Absolute Fulfillment…

***Please sing the following line to the tune of “It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to.”
 

“It’s my list and it can change if I want to….”
 

Got that stuck in your head now?  Good.  And it’s true.  It’s my list so I can do whatever I damn well please.  So I’m changing it… just a little.
 

Originally, I wanted to take Brody to an agility class.  Well, I’d still like to BUT I’m just not sure he’s up for it with his knee and there seems to be a lot more steps to taking him to agility than I once thought (apparently a couple of obedience classes stand between us and the doggie seesaw).
 

Plus, I’ve decided that this list has really been eye-opening in a way that makes me realize that there are things that I should have put on my list but didn’t even think of in my hastiness to finish it before my 29th birthday.
 

So… remember when I said that getting back into rescue should be on my list?  Well, now it is.  I have come to realize that this is probably the most prominent thing that I’ve done in my 30th year (because that’s what this is, right?  my first year being the 0-12 months thing?).  Anyways, I have learned new things about myself, my husband, our relationship together and my amazing dogs and I would be remiss if I didn’t count it towards my 30 Things.
 

Honestly, most (ok, all) of the things on my list were about me.  I’m kind of self-centered like that.  They were all things that I wanted to accomplish for me.  But I’ve realized that although they are all great things, and they are experiences that I can say, “Yeah, I accomplished that before I turned 30,” none of them were really making a difference in this world.  And I like to make a difference.
 

Although I always demand joke around about receiving comments on posts, that’s SO not the case when it comes to pulling and fostering a dog.  Sure, the sweet things people say are always welcome and give me some encouragement when I’m feeling a little stressed, but it’s really ALL about the dogs when it comes to fostering and volunteering with the rescue.  I’m doing it 110% for them – sleeping in my spare bedroom for the first few days, putting up with accidents in the house (on my brand new rug), the extra expense of a 3rd dog that’s not really mine and nursing a pup who’s broken – in more ways than one – back to health and then setting them free but it is absolutely, hands down, the most rewarding thing I can do.  And on top of all of that?  Fostering has actually given me a new glimpse into my own boys’ “doganity” (you know, humanity of the canine variety), and I’ve fallen in love with my beasts all over again.  The way they share their beds, their toys, and most importantly, their mama, has been such an amazing thing to see.  I swear they realize that someone had done this for them before (in Brody’s case, it was me), and that it’s their way of paying it forward.  And there’s nothing better than that.  Oh wait… yes there is!  My husband is awesome too.  I love John with all my heart and I’ve loved him for over 12 years (whaaaa?) but my heart melts into a puddle of goo every time I see him with our latest foster.  He’s so gentle and so giving and he makes me realize, over and over again, why I married him in the first place.  I’m truly the luckiest.
 

So, although Brody and I won’t be running through obstacle courses together, I’ve been a better dog owner because of our (that’s a collective “our”) rescue involvement… and that’s what #11 was all about.
 

Besides, with an extra pup in our moderately sized house, it’s kind of like an obstacle course anyway.
 

For the record, if you’re ever questioning whether or not you should rescue and/or foster a dog, read some of these blogs and articles…
 

Lucky Dog Rescue Blog – she’s young, she’s gorgeous, she’s got a heart of gold and she’s not afraid of pitties.  She’s totally my kind of girl.
 

http://www.luckydogrescueblog.blogspot.com/
 

Love and a Six-Foot Leash – another great blog that keeps me motivated.
 

http://loveandaleash.wordpress.com/
 

How Could You? – a Facebook note from an unwanted dog’s perspective.
 

https://www.facebook.com/notes/woc-ykars/how-could-you/133833110042390
 

Doctor Death, Shocking Killing of Shelter Pets Part 2 – please, have some tissues ready.
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bpDE6Vx_QU
 

I rescue because although a lot of dedicated, giving people do… there still aren’t enough that are willing to bring an unknown dog, with who-knows-what kind of issues into their home and love them like they are their own.  But the more people I can convince to adopt instead of buy, the bigger difference I can make in this world.  And that’s true whether I’m 30, 60 or 90… because you know, if I’m still alive in 60 years, I’ll still be advocating rescuing.  Because it’s part of me.  It’s who I am.  And it’s one of my favorite things.
 

And seriously… how can you resist a face like this????
 

I looked at all the caged animals in the shelter…the cast-offs of human society.  I saw in their eyes love and hope, fear and dread, sadness, and betrayal. And I was angry.  “God,” I said, “this is terrible! Why don’t you do something?”  God was silent for a moment, and then He spoke softly, “I have done something,” he replied. “I created you.”  — Author Unknown

 

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