Drawn to the Shelter

Since Ducky joined her sisters and brothers at the Rainbow Bridge, I have said I wouldn’t be getting another shelter dog anytime in the near future. Mainly because it wouldn’t be fair to that dog to have to deal with hubby’s dementia episodes on top of the challenges of just settling into a new life. That has not changed. I’m not sure I’ll ever be emotionally ready to adopt another shelter animal. So, you might be asking yourself, what is she leading up to?

Well, for most of the last two weeks, I was feeling drawn to the shelter in search of a dog that looked like Ducky. I resisted every urge to drive over there in fear I would find one and want to bring her home against my own better judgment. I could not understand why I was feeling so drawn to the shelter when I knew it wasn’t time yet.

Well, on Sunday afternoon I went on the shelter’s website – again drawn to finding a Ducky lookalike. And, I actually found one….

I won’t share her photograph here because I don’t own the rights to it (the shelter does). And it wouldn’t be right. I won’t divulge the name the shelter gave her, either, even though it’s cute. Let’s just call her “Sissy”, as in Ducky’s little sister.

She is approximately 2-1/2 years old. She could not look any more like Ducky at the same age if they were identical twins! The ears, and the eyes!! My doG, she is adorable! And she even weighs about the same as Ducky did at that age! I wanted to run over to the shelter and play with her right then and there. Luckily, the shelter is closed to the public on Sundays. 😌 I fell in love with her image. Just as I had fallen in love with Ducky nearly ten years ago.

All Sunday afternoon and evening, and then Monday morning, I kept going back to the picture of little Sissy. And talking to my sweet Ducky. I decided to call the shelter to see if she had been adopted yet. If not, I was going to bring Ducky’s two smaller beds to the shelter and ask that they be given specifically to Sissy.

When I called, I was told by a very nice lady that Sissy had been adopted. A wave of relief flowed over me. But I also felt hugely happy for her. Happy that she had found her forever family very quickly. (Poor Ducky spent most of her first 7 months of life at the shelter before we adopted her.) I hope – and have to trust – that they will love Sissy with their whole hearts and give her all she needs for the rest of her life. After I hung up with the shelter lady, I told hubby “we’re going to take Ducky’s two smaller beds to the shelter and put them in the donations bucket, in honor of Ducky’s life with us.” So, we stopped at the Atlanta Bread shop for a late lunch and then took the beds to the shelter.

Once the beds were in the donations “bucket” and we were back in the car, I felt happy. Happy that Sissy had been adopted; and happy because I knew Ducky was proud of me. I could literally feel her smiling at me with that special smile she always reserved for me. It was a huge healing moment for me.

There will still be tearful times when I need to feel Ducky’s fur on my face or her body leaning into mine; but I know she’s always in my heart. I can look at her sweet face in the countless photos on my phone or in picture frames. And in the photo pendant I wear around my neck every day.

Photo pendant that I bought from an Etsy seller.

20 thoughts on “Drawn to the Shelter”

  6. Tails Around the Ranch says:

    Aww…bless you! Through your pain, you provide hope and help for others. I went through several years of that when my black male Standard Poodle passed away. I would find dogs but just couldn’t pull the trigger and when I tried, they had been adopted. Had it not been for a colleague, I’d have never found Sam. It only took 7 years but I’ll always be grateful she talked me into adopting him. Your day will come, till then, savor those happy memories of your precious Ducky girl. ❤️‍🩹

    Liked by 1 person

    • My Golden Life says:

      I’m glad your colleague talked you into adopting Sam, too! He gave you so much forever love and provided hope and healing for so many others through his therapy assistance adventures with you! And Sam made it possible for us to meet, albeit virtually, and become friends. Sam will always have a special place in my heart, too. ❤️🐾

      My “little venture” to the shelter has really helped my healing process. I feel more like my precious girl is truly right here with me, wherever I might be at any given moment. And that feeling is comforting when I am most needing her.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Brian says:

    I’m so glad that sweetie found her forever home. Yes, it sure takes time but when Ducky finds just the right pup you’ll know it, no doubt about it. Hugs from us.

    Liked by 2 people

  10. easyweimaraner says:

    we are so happy… although we wished from the first line we read, that sissy maybe can become your sissy… but that she founds a family who loves her is a good thing… and we hope there is the one who comes to you and who can help to heal your broken heart….

    Liked by 2 people

  11. Meezer'sMews&TerrieristicalWoofs says:

    Oh, this is such a sweet post!

    I too sometimes feel kitten fever, since its been about 18 months since Pipo left us,..but a new cat or kitten would not likely do well here due to our rambunctious pups, though they were very scared and respectful of Pipo.

    So sometimes I donate things doggy and kitty to the shelters where I got my current fur babies from.

    I love how you made a pendant with the picture I sent you…how original, and what a great idea!

    Hugs and doggy licks, too!

    Liked by 2 people

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