Just A Dog Story

A few years ago, I had my heart broken.  It was 2006 and I was dreaming of traveling and learning, of acting on my beliefs and following my dreams.  I gave away my most loyal friend of two years, a beautiful German Shepherd Dog, and it almost crushed me.  This dog loved me.

At five weeks old she would wait for me outside any store indefinitely.   One crispy fall day in October 2004, this puppy and I

weresitting, leaning on the bricks outside of a Stewart’s Shop in New England.  A trucker approached me all alone and evening was coming.  That puppy must have sensed my apprehension because the little fat-bellied-fur-ball, which had previously only appeared to be in a semiconscious puppy dreamland, took a few terrified steps forward, looked that guy in the eyes and slowly curled her lip up.  I heard a deep rumbling growl from somewhere hellish and realized my puppy had just transformed into a force to be reckoned with.  The trucker stepped back.  Puppy’s confidence went through the roof.  I never had to worry again.  I loved that dog.

I wouldn’t change the past, but when I start to miss that giant fur-ball really bad, I look at adoptable pets online and assure myself that someday I’ll have a great dog again when I settle down more.  One such site was asking for foster moms and that’s how I recently got a puppy again…

They were thin, quiet and so sweet when I first saw them in PetCo. patiently awaiting a new home.  The litter of four was tossed to the side of the road out of a car and found in a ditch a month ago.  I imagine their insecurities, the hunger, the confusion and yet they are still trusting and ask to be held.  How can people be so cruel?  So I agreed to watch one of them until a family came for her.  (Every weekend they’re at adoption events at PetCo. from 11-4 on Saturdays and 11-2 on Sundays)

For two weeks I had a little black, not particularly cute, 3 mo. old puppy.  At first she was shy, terrified of cars and liked to go outside at 1am.  I wasn’t even sure I liked her.  I got some treats and held some “lady like behavior” classes.  We walked on a leash then ran on a leash then ran on a leash on the beach in sand on rocks and in water.  When she saw a lizard she liked to stand on her back legs and with her front two paws together, fall, full force directly on top of the lizard, basically exploding him in all directions.  I got a kick out if it.  We became buddies.  I told everyone that she was nameless.  The truth is she had a name and I knew it but I was scared that using it would be too much like “mommy” and not enough like “foster”. 

On the third weekend I was called and told that her new family was waiting to adopt her at PetCo..  I was so happy.  So off we went, like a pro on the leash, potty trained, bathed, loved and with a touch more confidence I was proud of my little project puppy.  She was at the best place she had ever been with a promising future ahead.  I had my dog fix.

Back in 2006 when I told myself there would be sacrifices- that moving on was just the beginning of the beginning, I was right. I live my dream everyday.  I have been given the chance to influence change, to follow my heart (sometimes to not-so-doggie friendly places), to learn, not just to dream but also to bring it all to life and make it mine.  Who says we can’t have it all?  I can’t have a dog because as a good friend of mine (whose life in Indonesia frequently makes me jealous) pointed out last week, I just “don’t lead a dog life”.  But, there’s more than one way to hangout with a dog again!

The good news is that we choose what we do, we choose what we hear, we choose what we learn and we choose what we fight for.  We are the most powerful agents for change in our world.  We have the power to influence everything around us.  We can make the world a better place; right here, right now, nothing flashy required, no need for the lottery, politics, names or brands.  We can encourage someone in need.  We can give a hug, a smile or advice.  We can see the ripples affect the flow and grow and multiply literally, forever.  Lets do something good today.  Its fun, free and it just may be the best way to spend our O, so precious time!


Want to check out the site, adopt a friend or be a foster parent, the website is: www.havenonearthanimalleague.com 

2 COMMENTS:

Anonymous said...

"wow...thanks for making me cry....man I miss that big old german shepard, I wish I could have taken her!!! Stephanie I love reading what you write, you are so gifted and your love for people is so evident and I could not be more proud to know you. You inspire me to be a better person EVERYDAY!!!! I love you Stephanie, keep up the great work!!!"  Rosie

Donna Peterson said...

"This is very sad! You need another dog..."