<p>Im not sure if Im posting in the right forum. </p>
<p>I’d rather not give too many details on the forum. To summarize, I live in a country in Europe. I ve lived there for years. Im 16 btw.
For the past year, my family and I have been living in a very small town. About 3 months ago, the local autorities took our dogs away illegally. Once again, sorry but I prefer not to go into detail. Let me just say that it was clearly illegal. I thought we’d solve the matter quickly but apparently not. My father is confident we’ll get them back soon.
We plan to return to “our” own country in April sometime. So I’ve applied to a few boarding schools.
Its just really not easy for me right now. The dogs are like part of our family. And the few adults that I’ve tried talking to about it told me that I wouldn’t get them back and change the subject to my SAT score. When I say I’ve done fairly well, they proceed to congratulate me and say everything will go great for me and I should just forget about the whole situation and get on with my life.</p>
<p>That doesn’t help me at all. I know that for some people they’re “just” dogs but not for me. I think about them all the time and I can’t “get on with my life”. </p>
<p>Due to the circumstances, I haven’t been able to work as much as I usually do. Im afraid of being behind next year in some subjects.</p>
<p>I ve tried to contact animal societies but they’ve been zero help.</p>
<p>Im typing on a mobile device so sorry for any mistakes.</p>
<p>Do you know where your dogs are now? I am not sure what happens in Europe, but in the US it would be common that the dogs would be euthanized fairly soon if they ended up in an animal shelter and were not adopted. Or if the police thought they were a threat to safety. Your dad might know something about where they are. Or, he might be saying they will come back soon when in reality he knows they will not (just to keep from upsetting you). Sorry, I know this would be awful if it has happened, but it could be the case.</p>
<p>Lots of things happen that are unfair in life. You probably can’t get them back if your parents have been unable to do so. Could you focus some time on some kind of volunteer work with animals that might make you feel better? I know you are in a small town, so maybe not. But maybe volunteering to walk neighbor dogs or something just to spend some time with dogs might make you feel better. I assume your parents won’t let you get a new puppy, as that also probably would help… but it is worth asking.</p>
<p>You do need to find a way to compartmentalize this so you can keep moving forward with the other things that are important. If you plan to go to college in the US, this is not a good year to have a slump, and not the sort of reason that gets a lot of sympathy from admissions committees who have so many applications to review.</p>
<p>They were definitely not put in an animal shelter. The autorities just called their friends/ friends of friends/ neighbors etc to find them new families.
I didn’t give all the details but I will add it wasnt only about the dogs. The situation involves illegal action against members of my family as well.
I dont think he’s saying that to comfort me as he’s said that to other people as well.</p>
<p>My parents want to get them back just as much as I do. </p>
<p>I love dogs, have volunteered in shelters, walked peoples dogs etc. But at the moment, I dont want anything to do with dogs. I mean, I miss mine so much, it just makes me feel terrible petting someone s dog. Ever since it happened, I ve been keeping a distance with animals. So I dont want to get another dog. Im not even thinking about that right now as Im still hoping Ill get mine back. Plus I dont think it would be fair to the dog to be used as a temporary or not replacement.</p>
<p>I am doing the best that I can to keep up with school work. My grades arent dropping or anything.</p>
<p>I have nothing but hugs for you! Hang in there! I know it’s really tough when people don’t understand. I knowiit’s like a human member of your family got taken away, and you don’t know where they are, but most people don’t see it that way. If it helps you to have someone to talk to maybe you can talk to another animal lover, because, unfortunately, a lot of times people who are not just don’t get it. Stay strong. I really hope you get them back. I can’t do even imagine.</p>
i appreciate it. Yo understand what I mean about them being part of the family.</p>