. He only had the best (read: most expensive) dog food, complete with "Life Bits," and whatever gourmet doggie treats he desired. He had his own Christmas stocking, we wrapped presents for him and took him on vacations. He was part of the family in every single way.

But, for about the past year I have been feeling increasingly guilty. You see, Mr. Puppykins has a nasty habit. He bites. Ferociously. He tries to attack nearly every bystander we encounter on walks and God forbid you actually try to enter our home. He's actually bitten two people, and attempted to bite more people than I can count. His behavior has always been a bit embarrassing, but the Humane Society told us that he was abused before we took him and I've always excused his behavior with this fact.

We've been struggling with his behavior nearly since we adopted him. I have read all the Dog Whisperer books and took two dog training classes. We've taken him on long walks, and practiced all the skills they taught us in obedience school. He can sit, stay, shake, and yet he still wants to take a bite out of any passing stranger. He barks relentlessly when we have anyone in our home and will try to attack even our family members.

And today he tried to bite Little Man. That was the last straw.

Mr. Puppykins has been living with my parents for the past couple months. The Smartest Man Alive injured a disc in his back shortly after Little Man was born. With an infant and injured husband to take care of, there just wasn't enough time to watch over a dog who may or may not bite the baby or any number of visitors. But, today Mr. Puppykins came home and it wasn't even an hour before he tried to bite Little Man's fingers while my dad was holding him. He jumped up on the high chair and eyed Little Man with a little too much attention for my liking.

We've been looking for a new home for a few months because we knew that my parents would never be able to keep him permanently and we've always been worried about mixing the dog with the baby especially since he's nearly crawling now. But, Mr. Puppykins reputation precedes him. We even offered a friend with a lot of land and other animals $500 to take him. But, she's met Mr. Puppykins before and she declined.

So we made the hardest decision we've ever had to make. I thank God for my husband, because I never would have been able to follow through with our decision. The Smartest Man Alive took him back to the Humane Society in hopes that he can be adopted by a lonely widow or a single person with Dog Whisperer-talents.

I'm mourning the loss of one of our family members, but more than that, I feel guilty. Guilty because I couldn't train him better. Guilty because I didn't have enough time for him since Little Man was born, and also because I've always bristled at irresponsible people who adopt a pet for the novelty and then give it way once they're bored. I know that's not our situation, but I can't help feeling like I've failed.