From shelter to front porch
The Story of Foster is lengthy, but here are some details....
Jason decided he was ready to add to The Pack. I said I wasn't ready. How could I be ready? I had no business adding to the family. I'm still crying every day about how I miss my Koko and Satchel and how I just want them back. I'd just had a dream that Satchel had come back from the dead and instead of calling all the news teams to come out and film his miracle, I felt it was just normal for him to be back with us. He still needed some physical support, but he could breathe and he was with us and that was right. Jason reminded me that Koko had come to me in a dream too...that was True.
A few months ago, my Sweet Koko came to me in a dream. It wasn't just a dream. It was Her. She told me that Of Course I would have more dogs in my life. I am me and I will have dogs. I hugged her and smelled her and soaked her in as much as I could. She told me that my next dog would be named "True." It physically hurt to wake up and not be with her.
Jason told me I would never think I was ready, but he could see that we were ready. The Pack was ready. There was an email for me to read.
There was a puppy without a solid home. A Boxador. The girl who was trying to care for her couldn't continue. Jason wanted to meet them both. I didn't have "that feeling" I've had with Satchel, Luna and Koko. That Feeling that That Dog Is Mine before I've even met him or her. But I also realized I've never felt like this before - so deep in grief that I'm merely functioning through many days. Though I felt the girl was very attached, we made a date to meet.
This started a process that I still feel removed from. I feel that I was completely guided by God and purposely removed because I have been in the way of my own happiness.
Before the Boxador was to come over, I filled out an application on-line for Almost Home Animal Haven. I was attracted to a dog they called "Jake" who was described as their "Office Manager." My application was approved about 12 hours later and I was to come meet him in about a week. We were to meet the Boxador in a few days. I felt completely crazy. How was this happening? Who was I? I wasn't ready.
The Sunday Boxador date was canceled. The girl and her family were going to figure out how to keep the puppy. I knew it, and it was ok. I wasn't ready anyway.
Last Tuesday was an important vet appointment for Miss Luna. I found out she's allergic to just about everything she's eating and is full of inflammation which is feeding 3 "very concerning" lumps that need to be removed right now. One seemed very similar to the type of lump Satchel had removed 5 years ago which required 18 radiation treatments as well. I felt faint. I definitely wasn't ready to add to Our Pack. I had to focus on Luna. Nutrition plan = HUGE expense. I'd figure it out. I made a million phone calls and was ready to take care of Luna. I was not ready to add to My Pack.
Who drove me to the shelter last Wednesday? The Hands of God. I thought I would be interviewed and have a home visit scheduled. I was given a dog to foster for 2 weeks. "Jake" was coming to Casa Curtin-Hess. The word TRUE had come through so many sentences and was in so many descriptions. I wondered if this whole experience could be True...
I didn't want to call him "Jake." We wanted to help him let go of all that was before, but I wasn't feeling that his name was "True." Did that mean he wasn't ours? He seemed awfully comfortable with us.
We wore him out within the first 2 hours...
We started calling him our Foster Dog and decided he needed to experience The Show...the busy days at Casa Curtin-Hess. He would be meeting dozens of people and several dogs, and we'd have to help him learn The Way To Behave. He performed fantastically.
He barked at something and Luna showed him how to assess what kind of vocalization is needed
We're learning his favorite spots and particular needs...
He LOVES the fireplace
...and just like everyone else who has ever lived in this house - he loves Jason best...
Jason has a buddy again
We're still getting to know each other, and the adoption can't become final for another week of "Fostering," but we're not a givesy-backsy kind of family. We're committed to meeting the needs of Our Pack and we are now a Pack of Six: 4 of the Earth, and 2 who I still meet in my dreams...
1 comment:
Jake was a very special boy. I loved him a lot when he was at AH. I know he will be a little piece of heaven on earth for you. Please take good care of him. JC
Post a Comment