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D20 Forever Home

It was a casual comment and request.   After enjoying a Saturday brunch with my girlfriend, we decided to stop by the nearby animal shelter and "just look" at dogs.  I still felt that it was a bit soon to get another dog, as I was unsure if I had given myself enough time to heal from the hurting loss of Goldyn.  It took a few tries for us to even find the shelter, as it had a new location from when we adopted Goldy 12 years ago.  But with persistence, we found it and were definitely surprised and pleased with how the new shelter was so much larger and nicer than before.  Of course, there were cute puppies, and various other dogs that caught my eye, but what was I looking for? Was I really looking or just going through the motions?  I wasn't sure . . . 

Going through the last section of bigger dogs, there at the end of the line was a German Shepherd type.  Her cage had no information on it, she just had big paws, big ears, and looked as if she may have recently weaned a litter of puppies.  Her big head pressed into the bars of her cage, bowing before me, seeking my attention.  I wasn't sure about her, I have never had a German Shepherd and I wondered if she was going to get even bigger?  I think it was her sweetness that drew me in, no offensive barking, just a paw that tried to reach out to me.  As if it were planned, a volunteer attendant was there to let me walk her.  She was mellow in spirit as we started off through the park, content to sniff around and let me lead her.  No aggressive actions and equally social to those who greeted her.  She was a really nice dog. . . 

Walking back into the shelter, I had to ask more details about her.  She had just arrived the night before, brought in by police officers from a desert town.  No name, just presumed to be at least 7 years old, and already micro-chipped, confined now to cage D20.  Pets there are on a "first come first served basis", no deposits are accepted.  I had to make a decision.  My mind raced, once again I was on the brink of adopting a dog that wasn't exactly what I had planned for.  But what had I thought of?  Probably, that she was too old, and I  didn't want to go through the loss of another dog in the near future.  Yet in some ways it may be good, because she already is socialized, and potty trained, and probably won't have that destructive puppy stage of chewing and gnawing on everything.  My girlfriend was no help in dissuading me, but encouraged me that for whatever years I have her, she will be in a good home.  Yes, she would have a forever home, as pet adoption centers advocate.  

She came home right after her spaying surgery.  That first evening, she walked through every room in the house, wandering and sauntering to find her place.  In some ways, she was like a overly tired child, too sleepy to lay down on her own.  But then she found her dog pillow and allowed her eyes to close, as she laid down beside my son. . .

It has been about 6 weeks since I wrote those words, and with each day "D20" has been finding her way into our hearts and home.  Her official name is "Princess Jasmine" or otherwise known as "Jazzy Girl."  The good news is that my vet has pronounced her around the age of 4 years old.  Every morning she and I hit the streets for our walk.  She's not a runner like my other dogs, instead she "prances and trots" beside me.  However, I have discovered if she has motivation to run after a cat up ahead, she will be inspired to break a sweat. She enjoys eating real food, like chicken and mackerel, and now readily eats her dog food, although at first she was a bit finicky.  But that was probably her initial precaution in her new enviroplanment.  Being comfortable now, she has shown quite a nose for any food left on the table or counter, as we have discovered her ability to reach for it when no one is looking, definitely showing no shyness in doing so.

So who knew that I would be having another dog adventure again?  Was I ready for it?  Probably not, but Jasmine has filled my heart with that unconditional love that reminds me of God's goodness and grace.  I remember that as Jasmine has landed in her forever home, I too am placed forever home with Him. . .

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