Puppy Love

Almost a week into fostering and LOVING every minute. It's passing way too quickly.

There was that worry or wonder in my own mind and the minds of my great friends that maybe this would be too much.

Was I getting in over my head? Could I handle such a sudden responsibility and time commitment in my already exhaustingly busy life? Was I fully aware of all that fostering would entail? Would I be able to get up at 6am, ready myself for a 9hr day with toddlers as well as feed a 1yr old dog and walk her for 45mins (rain, shine, or snow) and leave her in a crate all day? Did I want to take the time to train her to be out of her crate and not want to murder my door or door frame for keeping her from her favorite Foster Mom? Was it do-able to go home immediately after work and walk her again for 45 minutes, feed her dinner, play with her in my room, and THEN get around to feeding myself and attacking the long list of things I need to get done? How would she feel about her new surrounding? Did I have what it took to help her adjust to them? Was I willing to be responsible for any damage she may cause in the process? Could I provide constant patience and abounding love while doing all of the above?

YES, YES, and YES! I was well aware. I had considered of all of this. And YES, I am truly enjoying every single part and have never felt so fulfilled. Doing service is always rewarding, but I know for a fact that this service would not have been done by anyone else and that makes it all the more meaningful to both of us.

Surprisingly it hasn't felt like a big adjustment to me at all. It felt very natural, like she's been scheduled to spend this time with me all along. We mesh, we jive, we click. I love the walks, the snuggles, the licks, and the love. She made herself at home without hesitation and is an AMAZING dog.

We needed each other in different ways for different reasons. She saved me as much as I saved her. I'll be so sad to see her go, but happy to know I've helped her find the family she's supposed to spend her 2nd Lease on Life with.

Here are a few of my favorite things about Mia:

1. She refuses to chew on bones, play with toys, or eat treats in her crate. It is her personal protest. As soon as I let her out she jumps up on my bed, circles it, jumps off, goes into the crate, selects what she wants and brings it back up onto the bed to chew or play with.

2. She loves to play fetch in our extremely long hallway. I gave her a raccoon stuffed animal (given to me by my BFF Karley for my 24th Birthday as an inside joke) and she LOVES it. She carries it around with her, snuggles it, and chases it down the hallway daily. Sometimes she'll stop in the middle of the hallway and roll around with it or shake her head back and forth with it so fast and hard that I'm certain if she hits the wall she'll get a concussion.

3. She's VERY attached to me. I can't pee without her waiting outside the bathroom door for me. If I shower for too long, she starts to whimper/whine. She is most like a toddler and shelter dog in this way. Even if I leave to take out the trash and she's hanging out with Sara & Katie she will sit by the front door and whine until I return. This also means that when I leave for work every morning she barks/whines inside her crate in my room for 5-30 mins. Thankfully, my roommates suffer through this because they are loving and supporting and know it's part of her adjusting.

4. She isn't a leash puller which is rare for her breed. Yesterday we walked in Central Park and I made the mistake of starting down a stairway without noticing it was completely covered in thick, dangerous ice. She could have easily pulled me down 10 stairs and broken me into pieces, but instead she instinctively knew it wasn't safe and would take a step down, turn and watch me get down, then proceed. Slowly, surely, one step at a time, even balancing both of us at times, she got me safely down the stairs and on our way.

5. She doesn't bark at people or dogs or cars or loud noises but instead loves all of them. She doesn't chew on anything that isn't dog related, which I still find unbelievable. She is calm by nature but loves to have a good time--like me! She's big on snuggles, including sitting on my lap if I'm sitting on the floor. Not laying in my lap but sitting with her butt and hind legs in my lap, like a child. It's hilarious. She only has to be told "No" once or called by name once and she will come.

She is truly exceptional and I'm not being biased (although I do think she's better than any other dog I've ever known, much like mothers and their kids). Neighbors, friends, and even strangers on the street stop me to ask about her or compliment her. Too often I have to remind myself that the low mutters of "Wow, she's beautiful!" as I walk down the street are not directed at me, but at the dog I'm walking with. :)

I love her and she loves me right back. If only the rest of life were that easy. :)