Saturday night I was driving home from an odd job of data entry when my phone rang. I had been expecting my mom to call me so I expected it to just be another call. You never really think about it when you start but how do you handle pets and travel?
“Hello?”
“Hey Erica, its E. My friend has decided to let us use his truck as of a minute ago. I know this is last minute but can we pick up the ferrets today?”
My heart instantly sank.
“I’m 15 minutes away from my house. Let me talk to Shaun and I’ll call you right back.”
Great. Shaun was already in a somber mood from the previous week’s worth of insanity at work and I had to be the one to deliver the news to him – about 30 minutes before he left work.
I could tell that when I delivered the news his heart sank even lower.
I decided at this moment that I needed to be the rock. I have my own bad days and Shaun is always there for me. I needed to be there for him. Cool and collected we spend the remainder of the time playing, petting, and giving little kisses to our fuzzies. I kept feeling horrible because he wasn’t going to be able to give them a proper goodbye.
As Shaun left for work I went to kiss him goodbye when all of a sudden it hit me. Tears instantly flooded my vision and I sat there in his arms weeping. We mourned together for a few minutes before he left for his graveyard shift.
All I could think was, “Are we doing the right thing? Are we really parting with our little family so we can see the world?”
And as quickly as Shaun left, the new owners came by and happily hopped out of their truck. It is so bizarre that while I was experiencing sorrow, people are rejoicing bringing these delightful furballs into their lives.
I helped load all their toys and goodies and closed their car door. As they drove away and I stood there alone in the driveway, I wondered if this is what empty nesters feel like.
It tore me apart.
Oh, how sad! I still remember giving my Boxer to my mother when I was in university because I wanted to move and travel and knew she would have a better life in a stable house with a big backyard. It’s like having to part with a family member (maybe even worse 😉 at least you have an enjoyable reason ahead of you to look forward to!
oh sweetie! i have no good words for this 🙁 i’m sending mountains of love your way. i’m sure you picked some wonderful people to care for your fuzzies. but it’s so hard, i know. i’m here for you if you want to chat. *hugs*
@Andrea: We are leaving our dog with my father but he has a “if you want him back, feel free” clause built into us leaving him. I think he will be happy and it is nice to know that a family member will be taking care of our other furkid. He is a traitor anyway and doesn’t get sad when anyone gives him attention. I’m not too worried about him.
@Lorna: Thank you! I need to love sent. While it is getting better every day, there is still a gaping hole where the cage used to be and a daily reminder of the sacrifices we are making. I think this set Shaun up to be ready to leave though. Things have changed… in a good way.
Okay, so I am sitting here in tears. I know this feeling all too well, having been a disastrous mess when I gave up my furbabies before we left. Their sweet little faces – not knowing why it was that I was crying and why they were with strange people.
Happy to report that both my babies are doing VERY well and are spoiled rotten in their new homes. I went to see one of them this last summer and after one year, my baby cat went NUTS when he heard my voice. But then he went back to his new “corner” in his new home, as content as could be.
It was the second hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life, but they are no worse off for it, and I am all the better for it. You will be too, even though it’s so hard to see that right now.
Chin up guys! It will all be worth it… xoxo
It would tear me into pieces if I had to do that 🙁
We chose to have pet rats when we learned that their lifespan is only 2-3 years. Sounds morbid typing it out… but it’s all part of the planning.
I’m sorry you had to go through this… hopefully you and the new owners could come in agreement on photo updates and stories. It would definitely help to see how happy they are in their new home.
Will be thinking of you today.
Aw, they’re so cute! I’m sure they are happy that you found them a good home 🙂
@Dalene: Awww Dalene! I know people with fur kids totally understand. I’m glad that your kids adjusted nicely to their new homes. Right now I’m trying to help the new owner tell what is normal behavior for them since I’m sure they are stressed out from the move. I just have never given up an animal like this and it kills me. My mom used to get rid of our pets all the time but I vowed I never would.
@Jill: When I got the ferrets I had no idea I would ever consider traveling the world to this degree. I always figured I could get someone to house sit our babies when we went out on our yearly trip. Shaun and I have had rats before. They are super cool!
@Leslie: Thank you! I am super happy with our home choice as well. 🙂
Love the heart-shaped ferrets photo. Sorry for your “loss”.
What cute little things! I love the heart shape picture and agree, it’s hard not to fall in love with that..!
Aw, so sad! I’m sorry that you had to give away your loved little ones, but just keep in mind that they are going to loving homes and you will be embarking on a wonderful adventure soon!
Oh Erica & Shaun I am so sorry. I know how bad this hurts. You just have to remember how happy the people were who picked them up and how happy they will be in their new home. I feel like I have screwed Chachy up royally, now anytime I start cleaning he gets anxious because he thinks I’m packing. I feel really, really bad because then he won’t leave my side and then I also realize I really should probably clean more often since he’s not used to seeing me do it. haha… That picture of you and your ferret is so cute. Big hugs to a tough week for both of you. 🙂
that is so cute, is that how they used to sleep?
First, how cute are you in that photo?!?!
But the fur balls are totally adorable in the others – even if they’re not yours – and I bet holding them for the last time is up there with the most emotionally challenging moments you’ll have surrounding the build up to leaving.
Big hugs to you!!
@South America: Thank you. ♥
@Sofia: I think so many people have had bad experiences with ferrets that they get a bad rap. They are so awesome when trained properly. So loving and playful!
@Connie: We interviewed their new owners as much as they were interviewing us. I think we made an awesome choice with the circumstances given.
@Bethany: Poor Chachy! I just have an issue where whenever we pack up our backpack or tent my dog goes crazy and assumes he is coming. I love my dog but he is such a traitor that I know that he’ll do just fine living with my dad. It has been a very tough week. It is starting to be a bit surreal.
@Zablon: They sleep so soundly that you can move their bodies how you want without them waking up. Many people take advantage of this and move them in the heart shape.
@Heather: Thank you! You are so sweet. I really love that picture and I will cherish it forever. It really sucked that I had to handle that situation alone. I was really hoping Shaun would be there when they left but hey – bills have got to be paid. 🙁
*TEARS* This tore me to pieces. I know how sad you must feel. Some sacrifices to travel are a lot tougher than other ones. *hughug*
Your fur babies are so stinkin’ cute! I don’t know what I’m going to do with my puppy Jack whenever I leave. It seriously gives me anxiety to even think about it. He’s seriously like a child to me so I might just have to take him along lol! I hope you are feeling a little better knowing they’re super happy wherever they are.
PS. Your hair is badass in that picture. I love the red 🙂
Definitely one of the most rubbish things about travelling. What can you say? Think of them fondly every time you are kind to an animal on your travels and imagine them living happily with their new people.
Such absolute cuteness, combined with one of the best developed abilities to create mischief in the entire world. It’s hard to say goodbye to friends who have become family, no matter whether that’s a fuzzy human or a ferret… but I do miss being around ferrets. You’ll have to tell the two of them about your adventures one day.
@Sheryll: I can’t imagine how the dog thing is going to go when we drop him off at my dads. He is at least 10 years old (he was a stray and was full grown when we brought him home so he can be older) but spry as hell and it scares me that he is now a senior dog. We’ve already lost a dog while we were out on our travels. That was SO hard.
Thank you for the compliments on my hair! I love keeping up with the red. It is fun. 😀
@Liv: I wish it was easy to take pets along with you but I’m always scared of the quarantine issue when you go certain places.
@Kantiki: I know aren’t they darling?! I didn’t think I would become so attached but they just made me smile every day – that says quite a bit!
Funny you say that Erica. I bought my Turkish street cat back to the UK & she did 6 months ‘hard time’ in quarantine. The experience changed her from a nervy, easily-frightened animal to a complete tart of a cat. Now she is all over everyone purring and demanding attention!
@Liv: When we got our dog as a stray many moons ago he was quite abused. There is shotgun load under his skin in various places and he was in bad shape. He still freaks out when you hold up sticks. I think quarantine would kill him!
THEY ARE SO CUTE! My heart melts haha. I’ve always wanted a ferret actually. I know it’s hard, but you’re doing the right thing. And I’m sure they’re new family will take wonderful care of them and they’ll never forget you guys. Send them a postcard though 🙂
@Lauren: Ferrets are awesome – I’m not sure I would do it again (at least not for a while). I SHOULD send them a postcard! ♥
Awww, I’m so sorry. I am dreading, dreading, DREADING the day we hand our dogs off to whoever in our family we finally convince to take them. Your fur babies will be loved. I think it’s harder on us humans than on our furry loves.
@Kim: We have one more fur baby we have to drive down to San Antonio when we leave but that won’t be until we are actually heading out. Our dog is staying with my dad. 🙂
Aww, so sorry that you had such a rough parting. There are these moments before you leave, when you have the “last this” and “last that” and goodbyes – but once you are on the road it will all just click. It’s hard to see the forest through the tress right now, there’s still so much on your plate, but it will get easier!. Hugs from afar, I had a ferret growing up, so I know the attachment that forms with these little guys!
@Shannon: Thank you for your kind words Shannon. It really is hard to tough it out while waiting for our trip. We’re so close and I’m so terrible at goodbyes.