Goodbye, Sweet Baby Girl

Today we had to say goodbye to our little (not so little) puppy, Nala.  We've had her since she was 8 weeks old.  She has always had some possessive tendencies and when she would snap at me when she was younger, before Jimmie, I thought it was just her being a puppy.  Something that she could be trained out of.  After investing in a personal trainer for her, she did better for a while.

Recently, however, her aggressive possessive tendencies have been coming back.  As Jimmie began to crawl more, this had me a little worried.  But she was always so sweet to him.  However a few weeks ago, as I went to lay Jimmie down for his nap, she had become possessive of a diaper wipe she had found and attacked my foot when I went to get it from her.  It was pretty bad, but thankfully, no permanent damage to my foot.  It's still a little sore, and I don't have full range of motion restored quite yet, but it is getting there.  At that point, we knew we had to get rid of her. We weren't about to wait around for it to happen to Jimmie.

We had intended to send Nala to my wonderful aunt, Tracey, in New Jersey.  Their family owns a farm and they have 2 Australian Shepherds as well.  This would have been a perfect fix and an ideal situation.  We were a little hesitant to send her there 1.) Because of the cost to send her, and 2.) Because even though Tracey doesn't have "little kids" she has two pre-teen age twins.  Since her attack was a pretty isolated incidence, we felt that she might be okay with the girls.  Everything was arranged, she was ready to fly on Friday.

However, while I was at work, Nala bit Jim.  She growled at Jimmie and knocked him over.  She really had just gotten out of control.  Earlier in the week, it seemed like every day we were finding out an extra hidden fee in shipping her that we hadn't realized before.  What initially was going to be a $400ish trip was starting to look closer to $600.  Today we realized, there is no way we can justify spending $600 to send her to New Jersey where she may potentially hurt more family.  I couldn't stand the thought of Nala doing anything to hurt them.  So, when I got the call from Jim about what happened, we knew we needed to get rid of her today.

We brought her to a very good, no-kill, adoption agency that we had researched previously as a fall back option.  They're wonderful at working with them and do everything they can to get them adopted. It tore my heart apart.  I've spent a better part of the night in tears, but I think it will get a little easier as the days go on.  We donated her treats and some things to the shelter.  I find solace in the fact that she has a lot of good things going for her.  She is BEAUTIFUL, she's young, she's very very smart, she loves to play, and she's so loyal.  Hopefully these things find her a great home, without kids.  She deserves great things.

Aside from remembering Nala today, one of my main reasons for this post is to let you all know.  We will all be just fine, and get on with healing.  I didn't want to have to tell the story a bunch of times and answer a bunch of questions.  Talking about her seems to be the hardest thing to do.

Thankfully a few days ago, we were able to take some pictures together since we knew she'd be leaving us.  Here are a few shots we captured.

Mommy, Jimmie, and Nala

All looking at each other

A cute Daddy and Jimmie shot

Nala giving Daddy some kisses

Here are a few shots of the little girl growing up:

 8 weeks old

 Going for a walk

 After grooming

 Puppy check up

 Her awkward stage

 Such a good doggy

 "Puh-lease give me some food Aunt Jeri!"

 Jimmie thinks she's the funnies thing in the world

Loving Christmas

We will miss you, Nala.  Hope you find the best of homes!! We love you so much.