And so it goes...

Iggy was adopted on Friday evening to a local family who will give him such an amazing home and wonderful life. He'll have a kid to play with and a fantastic Mom and Dad! Nick, Tink, and I brought him over after work, the paperwork was signed, and we quietly left. I had no idea of the depth of emotions I would experience over having Iggy leave our home. In the 5 weeks we had the privilege of caring for him, he became a part of this home. His fun loving, easy going personality was magnetic and all 3 of us enjoyed our time with him immensely.

We've had beautiful weather this weekend so Nick, Tink, and I have had the pleasure of some long walks and some nice naps. We've been trying to take advantage of a somewhat quieter house.

Tink has been very restless this evening. She's wandered and wandered and nested and nested...her restlessness became so urgent while she was on my lap that no sooner had I placed her down and she was howling. You read that correctly, HOWLING on the floor here in the middle room. It was the most sad and mournful howl I have ever heard. I have never heard her make a peep when she thinks people are around, much less howl with her entire body while I'm trying to comfort her. Was she in pain? Does she miss Iggy? She didn't make any signs that she really really liked his company while he was here. We just thought that she tolerated and somewhat enjoyed him. Who knows, but in any case it was a howl for the record books.

Despite the wide range of emotions felt throughout this house, we did the right thing fostering and then adopting Iggy out to the perfect family for him. When the right foster dog becomes available with NEBTR we will undoubtedly do it all over again....and again....as needed.

Someone who obviously doesn't understand many things in life or how we operate over here told me that it was "too hard" to foster early on after we got Iggy, implying that we shouldn't do it. I thought about that statement and I realized that just because something is challenging doesn't mean that it should be avoided. Just because something is difficult doesn't mean that it doesn't produce great happiness or joy. In fact, many of the greatest gifts or joys in life come at a coast or pain of some sort (let's start with childbirth....) God never promised life would be easy or pain free. He did, however, promise life and life abundantly as we follow His way. Is fosterings difficult? Yes! Is is painful? Yes! Is it wonderful and worthwhile? More than I could have imagined. God has called our family to be a part of His amazing plan and while I don't understand many parts of it, I want to be right in the center of where He is calling us to be. So if I am sad or feeling under the weather over the next week or so, just send a little grace and patience my way. I know that God will give me the strength to work through this process and come out stronger on the other side.

And for Iggy and his new forever family--may you have the joy of family and companionship in ways that you never dreamed possible. Iggy, you will always have a piece of my heart in the beautiful puzzle of your life.