Something Special

Do you remember the first time you saw your best friend’s face? It’s possible that the first time you saw her, she was looking back at you from behind bars. That’s what happened to me, the day I walked into a local animal shelter and encountered a tiny bundle of energy that charged into my heart and changed my life. Our story is one that is repeated countless times, whether one’s puppy came from a breeder or from a rescue; the plan is for a happy ending with our chosen puppy becoming a part of the family.

But sometimes, the plan changes, especially when four-footed family members are involved. Dogs are much like people in that they have distinct personalities and preferences. Dogs, like people, don’t always like change, and a new puppy in the house often is too much of a change. This can lead to heartache, and sometimes, despite best efforts, a tough decision must be made. This is a heart-wrenching experience, one I well-understand, having been through it.

Even before Norman was adopted, I knew there was something special about him. One of 12 German Shepherd puppies dumped in two totes outside a West Virginia shelter, he had a thoughtful way of looking at the noisy world around him. And although he loved playing with his littermates, he was ultimately more interested in people. His adopters were excited about bringing him home to meet their older dog. Ultimately, though, she was not as happy about the youngster as he was about her. His adopters tried every measure they could to help the two dogs adjust to each other.

Do you remember the first sacrifice you made for love? Do you remember the pain of making a choice for the greater good? Ultimately, making that choice leads to a realization that you’ve done the right thing, but it takes time to believe it. It might help the process to know that good will come of your decision.

There is something special about Norman, something which impelled me to do something I’d never done before: become a foster. The Norman Project is all about ensuring that Norman gets the training his first family started, but also about discovering where Norman’s specialness might lead him.