Be Careful What you Wish
Dear Frankie,
My Mom and I have a wonderful friend named Anne. Since I was a puppy, Anne has shopped for the gifts I give my Mom for her birthday and Mother’s Day. The other day Anne came over to hang out. When my Mom was in the kitchen and couldn’t hear us talking, Anne asked me, “What would you like me to get your Mom this year for Mother’s Day?”
After much thought, I decided a geranium plant with lots of flowers would be nice. After Anne left, I started thinking about Mother’s Day. Suddenly it hit me; I was never going to be a mother. I know that for a fact because girl dogs have to be fixed before the shelter can put them up for adoption. Sometimes I wish I could have had at least one litter of puppies. Do other girl dogs feel the same way, or is it just me?
Best Regards, Abigail
Dear Abigail,
I’m sure many female dogs from shelters share your wish to be a mother. I’m also a rescue and have entertained similar thoughts.
Realistically, having a litter of puppies is not in the cards for us. Dogs that end up in a shelter are there for one of two reasons, either they were abandoned or surrendered. I wonder if you have ever given much thought to what your life would be like if you hadn’t been adopted from a shelter.
I have some clue what that life would have been for me. My Mom was a six-year-old street dog. Life began for my siblings and me behind a dumpster in an alley. Early on, she told us once we could fend for ourselves, we would be living on our own on the street. When we asked how were dogs able to survive without a mom, she said many dogs like herself did just fine as long as they could; forage for food, skirt danger, and find a warm place to sleep at night. Fortunately, the dog officer found my siblings and me while we were still living together, so we never did have to fend for ourselves.
When the officer was loading us into the van, he asked my Mom to come along, she refused. She said street life was in her bones, and as soon as we headed off, she had plans to head south and meet up with some of her canine friends. So, in answer to your question about having a puppy. You could, my Mom did, but I ask you at what cost?
When I read your letter, Abigail, I pictured you, your Mom, and Anne celebrating Mother’s Day together. It made me think how fortunate you were to have one another. It also made me wish that all dogs could have the same good fortune to have a Mom and a friend like yours.
Best, Frankie
P.S. Let me know how your Mom liked the plant
© 2021 Geneva Woodruff
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