A few weeks ago, when I was at PAWS for my monthly doga practice, the gals in animal control asked if I would be able to foster a brindle puppy who had just been brought in minutes before. I said "I'll have to ask my husband."
Fostering is a subject that we've talked about many times before. We've "fostered" many kittens on our own that we found, and then tried to re-home. Yin, Zoi, and Mahogany are ours because we couldn't find new homes for them. Dan's objecion to fostering was "we'll end up keeping them." When I asked about fostering for PAWS this time, he grumbled "How long?"
So the next day I went to PAWS and told them I could foster. However, the little brindle puppy had a possible owner.
But the never-ending parade of animals that need homes produced a little black fuzzy puppy that looked like a bear. I brought him home to foster.
We called him Bosey, as in the Bose radio: "You won't believe such big sound comes from a little radio!" Bosey is scheduled to return to PAWS for adoption later this week.
Cade & Bosey
Aren't I cute?
The past 24 hours have been wrenching - both with joy and with sadness.
Yesterday evening was Cade's last basketball game of the season. He missed both games last week, so it was important to be there Tuesday. His team won! I don't know if they won any games last week, but they won last night. Cade even got a rebound.
Yesterday evening, I noticed Pepper in the backyard. Many of you may know Pepper - my blind, epileptic basenji. She has been declining in health for the past year or so, and we've noticed more and more dementia. However, when I saw her yesterday I knew something was desperately wrong. She was walking in circles (which really isn't unusual) but her posture was... different. I knew she'd suffered a stroke, or some other injury.
Today Dan and I took her to our vet Dr. Murphy. He confirmed she had some type of brain injury. There was a small chance she would improve a little, but a greater chance she wouldn't improve at all. I held her in my arms, struggling to find the right answer. I felt with my heart, hoping and searching for truth and guidance.
I asked her "are you ready to go?" I felt her twitch, her head moving slightly. Not wanting to put my own thoughts upon her meaning, I then asked "are you afraid?" With those words I had my answer. She relaxed and released into my arms, as if knowing I would make her better - by letting her go. (Thanks again to Dr. Murphy and all his staff for their compassion).
Cara at Kindred Hearts Bereavement has her earthly body. Cara believes, as do I, that our departed companions will come to us after their passing; in a dream, a flash of deja-vu, or some other way. Cara said she couldn't wait to hear about our dreams... given Pepper's one-of-a-kind, grouchy, mischievous, stubborn, trouble-making ways while here with us on this earth.
Shortly after coming home, I bent down to pick up our foster puppy to take him outside - and promptly ripped the ass of my favorite pair of pants. Thanks, Pepper.
Pepper, in 2007
Today I was back at PAWS for shelter doga. BIG THANKS to Cathy for joining. Cathy is a wonderful woman who fosters puppies for PAWS until they are old enough to be put up for adoption. She was a real trooper - never tried yoga before, and came despite a dislocated toe!
We worked with Stella and Tayler, two beautiful momma pit bulls. As you know, the APBT breed is very scary to many people. These girls did show some cage aggression - which is exactly the kind of behavior that prevents them from being adopted.
However, once they stepped outside their kennel, they both becamse sweet, loving ladies. It only took a few minutes for their crazy-energy to burn off, and they seemed to be grateful for the attention.
Too often we act upon our expectations, without seeing the truth - that we can't know what may happen, or how someone may behave. Open your heart and mind to try a new path, and don't be held back by your expectations. Joy and beauty are often found when we aren't looking for it.
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