Unwavering love

It began with a little message popping up on Facebook one October afternoon. I had never fostered a dog before, and admittedly I wasn't certain it was the right decision for me to make. I already had a dog who my entire world revolved around. Against my mother's wishes , I brought Ted home just months after graduating from college. He quickly became my everything and my first "real" resposbility. Dog training classes and vet bills up until that point weren't even on my radar.

I scrolled down to see two photos of a small white dog. He had one sparkling pale blue eye, and on the left a very David Bowie-esque heterochromia. Despite looking underweight and a little raggedy it was hard to believe this dog wasn't being sold for thousands by a breeder somewhere. What twist of fate had brought him to a middle Tennesse rescue? With a face like that surely he would be adopted in no time. My biggest obstacle, I naively thought, would be resisting the urge to keep him. "OK" I replied "I'll do it".

Just a few days later he arrived at my door. Without hesitation Stetson ran to me. His coat was missing patches of fur, his white face donned brownish tear-stains and his behind crusted over with hardened feces. I listened to his story or what they knew of it. He was originally found on the side of the road. a double merle (Two Merle dogs should never be bred. This causes potential major genetic issues such as blindness, deafness and more) He was likely discarded by a breeder. He was then adopted by a family who ultimately surrendered him back to the rescue, claiming for personal reasons they could no longer provide care. Stetson was left in a vacant home with wall to wall puppy pads. The couple was going through a divorce and it can be assumed that the man was abusive, at least to the dog. He would flinch and whimper or hide whenever a man was around him. He did his best to avoid phsycial contact with everyone. How could this be the same dog who ran into my arms so warmly without hesitation?

My memory of our first full day together is one I will never forget. How I gently placed him in the bath tub, that sweet but somber face looking up at me every step of the way. I removed his tight collar, and began to examine his paws so red and raw, with overgrown nails. As I ran warm water over his back, his patchy coat slicked down to reveal his frail body, even tinier than he looked. I got to work on cleaning him up as he stood perfectly still. Perhaps it was a bit of a deer in headlights moment for him, but as I wrapped him up in a large towel and held him I felt a mutual trust. He licked my hand repeatedly as if to say "Thank you". That night after he ate and drank to his heart's content, he slept upside on his back with all fours in the air. He knew he was safe and I knew in that exact moment I never wanted him to feel anything otherwise.

Two years later it's safe to say I failed at fostering. Stetson is only estimated to be about 4/5 years old now. He has already had a full hip replacement and other major health concerns. I have worked tirelessly, with the assistance of professionals to help his reactive behavioral issues. I am happy to report that he is no longer afraid of men, and he is even warming up to the UPS driver. Rescued animals recquire work, but the reward, for me at least far surpasses the time and money I've invested. It is all worth it to see his grattitude. Watching him defy the odds and become the best version of himself and thrive in a home where he is loved and appreciated. He has taught me so much about myself. Because of Stetson I have more patience, I have even more empathy, and I have learned that many things in life need to be nourished to flourish, including ourselves. Oh, and that skimpy little coat by the way, turned out to be what they call in the Pomeranian world a "triple coat".

I think back to that very first day together often. A memory of the special bond we share taking shape. It's not the memories of bringing him on a roadtrip home for the Holidays, It's not his first "real walk" after over-coming his fear of leashes, it's not even his first time he offered up his paw in exchange for a french fry after lots of practice. I have so many wonderful memories that I will cherish forever, however, it is the memory of the first day that has helped us overcome our most trying days. There have been times where I've fallen to my knees and cried with frustration, ironically he is the first one there to comfort me. He came into my life for a reason and I am beyond content that I made the decision to take on another responsbility. Stetson is also a wonderful reminder to us all, have faith that there is plenty of good waiting for us on the other side of our most difficult hardships.