I just read the post about your having children at home to witness this. I know that it is hard for them to see, it would be hard for me and I am nearly 60, but they are learning a valuable lesson. A responsibility to a life is for life. My kids had to witness me buy a puppy back and then have to euthanize it, lots of animals live their lives and then decisons having to be made for the ending of them, stillborn puppies, a dog seizure etc, etc. This is what it produced:
Oldest son - doesn't want pets because of the added responsibilty. He is a single father that lived in a dump for years and spent most of his considerable salary fighting to get his son back from an abusive ex wife. Now that he has his son with him he would make a candidate for Father of the Year. Even his ex mother-in-law told him that he was a terrific dad.
Younger son - soon to be married to a woman with 2 children. They have 2 cats and took on 2 cats that a woman his fiance worked with was going to put down because her new boyfriend "was allergic". One of the cats ended up with a serious abscess because of being bit by one of the resident cats and no expense was spared to get it the best veterinary care. Interviewed many people about this kitty until the perfect home was found with a clause in a contract, yes he used my adoption contract, that the cat would be returned to him if they decided not to keep it.
Daughter is owned by 2 shelties and 2 cats. Had a horse that ended up with a foot problem that ended it's show career. Daughter was 14, horse was 8 when it's foot went. Daughter paid that horse's bills, including board and vet, by first working at a chip wagon and then a store etc. etc. until the horse was put down at the age of 21 with cancer. She never went to dances or shopping at the mall but she lived up to her responsiblity.
I guess what I am trying to tell you is that although the situation is awful, your children can come out of it with lessons learned by watching you continue to love and support this puppy. Anyone else that has a problem with you spending your time and money on Leo is missing the compassion you are teaching your children.
You will always have our support.
Joanne