This is a message we never thought I’d be writing, but we’ve made the difficult decision to look for a new home for our dog.

Before anyone jumps in with judgment, yes, we feel guilty. Rehoming a pet isn’t something we take lightly. The reality is that she deserves an owner who has more time to be home with her and give her the attention she needs.

When we got her, I was actually the one pushing for a dog in the first place, but we’ve done our best to make it work and now the wife is at her wits end. Unfortunately, we’re at the point where it’s no longer working for our family. Yes we know a dog is a huge commitment, and we’ve always had dogs, it’s just that this dog is way harder than all the other dogs we’ve had and with an already crazy busy, kid and responsibility filled life, it’s not working. The constant indoor accidents whenever she’s left alone, or when it’s wet and cold and Her Royal Highness decides the grass is unacceptable, have become more than we can cope with.

For anyone interested, she’s a small “bitsa” dog — part Chihuahua, part Terrier, part Pomeranian, and part “who knows what else.” She’s got a gentle temperament, is used to kids and cats, and has the sort of fur that’s generally considered hypoallergenic.

She does like to announce visitors with a bark when someone knocks on the door, and while she’s mostly good with toileting, she can have the occasional accident if it’s wet, cold, or she feels another animal is getting more attention than she is. She’s definitely a dog who likes being someone’s special someone.

This isn’t about not caring for her. It’s because we do care that we want to find her a home where she’ll get the time, company, and lifestyle that suits her better than what we can currently provide.

If you or someone you know might be interested, please send me a message.