Lost and Found (part 2)

A few months ago, I wrote an article about the two stray pups in my workplace that I was planning to adopt (Here is the link: https://shopping-feedback.today/petlife/lost-and-found-part-1%29%3C/em%3E. Unfortunately, they disappeared which was heartbreaking.

For weeks, I looked for the pups and even asked around about them, but no one knew where they’d gone. Even the security guards and students who had grown fond of them could tell me nothing. I started to imagine the worst that could’ve happened to them.

My after-school hours were never the same without Milo and Hershey waiting by my office door or in my classroom. It all became too quiet and too depressing. For context, I was often the last faculty member left because of my late class schedules. Then I had to wait for my husband to pick me up.

But, believe it or not, miracles do happen at Christmas.

In the afternoon of December 26, I went by my office to pick up a few things. As I locked my office door, I was surprised by the scene that greeted me outside. Lo and behold! Waiting by the car was a scrawny little creature; its hairless tail wagged enthusiastically as I approached. Milo was back! She always knew the sound of our car, and it seemed she had been expecting me. I guess she always knew I’d come for her.

My heart ached as I looked at her. She had gotten skinnier since I last saw her. Wounds now covered almost her entire body that she had gone bald all over. Her eyes seemed too big for her tiny and skinny face. I could only imagine the pain she was in. Despite that, her eyes were filled with joy as she jumped at me.

I gently patted her head with the promise of returning for her. Finally, that promise was kept.

The following day, December 27, with a little resistance from the leash, Milo was finally home.

It took a while for her to adjust to our house. The corner near the door of the laundry room was where she snuggled for the first few days. Then slowly, she started to eat more, play more, and explore our garden. She even befriended the older dogs. My heart swelled with happiness as I thanked the universe for bringing her back to me.

Yet, there was still the pain and worry I felt for Hershey. The year 2023 ended and I never got any news of the other pup. Until almost a week has passed.

It was January 9 when one of my colleagues sent me a message that said, “The doggie is back” with the picture of a tiny, half hair, half skin puppy walking around the campus. I cried as I replied asking for a favor to keep the dog safe for the night as I’ll pick her up the next day.

That’s just what I did.

By January 10, Milo and Hershey were reunited at last. When Milo immediately sensed Hershey’s presence, she was wagging wildly and bumped Hershey’s nose. It was a delight watching them greet each other. Together, their adjustment and healing progressed faster. Perhaps, having someone familiar helped.

With a month’s medication from the vet, good food, warm bath, and lots of love, the once scrawny, famished, stray pups turned out to become the sweetest, healthiest, most spoiled doggies at home. They remain inseparable until today, despite the occasional growling and play bites as they compete for my attention. And they’re almost inseparable from me, too. They would follow me around the house, sleep near my feet, wake me up if they needed to go out. Sometimes, they would even follow me to the bathroom.

Until today, I don’t know where they went or how they disappeared, but they were brought back to me. They remain as my miracle fur babies—always loving and full of mischief. Somehow the universe knew we belonged together.

Every day, as I watch them play and give me goofy smiles, I am reminded that miracles are real. Milo and Hershey are one of my greatest miracles.