I was excited to finish “E”. I was finally to the “F” words. “F” words are AWESOME!
“F” was supposed to be for Factoring. I mean, really, that was one of the main points of this exercise… to talk about Factoring.
And then this week happened. This week of zero sleep, frantic, nervous energy and a little crazy thrown in.
“F”, my friends, is for Fostering.
I have been involved in dog rescue for years, indirectly. I have taken off in the middle of the night and driven for hours to pick up a dog. I have donated food and resources to larger scale rescue efforts. I have even participated in some ah…clandestine efforts to help dogs leave unhealthy and dangerous situations.
I fostered four Rottweilers in 2014. Each had a different story. Each needed something different. Each was successfully adopted.
My last foster was adopted the week after Christmas and I needed a break. Last week, I told GEPDA (http://gepdaus.org/ ) that I would be ready for another dog at the end of April.
At the beginning of this week, GEPDA learned of a 7 month old female Cane Corso who was dumped at a shelter (there is quite a story there…let’s just say it is under investigation). I saw her intake pictures. Covered in mange, pain evident (lesions and open wounds) and very clearly underweight. Without so much as a conscious thought I told the rescue and the shelter to get her to me ASAP.
I picked up Little Miss (still have to pick the right name for her) 36 hours later. A 7-month old female Cane should weigh 60-70lbs. Little Miss weighs 40. At least half of her little body is covered in scabs and wounds from the mange. I can see every rib and vertebrae. I knew it was going to be bad. I was not prepared for this kind of bad. Katy (my friend from GEPDA) and I stood there, watching her, crying (neither of us are criers).
Here is the thing…Little Miss doesn’t know she is miserable. While that is heartbreaking to say – that pain and misery are her normal – she does not know it.
She wags her tail and bonds easily with people. For her, a full tummy, less itchy skin and less pain is new and wonderful. Even my vet said “Wow, she is a doll” as Little Miss was trying to climb in his lap. He then said…”You know, she could be a train wreck”. He is right. She could be. The true effects of the malnourishment, abuse and neglect might not be known for some time – physically and/or behaviorally. It doesn’t matter.
She has every reason to be bitter, angry and lash out. Instead, she has not let her circumstance get her down. It is as if she knows that every good thing that happens for her is a blessing. I will make sure there are many good things. Even if it turns out she is that train wreck. Even if horrible decisions have to be made.
The lesson…
Don’s miss the opportunities that today brings because there might be a train wreck at some point in the future.
Another…
Don’t waste time chasing the train wreck that might happen. Instead, appreciate today’s blessings as the blessings they are.
And…
Being bitter and angry at your circumstance doesn’t change the circumstance; nor does it inspire others to help you change it.
Finally…
If all else fails, take a page out of the dog’s playbook…pee on it and walk away!
Melissa~