Tough decisions.

I think we have made the decision to find Sakari, our Alaskan Malamute, a new home. This was not something we came to lightly, I am a big believer that pets are a lifelong commitment. In fact we almost placed her in a new home 3 years ago, but I couldn't go through with it. We have been around the ringer with this dog, she is the biggest pain in the ass dog I have ever owned in my lifetime of owning dogs. Anyone even considering getting a Malamute I warn you to really really think about it and research the breed. I did my research, I am a very experienced dog owner...and it was a very bad decision to get her.

In my defense when I got her our triplets had just come home from the NICU (yeah don't ask me what the heck I was thinking) and my best friend of many years my German Shepherd, Gianni, had to be put down...I think a mix of hormones, grief and just plain crazy lead me to bring the cutest ball of fluff you have ever seen home. My sweet and adoring husband was not at all happy about it, but he has a hard time telling me 'no' LOL. Naturally Sakari didn't get the training and attention she really needed because duh we were busy with newborn triplets. Thankfully she turned out to be a kind and loving dog, for the most part.

When we brought her home we already had 2 dogs, our Pittie Gangster and Jason's mutt Slim...and our cats. Things went great for the first year or so, then for whatever reason Sakari decided Slim was enemy #1 and tried to kill him every chance she got. We eventually had to give Slim to Jason's sister so he wouldn't die. Then things went back to being good. A year goes by and then Sakari has it out for our cats. So we start keeping everyone separated...it is a pain but do-able. Meanwhile Sakari has escaped from our yard 4 or 5 times now and on one of those jaunts caught someone's cat and the poor thing racked up a $500 vet bill which we covered, thankfully the cat was not seriously injured...damn those ER vets and their outrageous charges.

We have put up with all this for almost 5 years now, it hasn't been fun but we have been dealing. Then a couple weeks ago Jericho smacked her on the butt...didn't hurt her, I mean how hard can a 2 year old smack a dogs butt, but she turned around and nipped his face. She didn't break the skin but did give him a bruise and a little knot that lasted for a week. A couple days ago she nipped Hayden in the face when Hayden startled her, again she didn't break the skin...it was more of a warning nip.

Here is the dilemma...can we have a dog that nips first when annoyed or startled by children in our family with 4 kids under 5...is it safe, will this get worse or better? I just don't know what to do. We have contacted a Mal rescue group, they are going to add her to their listing of available dogs...I guess we'll see if I can go through with it when a home becomes available for her.

We talked to the kids about it, Xander and Lily were totally fine with finding her a new home...though they do seem a little sad and go back and forth on it. Hayden went into a crying fit and flat out refused...she cried so hard that it made me start to cry. Yeah the girl who got nipped in the face didn't care she loves her dog. It took some time and talking about maybe getting a new puppy one day to sway her. I know she isn't going to be happy come the day for Sakari to leave though. Neither am I, even if she is a giant pain in the ass, she is our pain in the ass. We are getting her spayed here soon, the rescue lady said that might actually help mellow her out. I guess she has until a new home opens up to prove to us she should stay.

Any dog people feel free to chime in with any thoughts or suggestions.

Today the pic of the day is "animal" so here is one of Sakari...this will not be easy, either way.

Haddie was very proud of her drawing. She said that is Xander, Hayden, Lily and Jericho looking at a rainbow and the sun. So cute :)