The Things We Want
Do you ever really, REALLY want something… only to be disappointed when you get it and it isn’t as great as you imagined it would be?
Certain members of my family have been asking for years for a pet. Most often, but not always, the request is for a dog. Sometimes this asking has sounded more like begging, whining or even nagging. They’ve assured me that they will care for the dog… feeding, bathing, cleaning up refuse, etc. Recently they’ve even lobbied that there is no better time to add a pet to our family than now, as we could give it so much love and attention while we’re all home anyway. One family member in particular has conducted countless internet searches for available dogs in Fort Worth that would steal our hearts and complete our lives. Apparently there’s been a void in our family for years and I’ve been blind to it. Lucky for me these people in my home are here to point it out and suggest a solution.
And so began the conversation about how to give a family a pet when not everyone in the family wants a pet. The answer? Fostering.
I agreed to apply for us to be a foster family for dogs waiting to be adopted. Now, let me be clear: I like dogs, but I don’t want a dog. I like other people’s dogs just fine. So this solution seemed to me like a generous offer and a safe way to dip our toe into these waters without the lasting commitment of adopting a pet of our own. “We” can get our dog fix by caring for a pet for a few days or weeks, then watch it be adopted by a family eager to love it unconditionally. This is something I apparently am unable to do, but I have much respect for those of you who can.
A few weeks ago I submitted an inquiry and application to one fostering organization. I got no response. Last weekend I tried another group. This time I got a text response within an hour. The response included a request for us to foster not one, but two puppies. Imagine the squeals of delight I heard when we received pictures of these cute six-week-old puppies who could fill our hearts and home with love until they become eligible for adoption in three weeks. With nervous excitement at the possibilities, I agreed.
The next afternoon we met our puppies. It was instant love. Within an hour certain people at my address declared outright that we should adopt these identical brothers and keep them for our family. Within 24 hours, that changed.
Puppies are a lot of work.
Puppies cry. Puppies are not house-trained. Puppies wrestle and fight with each other in a way that dog people describe as normal puppy play, but our family finds unsettling. Puppies are not house-trained. Puppies nip at our feet and our fingers and chew everything else. Puppies are not house-trained. Puppies sleep a lot during the day (I love this part), but they don’t sleep all night (I do not love this part). Did I mention that puppies are not house-trained? I remind you of this because they remind us of this many, many times each day.
Now the family’s assessment has changed. The bloom is off the puppy rose, and the next three weeks feel like they will never end. This is not what we (ahem, they) expected it would be. Speculations swirl about how this could be different. Maybe a different breed or personality would fit our family better. Perhaps we’d enjoy an older dog more. In a moment of desperation and fatigue, one dog-loving family member admitted wanting our lives and our home to go back to normal… which means without a dog.
What happens when we get what we want? Sometimes it’s fulfilling and satisfying and delightful. Sometimes, though, we learn we wanted the wrong thing. Experience can be a hard teacher, but an accurate one.
I’ve been reading Proverbs lately, which keeps reminding me that my need for wisdom from God and from godly people never goes away. What are the things I want? What are the things God wants for me? The two are not always the same, but I want them to be. I want to be wise when I ask God for things. I’m hopeful and thankful that God doesn’t view our time together as three long weeks to endure, but as an opportunity to care for me and teach me.
And for the record, wanting a puppy is not a bad thing. I hope you enjoy yours very much. I have two that will be ready for adoption very soon. - Kathy Raines, Minister of Administration
3 Comments
Enjoyed your story that taught a lesson. All of us have learned the hard way if we will admit it.
Kathy, someone suggest that you wrap a windup clock in a towel and put next to the puppies. They will hear the tick & it will calm them.
I'm happy to report that both puppies have been adopted into loving homes!