The manager of the shelter smiled empathetically at me when I arrived, weary and covered in puppy poop. After listening to my story, she remarked, “We’d love to help, but we’re completely full.” We are overburdened due to the recent spate of rescues.
My heart fell once more. “Is there anything you would recommend?”
She paused before responding. “Well, down the road there’s a woman named Ruth. She manages a network of foster homes for stray animals. She could possibly take kids in, or at least help you find the proper person.
I thanked the manager and went to Ruth’s address because she sounded like my best shot. My GPS sent me to a little farmhouse encircled by fenced-in fields and undulating hills. A grizzled old border collie sat on the porch steps, as chickens ran free in the yard.
Ruth herself, grinning kindly and dressed in overalls, answered the door. Her hands were rough from years of labor, and her silver hair was pulled back in a loose bun. Her face softened even more when I told her why I was there.
She gestured for me to come into the kitchen. “We should see those infants.”
Ruth listened carefully as I told her everything, from how I found the puppies in the parking lot of the gas station to how packed the shelter was, over coffee and baked oatmeal cookies. Occasionally, she would reach out to stroke behind the ears of the dog that occurred to crawl onto her lap while nodding knowingly.
At last, she remarked, “You’re lucky to have found these poor things.” However, nurturing requires a certain form of endurance. Would you be open to trying it?
I blinked. “Me? Encourage them?
“Why not?” she shot back. You have already taken them this far. Furthermore, it will only last till we locate long-term housing.
short-term. I hesitated at the word. Was I capable of taking care of eight puppies, even for a brief period of time? However, after everything they had endured, how could I refuse?
“All right,” I answered softly. “But I have no experience with dog ownership.”
Ruth smiled. “Don’t be concerned. I’ll impart all the knowledge you require.
The weeks that followed were hectic, demanding, and completely fulfilling. I learnt how to bathe the puppies, feed them, and teach them not to gnaw on furniture legs under Ruth’s tutelage. Their transformation from emaciated, frightened strays into lively, loving bundles of pleasure happened gradually.
Ruth assisted me in finding each of them a loving family one by one. My heart ached to watch them leave, but it was easier to know they were content and safe. Everybody but the tenacious tiny gray puppy with mismatched eyes. Regardless of the number of people that showed interest, something always felt… strange. As if he hadn’t been prepared to go yet.
Ruth finally proposed to keep him for myself. She winked and remarked, “The universe has a way of matching people with exactly what they need sometimes.”
