Write Your Own Happy Ending

My dog adoption application was rejected.  Denied. Don’t call us, we’ll call you (they never did). Closed. The heartbreaking part for me what that I’d already fallen in love with a very specific dog I was applying to adopt.  I’d taken her for walks, taken the requisite ‘we’re in love’ goofy photos, even named her. And now, the Board Of Unknowing Deciders was telling me I wasn’t good enough to love this dog forever.  I cried, hard.  Then I wrote an email.  Then, I got moving.

With my sister riding shotgun, we began a ‘tour de shelter’ of the greater Bay Area.  There are many dogs in this world that need love, and I found myself totally wanting to open my home to a small, sturdy little dog (no Chihuahuas need apply, sorry).  Falling in love with that particular dog had awakened something in me; I was ready for dog love.  The farts, the early morning poo walks, the affection, the works.  I had already so completely imagined my life with a new furry companion, it seemed absurd to let go of that dream just because some people told me ‘no’.

‘Where there’s a will there’s a way’, and ‘love finds a way’, are two of the phrases that kept floating through my mind on this three day quest.  My will took me through a full tank of gas (I drive a hybrid!) over several days zig-zagging across  the Bay Area.  After 3 days, I worked my way to Stockton, where I met and immediately said yes to Huxley, a puggle.  He’s more dignified than his breed makes him seem.

I’m amazed at how easy it would have been to become totally paralyzed by that decisive ‘NO’, and what a love I’d be loosing out on if I’d let that happen to me.  I’m thrilled that I literally wrote and acted out my own happy ending and now have a snoring dog leaning on my legs.

Some things are worth working for, what’s yours?