“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”
Anatole France
Hi :), meet Alice. Today she’s turning 7 and in December it’ll be 7 years since she adopted me.
I’ve always been a dog lover but while growing up my mom was not a fan of animals in the house. My pets while growing up were 2 tiny fish, one named Walla, the other one Willy. That’ll be a blog for another day… Anyways, I always wanted a dog and I decided to get one during my sophomore year of college. I was debating what dog to get and where to buy it. I had not idea adoption was an option. My sister who constantly opens up my eyes, shared the option.
I still remember the first time I saw Alice, sooo vividly. I went to an adoption place in San Antonio, but quickly changed my mind about adopting. It smelt, dogs were crying, and I couldn’t help but feel so bad for their conditions, and the life they had. How could I take one only? Right when I was about to leave, I saw Alice in the corner of a cage with her siblings. They were all playing around, except her. She was just sitting, looking up, in her little corner. I felt an immediate connection to her, love at first sight does exist! haha. I asked a staff member to let me see her, and I could feel she was meant to be with me! Yet when it came down to moving forward I decided not to adopt her. The adoption counselor asked me questions, ran me through some scenarios, and I felt inadequate. I felt I wouldn’t be able to take care of her properly.
I went back to my mom’s that same day, and she asked me about the adoption. I explained to her it was a huge responsibility and I didn’t feel competent enough. My mother, one of my biggest supporters and encouragers, then said “You start galloping like a horse and finish like a donkey” lol. I was defensive at first, so I said what I tend to tell her the MOST “you just don’t understand…” Indeed she did. I ended up going back to the adoption center the very next day, and there she was…my angel baby. My love, my heart, my honey, my companion, my friend, my troublemaker! #extra but for love (nerdy wink).
I wasn’t sure what to name her. My sister suggested Alice, since she knew my favorite movie as a kid was “Alice in Wonderland”. Everything with Alice ended up rolling the way it was suppose to. You can believe or not the following, but if you don’t, it’s just because you have not experienced it. The bond Alice and I formed was almost immediate. When I look at her or she looks at me, I feel we understand each other. I guess communication takes time and patience. Love grows day by day, and through all these times with her, my appreciation and love for animals has only continued to grow. Animals are pure.
P.S. Adopt. Don’t shop! Buying a dog from a breeder is equivalent to supporting prostitution without consent.
Today's Thoughts 