As I set out for my early morning walk with my two fosters and my own golden, I passed many people in cars going to work.  As I looked at them, I couldn’t help but notice that each one was looking at me and smiling.  I thought perhaps I cut a comical sight as we four have not yet mastered walking as a team or perhaps it was the empty potential poop bags I was carrying in the pouch of my sweatshirt which made quite a bulge.

 

During my walk I focused on one of my fosters who was now walking a very strong mile and a half.  What a difference, I thought, from the dog I picked up barely two weeks ago.   I volunteered to take on a second foster when the mass email came out saying that there were dogs being kenneled due to lack of available foster homes.  He would have been one of those dogs.

 

On the ride home from West Park, he whined and jumped around my car in obvious distress.  This did not stop when we got home although, in addition, he started to howl.  Granted, it wasn’t the best night for sleeping.  But by the next afternoon he settled down.  However, he was a sick dog who refused dry food and would only eat small portions of canned food.  It required another trip to the vet for new antibiotics in order for him to turn the corner to good health. I can’t imagine how horrible it would have been for him to be kenneled throughout this time.

 

Let me tell you, now that his whole personality has emerged, this is one perfect dog.  It is amazing to me that, even though abandoned by his original owner, and in addition, also sick, never did his loyalty to the human race falter, nor did he ever become angry.  I was consistently greeted with kisses and tail wags.  If I go outside, he watches me at the door and waits until I return.  I could go on and on but to make a long story short, he is just all love.

 

This morning, as I watched him, I realized how honored I feel being the one to help. As we neared home, I noticed still one more person on his way to work smiling and then waving at us and I finally realized the real reason that he smiled.  It is because he wished he could be in my place.

 

 

By Brenda P.