Almost Home: A New Start for a New Year

It was late in the evening when we got the call . . . two dogs on a chain outside an abandoned house. Could we take them? I called back and, honestly, was thinking they'd have to be evaluated first; shelter staff would have to discuss if there really was room, etc. But when I heard their story and discussed it with other shelter volunteers, there was no doubt these dogs needed to be unchained . . . immediately.

You see, these dogs, a Shepherd/Husky Mix and her Boxer mix puppy had lived at the end of their chains for 9 and 4 years, respectively.

A huge storm was brewing outside. The kind of Spring Missouri Storm that brings threat of tornado. The dogs' caretaker cautioned that, with all the rain, the dogs' area would be so muddy we'd be unable to access it for another week. Somehow, one more week for those dogs seemed too much. I picked up another volunteer and we headed to the abandoned house.

It was, undoubtedly, a dramatic rescue. In the dark, rain, thunder and lightening, we met our new dogs, freed them from their chains and loaded them in the car. By midnight, we were at our shelter . . . all four of us, dogs and people, soaked to the bone and unsure what the future would bring for these poor babies, but sure it had to be better than the lives they lived before.

Tai and Tater lived at our shelter for over a year. During that year, Tai was diagnosed with cancer. Everyone who knew Tai and Tater loved them. These two big dogs, with such a sad story, were the gentlest beings one could ever know. Their hard lives had, miraculously, not succeeded at hardening them one bit. We were faced with such a dilemma. Occasionally, someone would apply to adopt Tater and, though it was never the right match for Tater, the thought of having to break the pair up pained everyone. We couldn't imagine Tai living at the shelter without her boy. In fact, we worried she wouldn't survive the separation.

Finally, I was able to bring Tai and Tater to my house to foster. It took some rearranging of my foster animals and a little remodeling work by my handyman friend, but we constructed a place Tai and Tater could live comfortably. My thought was that it would at least give Tater a shot at a home and that Tai would do better in a home with a foster parent than at a shelter alone. We took some new photos and wrote a new bio with a plea for a home for Tai and Tater together. And waited.

Then a miracle happened. Someone wanted both Tai and Tater! Someone willing to sign up for the heartbreaking task of adopting a senior dog with a medical diagnoses and willing to work with two dogs who'd had a rough existence. After almost two years in a shelter and then a foster home, Tai and Tater were going home!

It was a special Christmas this year, as I spent my last couple days with these two beautiful creatures. It was not an easy goodbye. I was so relieved to have been spared the decision of breaking Tai and Tater apart, but my resolve that I'd probably have Tai until her time was up was hard to let go of. It's always bittersweet to say goodbye, but this one was especially hard. It was also a goodbye worth celebrating, as Tai and Tater are getting the happy ending so many of us hoped for, but didn't expect.

Perhaps it's a good sign for a wonderful, new year. For sure, it's a wonderful new year for Tai and Tater.

Be good babies, enjoy your life and know that I'll always love you!