Musings: Three Months! 12 Weeks! 84 Days!

January 20, 2018

WOW! Three months! 12 weeks! 84 days!
This is the length of time I have been with my new family.

During this time I have learned love and I have learned loss, I miss my big sister every day. I have come to understand the freedom of having a back yard to play in, of chasing squirrels and having wind in my fur. But I have also learned that it frightens Mom when I bolt out the front door to do my chasing – so I try not to do this (as often!) I am learning I don’t need to “cringe” when someone corrects me or when someone comes over me to pick me up, no one will ever hurt me again. This week Dad decided to have me be his new companion puppy and I did really good riding in his new (used) big pickup; and this week, I also learned that my cat sister and my big brothers really do love me – they sleep with me, Tesla watches over me, and Lincoln is playing with me!

As I reflect on my new forever home, I’m reminded my life started so differently. I never thought I would be one of those puppies who wasn’t wanted. I was (and am) a sweet girl and only wanted to be loved. I wasn’t always a good girl, I have a lot of energy and my new Mom calls me “high-spirited” something she always says with a smile and pure love. But the people who had me before couldn’t handle my spirit and sadly I became one of those “throw-away” puppies that no one wanted.

But because of a very special place, very special people and a very special Foster Mom, I was saved from the ”kill shelter” where my life could have ended. The thought of this brings my Mom to tears and she with me, are very thankful I was saved by this amazing group of people. The humans from Journey Home Rescue saved my life and my special foster Mom cared for me for three months, until it was time for me to have this new and wonderful life.

Mom told me the story of how I came to be their puppy. Mom follows a website that sends her regular email messages about ShihTzu puppies from across the country who need rescued like me (http://shihtzu.rescueme.org). One night, she received a message and there was a photo of me with my story. She talked to Dad and that very night they sent an application for adoption and then they waited. In a few days they learned that they would have a “home visit”, this happened, and then they waited. On a Monday night, while my Mom was teaching she received a special email. As she walked to her car after her class, with tears streaming down her face, she read the words “Maggie and Craig – after chatting with Coco Chanel (that was my foster name) today, she wants us to ask if you would be her new family?” – Mom could hardly wait to tell Dad! On Friday of that very week after a two day drive for me, I came to my new forever home and my life was forever changed.

Let me tell you about Journey Home Rescue (check them out on FB!). They are a non-profit multi-state rescue, founded by rescuers with over 80 years of rescue experience. They are headquartered in Washington, with wonderful rescue-humans also in Idaho and Oregon. They have a special mission to rescue and rehabilitate unwanted, injured, sick, abandoned, and neglected animals; to provide them with medical and emotional support; and, to find them loving and responsible homes. They are one of the many rescues from across the country making a difference in the lives of the “throw-away puppies”. And, with the special people who rescue us, like my Mom and Dad, and so many others, special lives are being saved.

As I consider all of the things I have learned in my three months with my new family, maybe the most important is learning I am a very blessed and very loved puppy.