THREE YEARS AGO--DOGWOOD GOT ITS FIRST FOSTER CHILD

Sweet Sadie--abandoned at Animla Control--scared-lost-heartbroke.

Sadie after being at Dogwood for ten minutes. I'll carry the warmth of that smile to my grave.

 

This is the story I wrote in 2009 celebrating the adoption of our FIRST FOSTER CHILD at Dogwood. SADIE was a five year old border collie that had been surrendered by her family to Animal Control. She was FULLY TRAINED, house broken, and one of the most docile sweet dogs I have ever known. She opened the door for quite a few more who followed.  I CELEBRATE LIFE with this story, and remember a sweet, sweet spirit that I was able to save.

 

On October first, Better Half and I received our first Humane Society foster dog, Sadie. Since then, she has been living at Dogwood with the rest of my heathens: Lucy, Charlie, Hines, and Pearl the cat.

            Sadie was rescued because the Lord spoke to my heart. That's the only way I know to explain it. She had a purpose that had yet to be fulfilled, and it wasn't time for her to leave this Earth until she had done so.

 Trust me. I didn't understand why I was doing it either. But I had faith and believed that everything would work out.

            I had no problem introducing her into my pack. The only wrinkle was the fact that she was way too curious about the cat and got knocked around quite a few times when Pearl had finally had enough. There was no aggression involved but it was evident that cats would be a "no-no" for her forever home. 

            While Sadie has been with us, I've had to remind myself that she was living with us temporarily, and that the day would arrive that she would leave us. But as the weeks have sifted by, my reminders began to slip. Better Half and I decided that if Sadie was still with us at Christmas, we would keep her.

            But something wasn't right. Yes, I had fallen in love with her, and she had become attached to me. But the happiness I had felt with the adoptions of my other kids just wasn't there. I felt I was doing something wrong.

            I prayed about the conflict I felt, and was answered. Somewhere out there, the person who needed Sadie more than I did was still waiting.  If I adopted Sadie, her purpose would go unfulfilled. I was being selfish and sticking my fingers into God's plan for her.

 So I asked God to help me not interfere and to not be selfish, as I would soon be overcome by my attachment to her.

            The morning after that prayer, I received an email from the Humane Society about a fantastic adoption application for Sadie. The applicant family had lost their fifteen year old pet in July, and felt they were ready to have a new dog. There was a void that needed to be filled in their household. I knew in my heart that, as always, the Lord had delivered, and that this was the place for Sadie   

            It all snowballed very quickly. Before I knew it, it was time to say goodbye.

It's not an easy thing to give something you love away.  But God would not desert me, and would make sure that Sadie's life would always be happy.

              Sadie is now blessing a wonderful household with her gentle love and peaceful demeanor.  It's been a bumpy ride for her: Loved once, abandoned, saved from death, and finally delivered to be cherished as she deserves. Her journey is a reminder     that God's ways are so wondrous and merciful, and that he cares for all things he created.

            Life at Dogwood is back to normal, or as normal as it gets there. The saga of the first foster dog is over. Will I foster again?? That will depend on what the Lord lays on my heart next.  He'll tell me when, and lead me through whatever comes.

But I will always remember Sadie, the first foster of Dogwood... and smile.

            You made it, little girl. I love you.