Wednesday, January 30, 2008

What Would You Do?



With the impending move to the Coast of Sunshine we have the dilemma over whether we take the resident Nutbar with us.

Blair is adamant we do.

I am a bit up in the air. I love her to bits but I am also practical to the stress of moving a family of six to another country, the hassles of gaining rental properties with a dog, the new climate, the paralysis tick and heartworm etc etc. Not to mention the $1162 quote we have received to transport her there.

When it comes down to it, if Blair won't budge he won't budge but .....

What would you do? Would you deal with the judder bars and go with your heart or deal with the heartache of leaving her and go with the easier bump free ride??

And it you just comment "I don't like dogs so don't take her", be warned I will tell you to get a life as I want you to think outside the square and look at the bigger picture, if you don't like dogs think of something you do love.

39 comments:

Anonymous said...

I understand your dilemma but it would break my heart to leave my dog behind. Wouldn't she be in quarantine for a spell? You could sneak her into your rental after then...

Kate said...

I don't know what you should do. We had a lovely beagle that we adored, but he was so naughty and so much work. We tried training him, but in all honesty.. probably didn't try hard enough. When Amelia was born, it started to stress me out, being at home with this naughty dog.. I couldn't have my friends over, and after he trashed one of our bedrooms (put holes in the wall etc), we made the hard decision to find him a new home. It was awful. Joseph and I stood on the front lawn and bawled as he happily jumped in this guys car, and off he went. We STILL miss him, but we both felt it was the best thing for our familly, which was our priority. Whatever decision you make, there will be heart ache of some kind.. ((hugs)) - sucks either way huh?

Mary said...

Oh Jules, you know what I'm gonna say - Nutbar is family. Everyone re-adjusts and all it takes is a bit of time. How important is Nutbar to the kids as well? Sure it's going to be a little tough with the initial move but it's going to be like that either way. That photo is priceless! x

CaramelKitKat said...

In my mind, animals that live with you are firmly, well and truely, without a shadow of a doubt, family. That crazily gorgeous face is so full of goodness and love that I am sure the financial cost will pale in comparison.

If the cost still stings, look on the bright side: Blair can have 'his way', and you can use this to your advantage later; win-win ;o)

Chris H said...

Being the incredibly PRACTICAL person I am.. I would not take her, unless money is not an issue! You know we just re-home'd our dog Izzy for reasons we felt were valid. Sometimes you have to do something you really don't want to...

Name: Lynise said...

gosh this is a hard one, and I'm very much a dog person (love my three darlings to bits) but I'm also very practical and it would be a real toughie. For me I would have to consider all the contributing factors. For example, if it were me one of my dogs is old (11 human years) and has a plethora of health issues that have just started in the past year. I know he will probably only live another 1 - 2 years max so I would look at re-homing him and would hope one of my siblings would take him.
On the other hand, my bichon and toy poodle are both young and have a lot of years left to enjoy. I would want to take them with me but if I was going across to live in rental accomodation I would leave them in NZ temporarily while I settled in and found accmomdation where I could house him. In regards to sneaking a dog into a property that does not allow pets, I sucessfully took an ex tenent of mind to tenancy medication and won $2500 off them for breach of contract and damage to the property (chewed on a door and a few other minor things) but as they took the property knowing a dog was not permitted then got one at a later stage the mediator termed it a breech of contract and ruled in my favour. (very expensive mistake on their part).

anyway, as I was saying, I would settle in then look at bringing my two over to a property where they had allowed pets. (a reference from an existing landlord would be a huge help so remember to get one of those if you think you may take him).

Spiky Zora Jones said...

Jules...poor little snookie wookums has to go with you. Nutbar loves you and the rest of family. She's looking at you right there in that photo...thinking how wonderful it's going to be In Oz.

She wuffs you or is that woofs you? Ha.

ciao jules...nice post and she is beautiful.

Danni said...

As expensive as it is, I couldnt leave my baby behind... can you leave her with someone for a while and once you're settled and saved some cash bring her over then???

Jules said...

Kate: I know babes, Saffy is a bit of a chewer but mostly because she is bored since I couldn't walk her for ages. But back into it next week so she should be sweet.

Mary: Softy!!

CKK: Double softy!!

Chris: I must admit I found it hard to believe you were rehoming Izzy after all the wonderful things you say about her but, when she is going as somewhere as cool as Anne's then it makes more sense. You can still visit and check up on her too. It's a hard one.

Lynise: Left comment on your blog

Spiky: She does woof me very muttley.

Danni: I keep getting all these lovely comments from you but can't find out who you are. Email me: julesandblair@clear.net.nz if you want to let me in on your blog life!! PS, that is what I am planning on doing, hve her stay with Mum and Dad for a month.

The Candid Bandit said...

OK, I've never had a massive attachment to any animal and do you know, my initial answer is "Find her an amazing home there and leave her". That is my practical side but then all I could think of was "Imagine how sad and devestated Nutbag would be"

They say animals know what's going on and can mourn when their owner dies etc, so imagine having all the kids, blair and you taken away from her forever.

Look at that face!!

Anonymous said...

I couldn't leave my cat behind: she is part of my family!!!!

What a great photo - she really does look like she woofs u berry muttley!!!

I supose you've checked out a few quotes to see if the cost can't be reduced?

Good luck!

Anne said...

Don't honestly know. I am thinking more along the lines of going with your heart. The expense - well it is a one of!

If you leave her you will find it really hard - also dificult start in a new country with a dog as well as kids.

As you know we have just 'abdopted' Izzy - and you should see her, she does seem to be happy and settling in, so if you do make the decision to leave her behind at least you know you can find someone that loves her and that she will love as well.

**Mellisa** said...

I would leave her behind with a loving family too ... Like Beck, I am not really an animal lover/owner.
It is a lot of money to transport her and the other thing is the rental properties that don't allow dogs/cats could have you looking for a while?!
I'm sure you will go with your heart and which ever way that is, will be right.

Anonymous said...

How about leaving the dog with some friends until you are settled, and then have her sent over?

I had to leave my cat behind when I moved to the USA, but the quarantine is a lot harder - and we live in Arizona (and she's a fluffy black persian). Eventually, when we are in a house - she will be coming over.

I'm sorry you have to make a decision like this - good luck.

KittyMeow said...

I'm really against giving up a pet once you have bought it. IMHO you buy it knowing it will live for 10years plus and so it becomes part of your family. Leaving it behind after it has spent its whole life adoring you is too cruel IMHO.

Practical Schmactical ;-)
When my parents decided they wanted to live in Tassie after 10 years in WA we took one kitty with us on the two week road trip across the south of Australia. We were always a hit at the caravan parks with a cat on a lead *shock*. Later after we had settled in Tas, Dad flew back to WA to pick up the remaining kitty and bring her to her new home.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a rental in QLD - maybe you could even offer some extra bond to cover the doggy. :-)

Jaxx said...

Tough one but if you can afford to take her then do it. And hopefully you will find somewhere to rent which will take her.

Anonymous said...

How come it is always the Mum that has to be the practical one hey?!! Blair is thinking with his heart and you are trying to think with your head as well. It is really tricky.

Yep, finding a rental is going to be a bit harder maybe if you have a dog because lots of people like to say no pets on their leases...but...you will get one eventually, not every land lord does that.

I think if I were in your shoes I'd be having the same thoughts as you, but in the end, leaving her behind would be like leaving a family member (even a smelly hairy expensive one!!)

But whatever you do, don't feel guilty for the rest of your days! You'll make a decision that is the best for everybody.

Anonymous said...

If i founda beautiful home to leave her with, where she would be as loved then I would say leave her, because you are assured that she will be taken care of, and it's so expensive....i dunno....so tricky!

Anonymous said...

you said it yourself, you love her to bits ... she has to go. If you dont take her, she'll find away to hunt you down, stalk you and make your life miserable without her. LOL

With those awesome tits of yours, just flash a potential landlord and you should have it made :)

Ms Smack said...

EEK, tough choice. The above comments echo my sentiments. I'd take her, but as Danni suggested, get settled first. Leave her safe with someone, get your shit sorted and send for her. With a face like that, damn, i'd be worried she'd haunt me if I didn't take her LOL

Jayne said...

It's a tough one Jules & I know what you're going through. I took my Staffie Mungo to Kenya with me, but from there, we went to Saudi, where Staffies were banned. We actually relocated grandma to England, paid for Mungo to do 6mths in quarantine & then about a year later, flew him & grandma back to SA. Bloody dog had as many airmiles as we did. Fast forward a few more years, we came here & grandma wasn't capable of looking after herself at home, alone in SA. Mungo was on the list of dogs forbidden to enter the UAE (fucking ironic that some rag'ead with wasta had a pitbull in Dubai but Staffies not allowed in?) I knew that Mungo would literally make himself ill if he didn't live with one of us, so I took the decision to have him put to sleep. He was 10yrs old, but still a puppy in my eyes :-) It broke my heart & to this day I still feel gutted that I was forced into a corner. He gave us so much pleasure.
If it was me, I'd fork out the cost of taking Nutbar with you, especially if the kids are attached to him, but I'd also understand if it wasn't an option. My only wish is that he be happily resettled with a family who loved him the same, if that's possible.

Anonymous said...

what smack said.

she is a smart biatch.

Cinders said...

My friends have taken their cat & dog from Australia to Bangkok to the US and now back to Singapore all in the last 8 years. It just depends on you really. Not very good advice I know :)

chercher71 said...

Hi, I live in brisbane and to tell you the truth i would leave her behind. Its really hard at the moment to get rental properties and they always prefer someone without pets. I have been looking at moving recently and nearly every house we have looked at says no pets. We have a dog too and are up in the air whether we should move or not.

Margaret said...

Hi there, I could not leave my dog, I have my dog who has weekends with my ex and I miss him so much, I am thinking of working overseas next year and will definately take him with me, still, its a choice only you can make for yourself, and I'm sure you'll make the right one for your situation....


Cheers and good luck


PS it is very interesting following your blog as the countdown begins to the big shift...

Kathryn said...

Take the dog and leave one of the kids behind, that way you save money in the long run :D

As far as getting a rental property, I assume you'll be looking for a house so that will make it easier with a dog. Getting a flat that allows pets is near impossible but I never have trouble renting a house with my dog.

Jules said...

miss beck: I know babes, look at that face. She has been groomed today and looks a picture!!

alleycat: Have got a few quotes but the last one I got was recommended me by a well known breeder.

anne: I think the heart is going to win, I think you are the winner taking on Izzy too!!

mellissa: If we can't find somewhere to live we'll just come bunk down with you, Saffy will love it (aka Nutbar)

akg: That is my plan, leave Saffy with Mum and Dad for a month and then send her over, just make sure we get a property that allows dogs.

kittymeow: I know, she is part of the family and it is so hard. And she loves me!!

hippygal: we can wing it somehow, sell the cat maybe??

betty: maybe I could leave blair behind instead, he's hairy and smelly??

airlie: it is tricky, schmicky, conticky!!

leenie: I'll remember that one Leenie, make most of tits, make most of tits.

ms smack: she already haunts me now!!

jayne: what a great mission your doggy has been on. And grandma!!

kitty: ditto kitto.

linda: aaaah, but it is good advice cos it shows me how easily it can be done and work!! thanx

chercher71: I've heard there is a big rental shortage over there. Good time to get an investment property in the coast huh?? Let me pose this question to you, now that you have your lovely doggy, would you give her/him up??

m58: do you actually share your DOG or are you using dog as a metaphor for a kid?? If you do share the actual dog I think that's great!! How will the ex feel about dog moving overseas?? Will he go for custody??

Cazzie!!! said...

I love my dog Bondi to bits, if I was moving interstate I would take him with us. But, to move overseas I would find him a loving family home to go to.
Last year here in Oz a crate with some animals was left out in the sun and they died. They were to be transported to England. It was only when the family arrived in England they found out the tragedy. The airline was sued big time. No compensation can replace the dog though, they would be better off having found them a new home I reckon.
Just my 2 cents..love him, but find him a nice new home with a nice family I reckon.

Jules said...

kathrynoh: Definitely a house, think I would look for a flat with my crazy ensemble of kids?? Although, could leave one or two of the kids behind, great idea!!

Cazzie: But would you really?? If it came to the crunch would you really say goodbye to your family pet?? Who would you give it to?? That was a suitably horrific story too darl, thanx!! We lucky here that we would pick her up straight from the plane, no days in the sun!! Could even come on our flight if the house was sussed first, of course we would have to be downgraded from first class and she wouldn't be allowed in the paraplegic toilets!!

Wanna_B_slimmer said...

I would have thought it would be near impossible to rent a house with a dog... I would wait and see what the rental market is like... then make up your mind...
I am not an animal lover either... but just looking at that photo makes me see nutbar is just as crazy as you are so yeah take the dog with you... you will find a way...

Jules said...

Wanna: I have emailed a real estate agent in Nambour and asked about the dog thing and she said that most people pretty sweet as long as the yard was fenced. She is crazy darling, suits me well, although I don't have a tongue that looks like a small child's leg!!

chercher71 said...

Jules, Honestly-i don't know, it would have to be a great house. My kids would all go into depression if we got rid of him, they drive me crazy as it is now. I know it wouldn't bother hubby he never wanted a dog at all, so i just went and bought my little pepper (black and white mini foxie and no i didn't name him..lol) and bought him home. Had him for 2 years now, be a hard decision to make i wouldn't like to be in your position...Good Luck though

Margaret said...

Yep Jules, the ex and me have an amicable arrangement, he often rings and says can he have him, and almost every Saturday morning picks him up and drops him off on Monday avo. ( he is a night shift worker) I dont mind at all, my boys are 18 and 20 so no custody battles there. I know he loves the dog as much as I do, when and if I decide to travel overseas, well that could pose a sticky problem..

Cheers


Margaret

Steph said...

I don't like dogs so don't take her......oh wait, I wasn't supposed to say that was I. Dammit.

I think it's too expensive and it's going to be an added problem when you're trying to find accommodation, therefore, I would try to find her a good home in NZ.

Don't hate. You did ask!!

Jenn said...

Personally, I couldn't stand to leave mine behind. However, I do understand why you're having problems making a decision. A friend of mine has a husband in the military and had to move to Hawaii a couple years ago. They had a dog in CO, but couldn't take him to Hawaii because, even though it's still the US, there was a waiting period where the dog had to be kenneled and watched for like 3 or more months to make sure he was healthy enough to enter Hawaii. They decided to give him to a friend instead because they didn't want to put him through all of that.

Middle Child said...

Forget the diticks and heartworm...oour dog has Atvantix and heartworm as a routine on the calendar, and he's 13, lived in the city and country. Its more a matter of money and housing. Whatever you do make sure he has a really good home preferable yours but if not at least someone you know will be kind and love him.

Tania said...

I think your decision to take her is in direction relation to how much a part of your family she is. If she's family there's no decision to make! That's how I feel about my dogs, I wouldn't hesitate.

Jadey said...

There is no way in hell either of my two would be left behind when I moved anywhere. They are a part of the family. no cost is too much.

cranky said...

can't be arsed reading all the comments, but I think if B wants to taker her/him, that's fine. HE can organise it! Every single detail of it!!!!