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TITLE: Heaven Sent (Revised) By Marjorie McCoy 09/30/08 |
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I was diagnosed with something called Lupus. For those of you who don't know what this is it is a disease that effects your immune system and it also attacks the organs of your body; heart, lungs, kidneys, skin and even the bones. Now my brother had almost died of this disease but the Lord helped him survive. Being told that I also had Lupus depressed me so much. I had a year of school to go but I was so depressed I quit. I stopped going any where.
Then I began thinking about getting a dog. I had wanted one ever since the family's dog had died. But I wasn't sure I could handle a big dog. I didn't know what breed of dog I wanted. But I did know I didn't want any chows or chow mixes. The reason being was the neighbor's chows and chow mixes. They were dirty, matted, ill tempered and had mutliple health problems.
Since I didn't know what breed of dog I wanted I decided to go to the Humane Society and rescue one. I thought I would get a small, female with short hair. I started my search in the month of my birthday. The dog was to be a birthday gift to myself. However, it didn't work out that way. I ended up visiting the Humane Society and Animal Shelters three or four times a month. It wasn't until after six months after my search began that I found that special dog I had been looking for.
Now each time I would look down the isles into each cage. I would make at least four trips up and down. I wasn't trying to be chosey. I had wanted a dog for so long. But I knew that I would know the dog when I saw the one meant for me. I hadn't connected with any of the dogs. So I disappointingly started to leave. I knew this was to be my last trip to the Humane Society or the Shelter. My family was sick and tired of giving me rides to them.
I was about to leave when something told me to take one more look. I thought don't be ridiculous. 'You've looked in each kennel four times. What is going to change.' I felt defeated and so disappointed. I started to think it just wasn't meant to be. Slowly I walked toward the door. I made it too the door leading outside. I had my hand on the handle when it seemed something screamed at me to take one more look. So I did.
It was half way down the isle that I saw the one. I couldn't believe it. My heart leaped with joy. The moment I saw her I knew she was the one. I stared in the dog's eyes. Most dogs would take offense by such action. This dog however did not. She stared back, not with a challenging gaze but with an understanding. There was also a saddness in her eyes...perhaps a reflection of my own sadness. Or it could be she was depressed in her own right. I mean being ripped from your family and put in a strange place. What ever the dog was thinking who really knows.
But I knew I hadn't seen her the first four times. Later I found out this dog's time was up. That made my sadness deepen that a healthy, sweet animal could loose it's live just because no one wanted them. The person whose job it was decided to give her one last day. She had taken the dog in the back but couldn't do it so she took the dog back to the kennel.
I read the dog's papers. The dog was named Candy, six months old and wasn't trained. I thought I can handle this. Although she isn't small and she didn't have short hair. But then I saw the breed...a chow golden mix. My heart fell and I groaned. I knew how the neighbor's chows were. I didn't realize then that was because they were neglected. I stood argueing with myself. I decided to take her home. If I couldn't handle the dog then I could always bring her back.
The first challenge I had was getting Candy in the car. Apparently her only trip in a car had been to bring her to this place. Doubt filled me. It took three people to get the dog in the car. On the ride home I was filled with doubt. Had I done the right thing? My heart said I had but my mind said no.
When we arrived home Candy was left for me to take care of. Of course she was to be my dog so who else would be taking care of her. I made a mistake of opening the car door before clipping the leash to the dog's collar. Candy had enough of the car and bolted. My heart jumped in my throat. I pictued the dog running and running and never come back.
More fear gripped me when I saw the neighbor's chow running after Candy. Now here I pictued my new dog being mauled to death by the neighbor's mean dog. What happened astonded me. Candy stopped on a dime swung around. Now you might be picturing a bloody dog fight. Not so. All Candy did was give the dog a look. The neighbor's dog ran home.
I was amazed. She had sent the mean dog home with out even touching it. Candy continued to run around. I tried to catch her. But as I was my leg gave out on me and down I went. So many emotions whirled inside my mind. What was I thinking? You have to walk a dog and I can't even stay on my feet.
I set where I had fell. I had made a big mistake. Candy was still running around. The tears flowed and I hit the ground. All I could keep thinking was 'What was I thinking?' Then Candy came barreling at me. I don't know if you have ever seen an animal charging at you when you are on the ground but let me tell you it is diffently a scary sight. I had no idea if the dog was going to maul me or keep going. She stopped right in front of me. She looked at me full of concern then she began to lick my tears away. I knew I had done the right thing by bringing Candy home. I know she was sent just for me from Heaven. She has made me so glad I took the chance on a chow mix. She has saved me more than one way.
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