At piano lessons today Lois and I discussed our dog, Beatrix. She said she'd take her if she didn't have 3 cats....
Mike is getting details into what we have to do to take Bea with us. We are willing to pay for all the records, micro-chip, transporting her etc. We have been told by several that if we are taking a pet we want to take the Patriot Express right into Misawa AB as the trip is hard for pets through Tokyo and then you still have a train ride to Misawa....customs and such.
Mike was told yesterday that there are NO MORE flights of military personnel direct to Misawa AB. We will be flying in to Tokyo. After hearing the details of the trip, Mike fears that Beatrix won't survive the trip. We're all incredibly attached to our wonder dog. She's been a part of our family 15 years. She's 17 - 18 years old. She's nearly blind. She doesn't hear well. She has had to take aspirin a few times this winter for arthritis. We know she's old...but we also know she's stability for our children - and us. ::sniff::
Our older four children are all living in apartments. They won't be able to keep her. She needs out often during the day these days....
We are in a quandary. I know many of you will think this is silly...but it's not to us. Having been a Third Culture Kid and raising Third Culture Kids , I know that it is important for the children to have some parts of life remain the same during our many transitions. Beatrix has been one aspect of that for us. We've walked her in MT, TX, AK and look forward to walking her in Japan....but would it be more traumatic to collect her in Tokyo and find she'd not made the trip?
Realistically, not many are going to want an old dog. Ok enough - I'm in tears and this isn't good for any of us....pray that we figure out what to do....and that we are at peace about it....I'm going to go think about something else on the list for a bit of time.
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.
12 comments:
Ahhh! That is not a silly prayer request at all! You are a great Mom to want to help your kids through this big transition as much as possible. I will pray that God's best will be done for your sweet dog. Let's put it in His hands, as I know you are putting your kids in His hands too. It's a big change for your kids, but probably brings up MANY of the feelings you had as a kid as an MK. You are a good Mom! I'm praying for you guys!
Oh, DeEtta. I'm so sorry. What a tough decision to have to make.
Kim - we're flying in to Tokyo. I haven't a clue what that means and how much time we'll have there....but I'm hopeful we'll see you in the next 3 years. LOL
BTW - THANKS ladies....it helps to have adult ladies understand what I'm thinking. LOL
De'Etta, I totally understand how your family is feeling. Our pets become part of our family. We had our *little old lady* with us for almost 12 years. She traveled from Hawai'i to the mainland and the cross country road trip (through 19 states) with us. Could a family member (grandparents, aunt or uncle) take Bea? I'll be praying for guidance and for all of you.
So Sorry... I can understand the many reasons why you'd want to take her with you... three years is a long time to be away from an aging pet....
Oh I do understand how hard that must be. Our kids were desperate about having to leave our cats behind in Canada. Praying for a solution for you.
When we moved to Germany the first time our cat was 10 or 11 yrs old. We were going to have to stay with my aunt until we had permission to fly to Germany (couldn't take the cat there since she had cats) and we were very concerned about the cat's health with the long flight. My brother graciously took our cat and as it turns out Tucker died about 6 mos later.... now she's buried in my db's backyard instead of Germany.... it's a hard decision and I think it would be very difficult on your dog to do the long flight.... and then of course there's the issue of if a vet would even sign off on the health certificate saying the dog is healthy enough
De'Etta,
I'm sorry...I'll be praying. I do understand and it's not silly at all.
Another thing to take into consideration with your dog is the possibility of long term boarding once you arrive in Japan. I know that in Korea it was usually a longer wait for 4br units... we lived in a hotel for about a month (and that's with being at the top of the waiting list since we were coming from another overseas assignment) and the base lodging usually doesn't permit pets.... maybe you can make a list of the pros/cons of bringing your dog and then talk to the children about the list. Even though they will miss their dog, it may be best for the dog to not do the long flight (if the temp even cooperates) and the long boarding.....
Keep venting...... every move has it's good and bad aspects... the overseas moves are just different.
Praying for God to show you what is best in this complicated situation, to work it out for you and for all to have peace with it.
We've moved with pets but they were younger, the flight was more direct and we knew we'd have a place for them upon arrival.
It seems there is no easy answer. She can come here to our zoo if that would help in any way but Freeze the insane puppy just might drive her crazy.
De,
Amy loves dogs.
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