I Gave My Dog to My Mom

Summary

The author is giving her dog, Shorty, to her mother to provide companionship and healing for both of them, as Shorty is not adjusting well to the full-time RV lifestyle and her mother is lonely after losing her own dog.

Abstract

The author, a full-time RVer, has decided to give her dog, Shorty, to her mother due to Shorty's difficulty in adapting to life on the road. Despite meticulous planning for their transition to RV life, the well-being of Shorty was overlooked. The dog has shown signs of missing a stable home environment and the consistent presence of his owners. Meanwhile, the author's mother has been coping with the loss of

Because I love both of them.

I’ve heard the cliche, “If you love something, let it go.” My response: “That’s dumb. I’m going to hold on to it until the end of time.”

With this particular situation, I am starting to eat my words. What is the problem I am referring to? I am giving my dog to my mother…

I am sure the first question on your lips is, “Why?”

It’s a bit of a long story but bear with me. In the summer of 2020, I decided that my husband and I would make the transition to full-time RVers. We opted to give up the sticks and bricks lifestyle, sold almost all of our belongings, bought an RV, and moved in. I planned every moment of the transition. I carefully chose what would go, what would stay, where we would go, how to get our mail, etc. I even had it planned down to the day.

I thought of everything…except for this: How my dog was going to adjust. Apparently, not as well as I thought he would.

Don’t get me wrong. Shorty is not being a bad boy or anything. However, I can tell that he is not his usual self. He hasn’t picked up any of his toys in the last two months we have been full-time RVers. I gave it some time to see if he would adjust and finally be more of his bubbly self. Unfortunately, he hasn’t. I can tell he misses his yard. He misses the extra companionship he had when mommy and daddy were home more often. I can tell that he knows he is loved and spoiled, but I feel like we can do better for him.

We have been full-time RVing for two months now and love every second of it. In fact, the hubs and I don’t see going back to sticks and bricks at all. Like, ever again. (Our next place we plan on living in a tiny house, but I don’t think Shorty is onboard with this.)

Unfortunately, in 2020, my mom was hit by a car while walking her dog. Luckily, she survived with some bumps and bruises. Sadly, her dog was not as fortunate and died on impact. Needless to say, she’s been a little lonely with her fur baby gone.

Here I am. On the one hand, I have a dog who I absolutely adore and helped my heart heal. Then, on the other hand, my mother has a broken heart and is lonely without the pitter-patter of paws trotting on her wood floors.

Shorty has done so much for my husband and me. I did not like him at first and wanted nothing to do with him. Now, he has me wrapped around his tiny thumb. I know Shorty deserves better, and my mom has so much love to give.

As a result, we are giving him to her. At this time, I am writing this article in a hotel with him sleeping between my ankles in bed. I’m in a hotel resting for the night and on my way to her house. I know this is the last night he is “mine.” However, I know I am doing the best thing for both of them. They both deserve all of the love in the world and deserve each other.

Shorty has a job to do, and that is to heal another heart.

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