Send Spot off to his new owners with his health records, favorite toys, and enough of his regular brand of dog food for the first few days. If you aren’t planning on getting another dog, you might want to make them an offer on the crate, grooming equipment, lead, and collar. Spot will adjust to new surroundings more quickly if a few familiar objects go with him. Give the new owners a written copy of his daily routine, including his feeding, exercise, potty, and grooming schedule. It will come in handy even though they will probably change the hours to suit their lifestyle.
Letting Go Graciously
Chances are you’ll miss Spot after he moves into his new home and wish you could visit him. Resist the temptation, at least for the first few months. Spot may miss you terribly at first, and seeing you even briefly before he has adjusted to his new family could set back the bonding process and make the transition tougher for him. Instead, help Spot and his new family adjust to each other by being supportive to the new owners. Let them know they are welcome to call you if they have any questions, and just in case they are shy about bothering you, give them a call to find out how everything is going after Spot has lived with them for a couple of weeks.
The day you hear Spot has adjusted beautifully and behaves as if he had lived with his new owners forever may be one of mixed emotions for you. Let happiness win out. Perhaps one day the timing will be right for you to have another dog. In the meantime, you deserve a pat on the back. You made such a fine dog out of Spot that he adjusted well and brought joy to others when you couldn't keep him any longer.
Jake Spreads Joy
Dave Wedum, a Golden Retriever breeder and obedience trainer from Whitefish, Montana, agreed to board a Golden Retriever until a fellow's divorce was settled. The man never returned. When it was clear that gentle Jake no longer had an owner, Dave had him neutered, trained him, and tried to find him a new home since he already had a houseful of dogs.
One day the administrator of a nearby nursing home called. She knew a friendly dog would boost morale among the residents, and wanted to purchase one of Dave’s Golden Retriever puppies to live at the facility. Dave said a well-mannered adult dog would be more suitable and offered to donate Jake. The administrator accepted.
Jake fit in immediately. He learned which residents eagerly await his daily visits and distributes his love without letting any of them down. His house manners are impeccable and he understands that the kitchen and dining rooms are off limits. “He’s a wonderful dog and a real diplomat,” according to the administrator.
