| Music: I'll Be Home for Christmas Whispers - Home Old New Orleans Friday's Journal |
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| The Gift of Love |
| Six and a half years ago, the dog I'd loved more dearly than any dog I'd ever had died just before his 16th birthday. I promised myself that I'd never get another dog, because I didn't want to go through the kind of pain his loss caused me again. I've held firm to that promise all this time. But, recently, my 13-year-old granddaughter, who volunteers at the SPCA, told me about a dog they were having trouble placing. It was a story that touched my heart. The dog had been picked up at the city dump, starving and with an injury to her face which eventually left her blind in one eye. That, combined with the fact that she'd had heartworms (which had been treated), seemed to put people off. She added that she hoped they could find a home for Navi (a name someone at the shelter had started calling her), because she was such a sweet dog that she deserved to have a family who loved her. But my granddaughter was beginning to think that wouldn't happen. I talked it over with my husband and the next day, I asked my son to go to the SPCA and adopt her. I told him that if Navi had already been adopted, to choose another dog they were having trouble placing, either because of age or physical handicap. (I couldn't bring myself to go, because I knew that if I went, the faces of the dogs I didn't adopt would haunt me for too long a time.) He came back with Navi. The original intent was to give her a chance at a happy life. But there's a funny thing about love. People who are prepared to give it, often find themselves receiving it. Navi is such a joy and she has brightened all of our lives. She has truly given us the gift of love. I wish you joy this holiday season. I wish you contentment and spiritual enrichment. I wish you happy moments with those you hold dear. I hope that all of your Christmas wishes come true. But, most of all, I wish you love. -- Nancy |
