Bailey, the Dog

Dan got his next assignment and, apparently, has had a talk with Kelly. He sent me an email saying he is going to Baku and will be in a small apartment. No one will be there to care for the animals during the day so he can't take them with him. He is looking for a home for Bailey and asked if we would take him. My instinct is, of course, to say absolutely. Shawn's instinct, of course, is to say no. There are pro's and con's but the biggest reason to do it is because Dan needs us to. I talked to Shawn this evening and he is struggling. He's asked to think about it for a bit. This won't be taking Bailey for a few weeks or months but for years - maybe his entire life. I don't know if Dan will ever be able to claim him again - and if he can, if Bailey will really remember being part of Dan's life. For sure we would have him three years as that's the average length of time an assignment lasts.

My heart is shattered for Dan. Obviously Kelly has told him she has no intention of going with him to his next assignment so one of the two will be filing for divorce. Dan has lost everything - his wife, his girls, his home, his pets, probably 70% of his salary and half his retirement. The only things he has left is his job and his siblings. His girls will probably always be visitors now - unless he retires before they finish high school and one or both of them decide to live with Dad. He's going to be halfway around the world locked in a small apartment with no family or friends. I am terrified he's going to start to get careless with his safety figuring there's no one he needs to protect himself for anymore. And all I really can do is pray for him.