Sometimes the universe gives you exactly what you need.
Saturday Hubby and I went to a family run pet store. As often happens we started talking about dogs and dog food. Turns out this lady started her pet store because one of her dogs had food allergies and she couldn’t get the food he needed.
We shared that Delilah is a rescue and she shared that she has rescued a few dogs. I asked if she’d heard about the Just One Day project and she hadn’t, so we exchanged cards so I could get her the information she needs so she can help promote next year’s one day.
I also told her that I shared dogs on my facebook page and participated in a blog hop that shared dogs in need of homes.
I said, “Some of them just touch your heart.”
Hubby said, “They all touch your heart.”
Yes of course they all touch my heart, how could they not? Since I’ve been sharing dogs both on facebook and here, I must have shared hundreds, if not more. Do I remember them all? I’d be lying if I said I did.
Sometimes I think it’s for my own self-preservation. The sadness of animal welfare in this country can be overwhelming. I’d never sleep if I remembered them all.
But there are some that haunt me. I remember their faces and I remember their names.
Looking at her sweet face just about breaks my heart.
Dogs like Penelope, who even though she is safe in foster care looks so worried.
Dogs like Little Lady No Name, who is eight-years old, blind and possibly pregnant. (I did find out they were calling her Moo Shu or #24.)
I started talking about Little Lady No Name and sharing her story, when suddenly the woman’s daughter exclaimed, “She was adopted!”
“Are you sure?” I think I might have clutched at my chest where my heart should be.
She grabbed her phone and started scrolling, explaining as she did that she follows the Hartford Pound. And then she showed me her picture and said, “This girl?”
I nodded my head, “Yes, yes that’s her.”
“She was adopted.”
It took every fiber of my being not to sob with joy. She made it out!
I said in last week’s Follow-Up Friday post that I don’t check on the dogs because it will break my heart to find out they didn’t make it. But this time, the universe gave me just what I needed.
Oh she’ll probably still haunt me but in a way that pushes me to continue to share, because we really can make a difference.
What pushes you when you feel lost or helpless? Where do you draw your inner strength from?
What lovely news and such a sweet way to find out!
OMG! I’m so glad she was adopted! It made my day!!!!! You don’t know how much I have thought about her since you put her on the blog hop! I didn’t put her on the Tuesday’s Tails Roundup because I was so afraid she didn’t make it out.
And now if only Penelope can find her forever home!
YAY for Little Lady getting that happy ending!!!
You are right about remembering some dogs, and others you barely can recall, and some you just pray have safely found their way. Some of my foster dogs I can remember their faces, names and their stories like they were here yesterday, others I can barely remember. And of course we have had foster dogs that got the happy ending, some sadly didn’t. How do I keep going? There have been many days that I have felt like I can’t–But I’ve decided that it’s part of who I am, and that hope and desire to try and make a difference for one more dog gives me that strength to go on…
That is so pawsome! Sometimes God sends us signals when we really need them. Mom says everything happens for a reason. You can’t force things and if things are just working out, you are on the right path and you will see the rewards. You saw the reward!
That is great news. We find it so sad that the older ones are not wanted. We wish they could all find homes. Have a marvellous Monday and stay cool.
Best wishes Molly
What a sweet story.
I ask rescue volunteers all the time how they handle the heartaches. Almost all say that they have a hard time with it. I guess to stay whole, we have to just focus on the happy endings like this.
And this is just what I needed! Thanks, Jodi 🙂
Finding out that seemingly unadoptable dogs have found good homes convinces me that we are on our way to a No Kill nation. People just need to see the dog in need and make a connection with them. The internet is the best thing that ever happened to homeless and lost dogs.
OMD!! SOOOOO HAPPY that she made it out!! That, plus knowing my own little demon is feeling better today, makes my whole day brighter!
They ALL touch my heart, too. And our shelter is a high-kill, despite their efforts not to be. There are “tons” of volunteers, fosters, transporters, etc., but they just can’t seem to get a handle on the problem. And, it doesn’t help that they were deluged with the rescue of 100+ dogs from two different puppy mill raids in just over a week’s time. They have been practically begging for supplies — I still have to get some over to them
— these last two weeks.
My love for my own three — and their unconditional love for me — is my inner strength. I get depressed just going up to our shelter at times. I hate to see the poor dogs and cats in the kennels…I want to take them all out and bring them home with me. That’s why I had to stop volunteering after my externship was over. I was a basket case worrying about Ducky last year before we adopted her. I can’t go through that again.
We are THRILLED to hear that she was adopted!! THAT lifted our spirits.
That is really good news!
I wanted a dog in college but couldn’t have one….so I volunteered with the local animal shelter to drive dogs to adoption events. There was this one particular dog that touched my heart. I wanted her so bad. Unfortunately, her “fosters” (neighbor found lost do and they agreed to house her until a home was found) had an issue with her and admitted her to another shelter. I sure hope she made it out!
Oh my gosh…that is the best news!!! I am so happy for Lady No Name I am doing zoomies in circles! It’s true…every one of those faces and stories touches us.
*Cairn cuddles*
Oz
That’s so great that she was adopted!!
I agree that remembering them all and seeing them all in your mind’s eye would not be healthy. You do so much good. Once you do your best, there’s nothing else to do.
Yay! She was adopted. 🙂 I understand not wanting to follow-up. So many heartbreaking stories out there.
Oh, hooray for her being adopted!
I try to just focus on the positive. Of course, it’s a little easier at the shelter I volunteer at because it’s a no-kill. I don’t know if I could handle volunteering at a place where a dog might not make it – but at our shelter they all make it out eventually (unless they are too sick of course). Even one dog that was a bit of a handful, we had him at the shelter for years – which could be sad, but heck the dogs there get a lot of love and walks because there are so many volunteers and caring folks who work there – even he eventually got a home.
Thanks for passing along the good news! I’m so relieved.
It’s so wonderful when you hear that news Jodi! I still remember when Simon was finally adopted (that blue eyed labbie mix that I was sharing forever).
Best. Words. Ever.
What a great day! And you just made me cry! Glad that girl got a home I hope they all do. Thanks for what you do to help find these dogs a home.
I am so so pleased, I am so glad the universe found a way of letting you (And us) know that she is a-ok! What a brilliant start to the day!
How could they not touch your heart. Your heart is just so damn big. 🙂
Go glad you got good news. Hope Moo Shu is very happy in her new home.