Paw prints on my heart

There's this really cheesy poem that makes it's rounds on social media called "Paw Prints On My Heart."


It goes something like this...

Because of God's grace
One day we'll embrace
And never again be apart
But until then
Know this my sweet friend
You've left paw prints on my heart.

It's normally used in the context to grieve and pay tribute to a pet that has passed. The further I dive into animal wellfare the more I find that it refers, at least for me, to so many more animals than just those who cross the rainbow bridge.

I am not trying to say that I feel like any of my fosters or animals I help adopt out are dead. They all find beautiful loving homes. And for that,  I am truely grateful.

However, every now and then I'll meet a dog that has a certain "something" about them and it's just a little bit harder to let them go. I guess, statistically, it's bound to happen.

Most animals I care for wouldn't fit seamlessly into my life or household. Sometimes they get along with my dogs, sometimes they don't,  sometimes they can handle my weird work schedule, sometimes they can't...

That's the thing though, more often than not a pet wouldn't work as a permanent member. They are more than welcome to stay as long as they need. I don't love them any less. I don't care for them any different.

Their place in my home is a temporary state where they are welcome to decompress and heal. Once that happens the perfect home always comes along allowing me to move on to the next one.

I know this may seem crazy but I feel like all the animals know this. It's like an understanding that we all have with one another as soon as they come through the door.

"No, this isn't the perfect place for you. But you're welcome to stay as long as you need. There's food,  there's water, there's lots of toys, and LOTS of love. I think it's better than what you knew before but trust me the future is even brighter."


I'm bound to meet a dog that DOES fit though. And when that happens,  what do you do? 

I know sometimes I can be a little sappy (okay, a lot of times) and I don't expect people to understand why I would "give away" a perfectly happy, healthy, pet that DOES fit seamlessly into my home.

And I most certainly do not want people to think that I am a martyr when I do get extra sappy over sed "perfect pets."

I made a choice to help homeless pets and when the time is right to finally keep the right one the universe and the gods and the stars will all line up and send me morse code or...something. 

And I'll know.

But until then. I'll offer a temporary place for dogs to decompress, to heal, and to transition into their perfect permanent place and I'll always cry for the ones that seem to fit too well. Their paw prints will be forever on my heart.

Just know that it always seems to work itself out at the perfect moment and always with the perfect dog in the perfect home.

It's all just PERFECT.

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