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Why DO I feel this CRUSHING guilt I had to give up my lab2007-11-25 2:55:51

I just had to give my lab away to a family member. I know that it is for the best, but I miss my dog so much.

I rescued him from the pound when he was 4 months old. He is my baby. when he broke his knee -I paid! I wanted him to be okay & I would have paid anything. I did.

I felt that giving him away at this point was the best thing. But right now I can't sleep & I've wanted to just cry for days now.

My dog is with another black lab. & has a much much larger yard... wildlife to chase. I know he is happy. I know he is very happy. But I miss him all the same. Even his tail & rear in my face while i tried to sleep.

WHY DO I FEEL THIS CRUSHING GUILT???!??

Answers:

I think it's hard giving up a pet because you know that pet will miss you. As great as his new home may seem, dogs are oriented to people. The fact that YOU aren't there is going to be very sad for him. Unlike you, he doesn't have the luxury of understanding what's going on, either.

You also don't know how the rest of his life will go. You have no way of knowing if the new owners will take good care of him. Maybe they'll have to "give him up" some day and won't select the best home.

It sounds like you really do care about this dog, so I do feel for you. Hopefully you've learned that a pet is a long term responsibility and won't get another one until you're sure things are stable and you'll be able to see him through to the end.

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your poor thing. you are such a responsible owner. did you give him away because you thought he deserved better than what you were giving him? thats beautiful but i'm sure your lab loved you and misses you a lot. he's probably thinking of your right now and didnt want to leave

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You feel it because you loved him so much.