The Game of Fate

I believe in wishing on a falling star, heaven, dreams, and karma. What some call coincidence, destiny and kismet I really believe is fate when lives "accidentally" collide and change forever. I think this is what has happened to me so many times in my life. Over the last several months I've been trying to move in the direction of not being involved in the Golden Retriever Rescue. I've spent 10 years volunteering with them, and 4 of those years were as its president. But my life is changing, the rescue is changing, and I really feel that it's time for me to make my exit. Its truly been a life changing experience for us. I tell everyone that "rescue has broken my heart and touched my soul." Of course we will always support the effort of rescue. I would never turn my back on a dog (or any other animal) that needed help or needed someone.

Having said that, it of course goes without saying that I feel a responsibility to find homes for our two foster boys, Maguire, and Hamlet. Some of you may recall Hamlet's story. Pictured in this paragraph, he is about 12-13 years old, and was left behind in the garage of a home that had been foreclosed on. Left without food or water he was very ill and unable to stand when I first saw him. I was asked if I could "just" pick him up and take him to a vets office where he could receive overnight care. This is where fate unexpectedly showed up. I just "happened" to be going over to where Hamlet was and where he needed to be taken was on my way home...Even my adamancy or determination to not take another foster dog could trump the card that fate had dealt. I was instantly smitten with Hamlet, and it didn't take long to decide that he had a place as a permanent member of our household.

Which brings me to Maguire...For some reason, he has been a bit more complicated. I've appreciated everyone's vote and support for him to remain with us. I've been under pressure lately with the rescue to find a home for him. They have helped in this effort by highlighting him on the website and featured him in the latest issue of the newsletter. Then you'll remember that couple in DC that applied to adopt from the rescue with Maguire specifically in mind. Well, their home-visit was completed this week and they have changed their mind about him because of his age--Fate quietly dealt me another card...Today I had Maguire at the vet for his yearly exam and he didn't want to leave my side to be taken for blood-work. When the vet-tech returned, Maguire couldn't get back to me fast enough. I don't really know "Tracy" that well but she joked that he was really attached to me, and asked if I was going to keep him--Was Fate, the dealer, asking me if I needed yet another card?

After the vet visit, Maguire and I drove to Wendy's and shared a cheeseburger and fries (I didn't share the Diet Coke!) and as I looked into Maguire's sweet-brown eyes, I told him what you and he have probably known all along, and that's that he would be staying with us. Fate has dealt me enough cards! I know that there are some that say I am "not playing with a full deck" and while I don't know if this is true or not, what I do know without a doubt, is that I am holding a full-house!