July 2nd 2012 9:57 pm
[ Leave A Comment | 3 people already have ]
This year I have been chosen to help Judge the ADOPT 2012 contest. I am honored and flattered to be helping judge this year and can't wait to read all the inspirational adoption stories.
If you would like to tag a photo for the ADOPT 2012 contest the general tag is: mainadopt12stroll. Then just write a diary entry straight from the heart about adoption. That's the best advice I can give. See River's thread in Plus Fun and other Forums for more detailed information on how to enter and how to donate.
I am a Judge this year.. but that doesn't mean I can't write a diary entry too! ;)
My name is Kiki and it has been over two years since I have been in my forever home of love and luxury. The memories of puppy mill past are still here but fade more and more every day. Cold bars cutting into my feet, teeth rotting out of my mouth, crowded quarters and not enough food, making puppies and having them taken from me while I stay in those conditions for days and years on end are all over now.
I came to my family and could be described by only one word, scared. There was no easy cure for me, there wasn't a moment where it just "clicked" and my fear went away, no epiphany or miracle happened every single thing took time. Adopting a dog, adopting me, started with pure love and excitement. My parents in reading ADOPT entries on Dogster decided they wanted to adopt a dog to expand their family and give my sisfur Mini a friend. They saw me on petfinder and I was naturally adorable. They met me one day in their own backyard and thought I was awful skinny but overall adorable and my "shyness" would fade quickly. Well they were right about me being adorable but the "shyness" was pure unfiltered fear as a the only human memories I had were of pain and terror. My sisfur Mini helped me understand how to eat food out of a bowl, (Two years later this never stops exciting me!! Did you know the bowl gets more food in it every day!!), how to play with toys, how to run. Can you imagine, I couldn't even run!? What took time was something I could only do for myself, I had to adopt my human parents. They were so patient, so caring, they learned more about puppy mill dogs, they read about how to bring me out of my shell and just when they thought there was nothing more they could do to make me into a dog, a happy tail wagging, tongue smiling dog.. things started happening. When I was sick they took care of me, when I was cold they warmed me, when I was scared they held me and helped me do things outside my comfort zone which made the dog I am today.
My name is Kiki and it has been over two years since I have been in my forever home of love and luxury. The memories of my forever home fright fade more and more every day. After Vet scares, exhaustion, thinning patience, tears and many nights reading dogster forums what we remember are my firsts. My first time walking up stairs, first time eating food out of Momma's hand, my first doggy dress, first time sleeping under the covers, letting daddy pet me, being relaxed when being held, coming when called, first time playing with Mini, first time killing a toy, first time in a swimming pool.. ok some memories I would rather forget but what I am trying to say is when it's good, it is so good and you don't remember those tough times anymore. You only remember the now, the joy, the love that was brought into a dog heart like mine and blossomed into my parents hearts and the hearts of our family and friends. The pride my parents feel for me and my growth is a feeling that was earned and is unmatched.
Adopting gives a dog a second chance at life. A chance they deserve. Being in a puppy mill, being in a pound, being born into an accidental litter and left on the side of the road, being in an abusive home or hoarding situation are all examples of lives that dogs did not choose and do not deserve. A dog is an innocent creature and only wants love and will give it back to you along with loyalty for the rest of their lives. Can you imagine if all the people in the world only wanted love. Imagine that love alone would satisfy you, sounds impossible right? With a dog that is truly all they want, we can learn a lesson from that.When you look in the eyes of an adopted dog, this is not an romanticised statement, you truly see the gratitude in their eyes. I show my Momma and Daddy my gratitude and love everyday when I look at them.
Humans say a lot of things, some I do not understand.. ok most things I do not undertand but I completely agree with "Time heals all wounds" because I have been able to see my own personal scars healed by time. Time I was so grateful to have.
What does adoption mean to me? It means the difference between life and death.
Leave A Comment | 3 people already have Aw, Kiki, you said it all, so well. Your story isn't my story...yet. I'm still kinda new in my furevfur home. But I'm making my way along on this journey, and I know my pawrents are here to love me evfurry step of the way. Just like yours! Well said Kiki...well said. My cousin-sister Ebby was rescued when she was dumped on the side of a road and I was rescued from the pound. I was on the list to be put to sleep cause noone wanted me but a rescue group came & got me out. While I can't personally relate to these sad things, (with such happy endings), I sure know that growlmy had this huge lump and brimming face windows reading this story, Kiki!
We are evfur so glad you were rescued into the family some pups could only try to hope for.
We hope that there will be many more firsts still in your future...and a long future at that!
Thanks t6o your pawrents for doing all these things for you...love being the foremost of course.
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July 2nd 2012 at 10:51 pm