Monday Mischief #32 - Returning Onyxx

Onyxx went back to the rescue a few days ago. I had been talking about the possibility for a while but he had received an adoption application which I was hoping would work out. It didn't.

It just wasn't a good situation for anyone. I was stressing out which in turn affected everyone else. Foster Dog Onyxx had to be constantly supervised unless he was in a room with me with the door closed. Otherwise he would be licking the carpet or sneaking into the kitchen or trying to steal food. And it was hard because I felt like I had to be constantly vigilant.

The boyfriend was getting cranky because Onyxx kept pushing up the food time and would wake him at three, four in the morning. Or Mr. N would wake him up to "tattle" that Onyxx was sneaking up onto the bed.

And as for Onyxx... he started eliminating in the house, his resource guarding got worse and his separation anxiety escalated. He would rock the crate so hard that it would move halfway across the room. He chewed up Mr. N's bed from inside the crate. He would bark at the top of his lungs for the entirety of the time we were gone.

I had deliberately asked the rescue for an easy dog because it was our first time fostering. And a dog that could tolerate being home alone because we live in a condo and have close neighbors.

We had him for about six months and I was just really burnt out. I posted Onyxx online, distributed flyers around town, took him to a training class, brought him to various pet-friendly events with his adopt me vest on, and introduced him to everyone we met. Nothing panned out.

I felt sad and a little guilty returning him but now that he's gone, everyone is happier. The boyfriend is able to sleep through the night, Mr. N is reveling in being the center of attention at all times again and enjoying all-day hiking trips and I don't have to be constantly watching to make sure he's behaving or coming home to some new havoc.

And I think he'll be happier being somewhere where he will always have company.