Dog(and then pie)

Well...this is it. One of the hardest decisions I've had to make.

From the very beginning I never had any doubt that I would take Rider with me to Toronto. I love him and I would miss him and he would miss me. Then I left for two weeks and he stayed with a couple of my friends, one of which had a dog. When I came back and they dropped him off I fully expected him to jump into my arms and make me promise that I would never leave him again because he missed me as much as I missed him.

But he didn't really.

He just walked away in mid-pet as if to say, "So, where do you keep the snacks lady?"

Before my friends left one said jokingly that they had so much fun that they would gladly take Rider off my hands if I wanted to leave him behind. Ha ha, I said, but no he was coming with me.

And then I got to thinking. Was that the best choice? I missed Rider but he clearly didn't miss me so, really, the only reason I would be taking him would be to selfishly satisfy my needs. How would he benefit at all?

I'm going to guess that when I get a job it will be pretty far from where I live which means I won't be able to come home for lunch as I do now and I will likely be later getting home from work. Rider would be home alone all day and into the evening. By himself. That's sad. If he stayed here he would be with another dog and an owner who would be home more.

To make matters worse my brother and his family, who I will be living with for a while, don't want him there at all. Which is understandable. They have a small house and a dog of their own and Rider sheds more than any creature I've ever seen.

I don't know what to do. I've gone as far as to ask my friend if he was serious and he is going to think about it and tell me tomorrow. I don't even know what I will do with his answer. Whatever it is.

Do I keep my little guy, who has seen me through one of the loneliest times of my life with unconditional love and companionship, so that I have one constant in my brand new life far away from my family and friends? Do I reward him for that friendship with an empty home?

Or do I let him go to a new home with an owner who will be there more and a new doggie friend who will keep him company when the owner isn't around.

I think I know. But I won't give him to a stranger if my friend decides to pass.

I guess I'll wait until tomorrow.

I think I'm going to have some pie.

P.S. My brother has said many times that I can bring Rider with me if I want so don't think my brother is a jerk because he really isn't. He's awesome.