By admin 
Paul Silva learned the hard way about rehoming a dog and wants others to learn from his nightmare experience. Silva, a United States Navy sailor, received orders for an 8-month deployment to the Middle East. Realizing he would need care for his dog while overseas, Silva asked family members to care for his 5–year–old Golden Retriever, Archie.
What started as a simple request without any issues turned into a series of unfortunate events, a lack of communication, and one loyal dog dad’s search to find the dog his family rehomed. Silva hopes his tale will inspire others to be clear about pet care so they don’t suffer the same heartbreak.
A Soldier’s Simple Request for Pet Care
“While I was away, something happened that I was completely unaware of and never would have agreed to — my dog was given away without my knowledge or consent,” Silva shared in a since-updated Facebook post.
The Jersey native, who now calls Virginia home, was deployed to the USS Truman as part of his Navy duties. In his absence, he asked his family to watch over Archie. Silva describes Archie as “my heart, my companion, and a piece of my soul that helped carry me through some of the hardest times in my life.” He says the dog is more than a pet and that the bond he shares is irreplaceable.
Silva touched base with his family as often as possible, as the aircraft carrier he was on was attacked and fired upon by an Iranian-backed terror group. With all the stress of serving his country and being under fire, Silva thought of his pup waiting at home.
Rehoming A Dog: A Soldier’s Devastation
Archie had a hard time being away from his dog dad. No one ever told Silva that Archie was having issues settling in. Silva never had issues leaving Archie with people, so the news of rehoming the day was a shock.
A relative told Silva during a phone call that they had no choice but to “give the animal away” because Archie had problems staying at the house. Once he returned home from service, Silva set his sights on finding his beloved Golden Retriever.
He took to social media and wrote,
“I’m reaching out publicly not out of anger, but out of heartbreak. I am respectfully asking you to please consider returning my dog to me,” he wrote. “I am pleading with you, not just as a veteran, but as someone who lost something deeply precious to them without any choice or voice in the matter.”
Thanks to the Toms River and Monmouth County police departments, Silva didn’t have to wait long to find his beloved pooch. A sweet family cared for Archie, for which the soldier is thankful. Silva even helped the family find a Golden Retriever puppy in return for their honesty and kindness. We love a happy ending to the story of rehoming a dog where the duo is reunited!
The Aftermath of a Family Matter
Silvo recently posted an update to his Facebook account to clarify things and put everyone at ease. He wrote:
“I want to take a moment to publicly share that I am in full support of Jamie and her boyfriend. I know there’s been a lot of misunderstanding and hurt surrounding Archie, and I want to be clear: Jamie and her boyfriend never had bad intentions. They gave Archie love, care, and a good home during a time when I wasn’t able to be there.”
Ensuring Caregivers Understand Your Wishes When Dogsitting
To be sure everyone is on the same page, here’s a checklist of things to do before allowing someone to care for your dog or cat or any pet in your absence:
Write Down Detailed Instructions
It’s best to type this up, print a copy, and save it if needed. The list should include your pet’s:
- Medication, supplements, and times to dispense
- Feeding schedule, amounts, and type of food
- Exercise and walk/potty routines
- What not to feed your dog
- Your pet’s favorite toys, bed, and activities
- Sleeping arrangements
List health concerns and any emergency contacts, including:
- Allergies and sensitivities
- Treats that are allowed
- Triggers that upset your dog (i.e., thunderstorms, fireworks, etc.)
- What to do if your dog is hurt, injured, or sick
- Provide your veterinarian’s contact information with address
- Include at least two to three emergency veterinarians
Provide a list of dos and dont’s to anyone caring for your dog, such as:
- Things the dog is allowed to do (walks, indoor play, toys they should play with)
- Things you don’t want your dog to eat, do, or try (no rough play, not fond of kids, etc.)
- Include non-negotiable items, such as not giving the dog away, what to do if things become overwhelming, and backup caregivers you’ve approved in advance.
If you are working with a pet sitter, do a trial run and know how to find a pet sitter that’s right for your dog or cat.
Have an honest face-to-face conversation with the dog’s caregiver who will be helping in your absence. Ask if they have questions, review the list in detail, and let them know your wishes. It’s much easier to prevent a nightmare than to try to recover a rehomed dog.
Photo credit: feature image Pexels