The family stretched to accommodate Ginger as a short-term guest; after all, she belonged to another family that missed her.
Didn’t she?
PART II
As Mommy and Daddy alerted one and all about the “Found: Missing Dog”, adjustments were made for her comfort and care. She needed to eat – a bowl for food, a bowl for water. She needed to sleep – a doggy bed just for her. She needed toys – willingly shared. She needed exercise – a collar and leash of her own.
Mommy and Daddy investigated all the local resources that they thought would be available to help her. Desafortunadamente, none were available! In Houston, at that time, all of the pet rescue organizations were filled to capacity – it was a no room at the inn situation. To relinquish her to a shelter organization would surely be a death sentence.
The family could only expand their home, their resources, and their nurturing as they continued to search for a home for her. One complication was that they had travel plans. In the past this was not a concern – for by then (after Cohete’s misadventure in the kennel), they’d found a comfortable and most importantly, safe, facility for him – one that was trauma-free. Now they would need to enroll Ginger too.
They could not do this though, because Ginger was not vaccinated. And so, they arranged for Ginger to be vaccinated, and micro-chipped. Finally, she and Cohete vacationed at a pet resort without incident.
At home, Ginger – like El Cohete – liked to chew and chew, and chew. Managing the two pets was challenging. And then there was the need for the two pets to be walked. Two pets with strong, willful personalities – this was another challenge.
Yet, having Ginger at home was good for Cohete. In a sense he had a partner in crime, a buddy, a playmate.
Desde el punto de vista de Cohete:
From Cohete’s point of view:
Fue inicialmente genial – tener una compañera,
era como una hermana.
Mamá y papá la cuidaron igual que a él.
It was initially cool – to have a companion,
She was like a sister.
Mommy and Daddy took care of her just as they did for him.
Compartió su alta comida con ella.
Compartía sus juguetes con ella.
Compartía su espacio con ella.
He shared his fine dining with her.
He shared his toys with her.
He shared his space with her.
Pero exigía más.
Se convirtió en la fuente de la angustia de Cohete.
But she demanded more.
She became the source of Cohete’s distress.
—
Ella era persistente.
Fue sin parar.
Su necesidad de estar activa y siempre en movimiento era
IMPLACABLE.
She was persistent.
It was non-stop.
Her need to be active and always on-the-go was
RELENTLESS
Cohete no pudo relajarse debido a sus constantes demandas que
exige por su tiempo
exige por su atención.
Ella era DEMASIADO!
Cohete could not relax due to her constant demands
Demands for his time
Demands for his attention.
She was just too much!
Cohete sintió que, al igual que algunos invitados, se quedó más allá de su bienvenida.
Cohete felt that, like some guests, she overstayed her welcome.
PART III SAYING GOODBYE
Mommy and Daddy continued the search – they talked with neighbors, posted more signs, and joined neighborhood chats with no success. After continued contact with shelters, they found one that could accommodate Ginger. It was by appointment only, and after a long and detailed interview process, they arranged for the drop-off.
There was a tearful farewell between the boy and Ginger. Cohete simply observed with no understanding or feeling of relief, that his playmate was leaving permanently. Ginger seemed to enjoy the ride with Mommy and Daddy as the only pet – she had the entire back seat to herself.
They arrived at the facility to find that it was a drive-through format and that all they could do was to hug her one last time, wish her well, and hope she would be adopted within the allotted time.
