Introducing Deedle Dumbo Downs

I bought Annie a rat last month.

Let me go back a bit though so all of this will make sense...

When Josh deployed to Afghanistan in 2011, we decided to do something special for each of the kids based on what was most important to them. That meant Courtney got signed up for an acting camp and got to perform in Oliver Twist, Cole got to sign up for Martial Arts, and Annie got a pup named Shindand. (He was named after the place Josh was supposed to deploy to - though he never ended up in Shindand.)

Animals have always been Annie's 'thing' so getting her a pup sounded like a good idea at the time (We made several well-intentioned, but inevitably wrong, emotional decisions before he deployed.) and for awhile, it was good.

What we hadn't planned for was how strong Shindand's herding instincts would be, and while those herding instincts were tolerable/semi-tolerable for all of the humans in our household, they were considered totally intolerable by our old, cranky retreiver/lab mix, Shelby.

When Shindand was little, it wasn't a huge problem because Shelby would just pummel him to the ground to show him who the alpha dog was anytime he got on her nerves. As he got older (and bigger) though, he started to fight back and that's when things went horribly awry.

Eventually, Josh and I decided the best solution was to find a new home for Shindand because he was a handome, expensive, papered pup, who was young and microchipped and x-rayed for dysplasia - a pup anyone would want him, in comparison with Shelby who is old and un-papered and doesn't like anyone other than the people in our family.

I didn't want to give him to just anyone though because I knew that while a lot of people would want him, most people wouldn't be able to meet his needs. (In addition to needing lots of physical exercise and stimulation, Shepherds also need a ton of intellectual exercise and stimulation because they are dogs that need a 'purpose' or else they can get kind of neurotic.) I also felt that Shindand needed an experienced trainer to help him socialize better with other dogs. (I hired a trainer who came out to our house, but that had limited success in improving his relationship with Shelby.)

So I never blogged about this because quite honestly, the topic hurt and I felt ashamed of it, but after a few months of deliberating, I drove Shindand three hours away to a German Shepherd rescue that extensively trains and socializes Shepherds before placing them into homes (homes that require applications and inspections) or into more intensive Search & Rescue training.

I walked him into the front door and immediately told the gal waiting for us that I had changed my mind and proceeded back out the door and to my car with Shindand. Then we sat in the car while I cried for about 20-minutes before finally deciding to take him back in.

I felt like an irresponsible pet-owner, but even more, I really loved this slightly-neurotic dog and felt like I had failed him. It was hard on Annie too, but I think the hardest thing for her was that I refused to talk about it. Shindand had kind of become my dog though because his size and his personality was overwhelming for Annie, so she still preferred Shelby, who was smaller and calmer and didn't constantly herd and mouth her.

I called a few times during the next few weeks to see how he was adjusting and they said he was doing well, but then I quit calling because sometimes I like to stick my head in the sand because its less painful that way.

And since then, I've considered other pets for Annie because I really feel like she's a girl who needs a pet of her own, but our experience with Shindand has made me shy away from getting another dog (even a small one), my husband destest cats and I really didn't want something that smelled, but lacked intellect (like a gerbil or a hamster.)

I took Annie to lunch about four weeks back though and as we were leaving, we spotted a dead baby mouse in the lobby. I walked back into the restaurant to let the manager know about it (because I assumed that dead mice in the lobby might be bad for business) and when I came back, Annie was sitting on the floor alongside the carcass petting it and sobbing.

So I texted my husband and asked him what he thought about me pulling Annie out of school for the rest of the day and taking her to the pet store to get some sort of mouse or rat or gerbil or something.

In the moment, I didn't even care what kind of a pet it was - just something she could love on and call her own.

Josh agreed, and Annie's mouth dropped wide-open when we pulled into the parking lot of PetSmart.

And then we stood peeking into each and every cage while waiting for the PetSmart small-animal expert so we could ask some questions.

(Annie has developed a new habit of incessantly twisting her earrings, so just about every shot of her in the last month includes at least one of her hands up next to her ear.)

Within seconds of the PetSmart gal arriving to answer our questions, she looked at me and said, "If the idea of it doesn't gross you out too badly, you need to get her a rat."

She went on to say how smart and how social rats are and how other small pets like mice and guinie pigs just aren't.

She also went on to say that she thought Dumbo Rats to be particularly smart and particularly social.

They had one Dumbo Rat in stock and Yans was immediately smitten...

She named him, Deedle Dumbo Downs.

Josh just calls him Rat-Fink though.

Comments

[Kelli]

I think you are very responsible! You drove 3 hours, you actually cared about where Shindand went! Most people don't.
I just saw a photo shoot with a girl and her guinea pig and thought of Annie and Deedle Dumbo.

[Stacey from Texas Panhandle]

Karen,

You continue to amaze and inspire me! And frankly I can't really believe that you worry about what "we think". We have all made choices that didn't work out quite as well as we hoped!!! You did a great job handling the situation with Shindand. You were more responsible than MOST folks! I applaud your honesty ONCE again! Don't sweat it! Your a GREAT MOM and we love you!

[Addie]

Oh Karen, I can so relate to this! We got our first cat from the shelter in December and she's been amazing, perfect since day 1. Then we decided to get another cat, which was really fond of me and I was fond of her...but she had some issues. My hubby put up with the issues for awhile and then one day he said it was enough and we both knew we needed to do something with cat #2. So after lots of talking and lots of crying on my part I drove the cat back to the shelter and they were really good about it. But I felt like I had totally failed that cat! I stayed away from the shelter website for awhile, not wanting to see her face. A few weeks ago I heard a radio ad that the shelter was having a cat sale that weekend to make room for upcoming kittens. I finally looked at the site and saw her there. Then over that weekend I looked again and she was gone, had gone with a new family and the shelter happily announced that many cats went to new homes that weekend! It was all for the better but it didn't make it any easier on my heart strings! And cat #1 is still amazing and we love her so much!
Congrats to Annie and DDD!

[Mj]

My son got his first rat from the litter the mama rat at preschool had. After many years, that rat died and we got another one. It was a cool pet for him but it did give me the heebie jeebies. Especially that tail. I hope Annie likes her Deedle Dumbo as much as my son like his rats.

[Mallory]

You are one great mom! Firstly, you did take care of Shindad-surely, you'd never say that a woman who carefully selected a home and placed a baby for adoption because her life didn't permit her to raise the child as she knew she wanted it raised, was a bad mother?! Recognizing Annie's need for a lovable pet and finally bringing home a RAT make you an A-1 mom in my book!

[DanaL]

Such wonderful family! I love you all... even the rat :)))

[Denise M]

So sweet!! And for a rat Deedle Dumbo Downs is adorable. :) A couple years ago we adopted two ferrets for our girls to love and care for only to find out 2 days later I was extremely allergic to them (and all rodents) and ended up in the hospital in respiratory failure. I swear it broke my heart more to have to send those smelly little critters back to PetCo and see their sad faces give up their beloved creatures because I too felt I failed them. Momma and her stupid allergies ruining a "dream come true" once again. Since then they have raised tadpoles, praying mantis (beyond creepy) and butterflies. At the end of the day we just have to do what's best for all involved. You did good and are a great mama! :)

[Nicky from Okotoks]

You are a great mom and you did a very good thing with Shindand. He will end up in a great home and be well matched and loved. That is a responsible pet owner in so many ways.
Love the rat - pretty cute!!!
Miss you

[Sandy]

I also had to give a dog away when I couldn't care for her. One of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. And, I had a friend who had a rat that she loved more than I have ever seen anyone love an animal. I think you did the right thing on all accounts!

[Michelle A.]

The things we do for our kids.....

[Nancy Wyatt]

You are such an awesome mom. And I am not even a RAT girl. eeek. but you, you are awesome! Hugs from Conroe, TX

[Debbie]

Best pets ever for kids. Truly. you did good. I wish more people knew how great they are for kids. Both of my boys had rats...those rate lived on their shoulders. Rode on them all day. everyday.

[Carrie]

I honestly have been wondering when we were ever going to hear about Shindand, but didn't want to ask because I figured it must be a sensitive topic. I know how hard it is to have to change course with a pet, but it sounds like you made a BRAVE, thoughtful, and tough decision that was best for everyone. And now, so glad to hear you're all happy with a new pet. I'm not much of a rat (or any small rodents, for that matter) person, but really that last shot pretty much captures it all. Annie looks pretty pleased ;)

[Yvonne C]

I completely understand. We had to do the same thing with a yellow lab puppy. I have felt extreme guilt about it....even though we gave him to a loving family who was beyond thrilled to have him. I think it is 'mom guilt'. :) Good luck with the rat! You are braver than I am. I get freaked out just thinking about holding a rodent! :)

[Carol Shrader]

So beautiful! And just have to encourage you that my eight-year-old (who owns the same owl shirt) went about six months twisting her earrings all the time. And I mean, all. the. time. It seems to have passed -- so be encouraged! :)

[teresa b]

You are more brave then I...I could never get past the tail Brittani always wanted one!!

[Janine]

Oh Karen this made my heart sing and brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing xx

[Janine]

Whoops that comment was meant to go on the Keyton post - I'll head over there!

[Shelly]

What a sweet story! So sorry she has suffered allergies so long. Looking forward to more pics and stories about her future plans!