Why I’m not adopting Kurtis

So I feel like I should explain to all of you why I’m not adopting Kurtis.  This has NOTHING to do with the fact that I DON’T want to keep him.  How could I not?  I’ve spent countless days and nights making sure he’s received all his medical treatment.  Walks, baths, socialization, training, etc.  I love him.

I love him so much it makes me sad to think he won’t be here much longer.  But I also love him so much that I need to let him go.  You see, in the short amount of time I’ve been fostering, I’ve realized it takes a certain kind of person to foster an animal.  And it also takes a special kind of dog to be accepting of different dogs coming in and out of “their” house.  I lucked out and I have two.  Kurtis is not one of those dogs.  Kurtis loves his pack.  His pack right now is me, Penny and Elvis.

Do I think he can be happy somewhere else?  Absolutely!  Do I think he can be happy having other dogs coming in and out of his house?  Probably not.  I’m sure I could get him to tolerate it but after the life he’s had he deserves to happy, not tolerant of things.

There is a bigger picture scenario here, more than just what I want.  I bring fosters in here.  If they are sick, I do what I can to get them better.  At the same time, I have Penny and Elvis to be the great dogs they are and accept these dogs into the house and help get them over certain fears and insecurities that only a dog can help another dog with.  This is what they’re here for.  This is their calling.  Kurtis is here to get better and find a forever home.  If I was never going to foster again, this would be home for Kurtis.  And while there will never be another Kurtis, there will be another sick or scared dog that can’t be at The Orphanage and he/she will have to come here.

Penny, Elvis and myself will give that dog the same love and care we gave Kurtis.  I love Kurtis but I love fostering more.  I love everything Priceless Pets and their volunteers and directors stand for.  To assume that he won’t get the same treatment anywhere else would be self-righteous.  And keeping Kurtis knowing he would be stressed out from other dogs could be one of the more selfish things I can do and go against everything I’ve learned about dog rescue.  I’m not letting him go. Kurtis is simply going where he needs to be.  Penny got my foot in the door with dog rescue.  Elvis pushed me in and shut the door.  Kurtis locked the door and he’s leaving with the key.  I love you, Baby K!  I can’t wait for you to meet your new family!