Puppy Love

Sometimes expectations and circumstances change, that’s life – right? It may be normal, standard, and even expected but it doesn’t make it easy. Our family just finished our first foster experience, and boy was it a roller coaster of emotion.

We found an adorable, old soul of a puppy online and intended on fostering-to-adopt him. What we learned over the couple days leading up to his arrival from down south is that he bonded with another foster puppy. Our expectations modified to foster both puppies. We intended to adopt one and find a great home for the second puppy. Ideally, we’ll all stay in contact and the puppies can have regular play dates. What we didn’t anticipate was falling in love with both puppies. Adorable, sweet, playful- all around great puppies. We had big plans to play frisbee golf, go swimming, camping, hiking, you name it we planned it.

Oh, did I forget to mention we have three adult dogs already? Throw in our two young kids and two cats, what about them? Can we bring everyone camping? Well, maybe! However, it’s not fair to them. Also, our oldest dog is a cranky old man. The situation is doable, not sustainable, and it’s not in everyone’s best interest. So, let’s go back to our expectation table. Let’s adopt our original puppy and adopt out the second puppy. Could you imagine splitting up family?! Yeah, we couldn’t either. New plan- if we can find a home for both together that is ideal. If we can’t then we’ll keep one and make sure the puppies see each other as often as they can.

Can you guess what happened? Luck. The adoption group found an amazing home for the two puppies together. A new family, new kids to love these puppies unconditionally. New space to run, play, and explore. New smells, adventures, a new life.

In the end, it’s heartbreaking to say goodbye to these two beautiful souls that were part of our family for ten days. Through the frequent potty breaks outside, snuggles, potty breaks inside, whines, kisses, and messes, these puppies will be missed. They are loved, cared for, and spoiled- by the fosters they started with to the new family that adopted them. They’re lives are just beginning, and it’s nice knowing we were a small part of it- tears and all. Until next time- bye puppies!