August, we got the call! Well...the e-mail, really. It wasn't quite as spectacular as it sounds, but it was THE e-mail. "Hey Cindy...we have a litter of puppies that we are going to need a home for. Possibly two weeks. Can you do it? How many do you think you can handle?"
Yes! Yes! YES!!! We were so excited. OF COURSE we can take puppies! I don't know how many...probably no more than 10. What do you think?
Crazy Cindy! We would never give you 10 at once...how about 5?
Oh yes. 5. 5 we can do! That's one puppy for each kid! We can do that, right? Let me know when to come and get them.
So we waited. And waited. And waited. "We cannot get hold of the current foster mom. Will let you know as soon as we do."
So I worked that week. And I pulled up to a mail box. And I saw a puppy crest over the hill. And I smiled. And I saw another puppy crest over the side, running towards my Jeep. And my heart dropped. These weren't just happy, playful puppies running around their yard. These guys were rough, they had bruises, they were hungry and they were alone.
Let me preface this by saying that I have worked for the P.O for three and a half years by this point and I have ALWAYS kept an eye out for animals. I'd talked to the local rescues, I'd been told where the "drop off" points were (and this disgust me that we even live in a world that this phrase exists!!!) and I always kept an open eye and ears. I have animal food in all of my vehicles (personal and work) just in case we find strays. I had told my husband from day 1 - IF I find a stray or abandoned animal on the side of the road, it will be coming home with me. THAT is who I am, that is what I do. My kids know it, my husband knows it. That is me. That is who my parents raised me to be and for that, I am grateful. So I was prepared, yes, I was, mentally, but my heart? My heart was not prepared.
So I pull over and I grab these puppies and I put them on my lap and I drive to the nearest house. Still in my mind, not wanting to believe that someone would want to leave these sweet puppies in this so conveniently vacant little strip of road. I find a man who swears he has never seen them here before (but *wink* I saw some just like that on X road, but please don't tell anyone that I told you), that it looks like one has buck shot (later turned out was probably just bite wounds from fighting for it's food) and if they can't keep their animals safe, they shouldn't have them. Okay sir, well, I'm taking them, if anyone is looking for them, you know where to find me. *snuggles and stuck in a non-puppy approved usps container until I could take a break and bring them home*
I called home and my husband, bless him, only replied "Okay" when I said "Hon, you know how I said if I ever found puppies on the side of the road, I was bringing them home? Well, today is the day." Still freaking a little that I was doing something wrong (and how could doing the right thing, saving these pups, be wrong?!), I kept peering out the windows and worrying, but no one was looking for these puppies. No one cared. They had thrown them out on the side of the road and in their minds, they were no longer their problem. They were disposable.
I pulled in to my yard to my daughter's at the door saying "Mommy is home! Mommy is home!" and I called "Did daddy tell you why I am here? I'm not done for the day." and before I could get the fence opened completely, I was greeted by the astounding shrill of "PUPPIES!!! PUPPIES!!! DADDY MOMMY BROUGHT HOME PUPPPPPIES!!!!!!!!!"
My husband...well...he isn't exactly an animal person, but he knows who he married and he tolerates my soft heart. He just kind of gave me "the look" (I'm so familiar with this look that I can capture it in my mind, but it's pretty hard to explain, sort of an exasperated "Again? What will we do with THESE?" kind of rolly eyes look.) and I gave him the *shrug* "You know I just couldn't leave them there." look and quickly followed up with the girls, telling them what needed to be done, we were just taking care of them for a little bit, they aren't ours, don't get attached, just love them while we have them speech.
On auto pilot at that point because I did not want to stress too much about what was going on, but I knew at that point I left them in the best hands that I could. My children have been around animals since they were born. They know what needs to be done and they give the best hugs and love. :-) Only my girls (9 and 6) were home at that point as the boys were at Grandpa's. I heard later that they were pretty happy when they got home as well.
I took a break later on my route and called the owner of a local rescue that I have talked to in the past to offer myself as a foster. Thank goodness, she listened to my stressed rambling and was very sweet to offer to help. She met up with me later that evening to check them out, worm them and get them vaccinated. We still don't know what these pups were. Lab and something else...anyone's guess, really. That day began the game of "Whose your daddy?!" that we tend to play with any of our fosters.
So Chance and Molly are what they became...
Ultimately, we had Chance and Molly for three weeks. The fantastic rescue in Asheville, NC that I was on the foster list said "Sure, bring them up, we will give them their final vaccinations and get them adopted out!" Honestly, I feel like everything just came in to alignment just so for these pups. I was at the right place at the right time, I knew the right people with huge hearts that were willing to help and I had the right contacts. These pups just KNEW who they were running out in front of that day and it worked out just. right! because of the fantastic people in my life that were willing to step up and help!
And then....there were 7...continued in next post...
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