than Baby Girl got adopted? after months of invisibility, all of a sudden last week there was a flurry of interest...folks responding to her photo online and asking to meet her. she had two interviews in 12 hours and could have had a third, but the second couple recognized her as extraordinary and knew she would fit perfectly into their lives and they took her home.
the biggest challenge about fostering dogs is that you get attached. it made me deeply sad when each of the little puppies left...i wasn't prepared for how hard it was, saying goodbye. and of course, i couldn't say goodbye at all to Maggie, the mom-dog. She's family, now.
with Felicia, i'd known from the start that she would do best living in a cat-free zone, so i had resisted thinking of her as mine. at the same time i accepted that hers was a limited demographic appeal and that if she never found that "click", she'd be staying with me...so while i appreciated and loved her, while i wept when she left and while i still miss her sweet, powerful energy, her leaving felt ordained...that things were as they should be.
baby girl was different. maybe cause i'd watched her, in the shelter and here at home, grow from a big, goofy pup into a young, peaceful, playful dog who was gradually revealing a beautiful old soul. she just seemed to grow more wonderful, by the day. so much time had passed that i was beginning to imagine her a permanent part of my life. the sudden prospect of letting her go was shocking and i'll confess to you that if it hadn't been the best possible fit, i was prepared to protect her. not sure how i would have done that, but i could not have let her go to the wrong home.
it was perfect, this one. the young couple was perfect. they asked the right questions, described what life would look like for her. they cuddled and cooed her, walked and played gently with her. knowing they wanted a dog companion, they had spent a month preparing their house and yard before ever starting the search. and they seemed to know that she was the one...the only dog they asked to meet. she was, it seems, meant for them.
i've since seen pictures of her swimming in a creek, stick in mouth. her new mom writes lovely things about how she's made their lives complete. she will go camping, climbing, hiking, exploring with them. she will be happy and fulfilled, respected and appreciated. but, still, my heart is torn.
it was a blessing, baby girl, to know you. i send you my love.
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