Chapter 1 - The Divine Appointment

God has a Plan and He is Faithful

It was a late Friday afternoon in early February of 2012 while grabbing some kitty food at a local pet store, that I had my first encounter with this incredible animal. In the autumn a couple of years prior my sweet dog Lady had to be put to sleep due to age and health complications. It was a terribly difficult decision and loss for me. She was my buddy, a rescue and friend from a decade plus of major changes in my life and hers. Lady was also a Divine Appointment as I believe all my little critters have been. I had no thoughts of getting another dog as that pain was still pretty raw and I had other life difficulties pervading. I was still a bit numb emotionally. Little did I know that the quick jaunt to the pet store that day would be another Divine Appointment and that the dear creature and I were about to need and learn from each other in ways that I would come to realize and treasure forever, and I mean forever.

As I walked up to the storefront I noticed some adorable pups on the left of the entrance with folks just enthralled by the fuzzy soft beige and white bundles of adorableness. They had curly tails and little soft triangle ears and a muzzle that could only match, yes, their adorableness. But as I tuned out all the squeaking from the puppies and onlookers my eyes fixed on a gentleman with a beautiful demure gentle-eyed adult dog far separated from the potential adoptive families. She sat quietly alone as if she did not want to be noticed and seemed to be miles from where she was. My heart immediately sympathized and connected…right there in that moment, which was further strengthened by a passing intense deep soul to soul gaze between the two of us as I determinedly went to gather the kitty food I was there to find.

As I left the scene I glanced to see her one more time…the compassion and connection was so strong I had to leave with urgency. I sat in my old SUV for a few moments quietly trying to realize what was happening. At that point I didn’t know anything about her not even her gender or if she was adoptable or belonged to the gentleman sitting apart from her holding her leash. All I knew is that something happened in my heart and I wasn’t ready... nope. As I drove home, I had a long prayer to the Lord about what I was feeling and felt to pray, no intercede, for this special creature…and of course, loving safe, kind homes for those puppies that were stealing hearts. I got home, fed and loved on my kitties and began to try to shake out of my mind and emotions the deep impression that had just been made. It didn’t matter, the work the Lord had begun could not be undone. All weekend I felt to pray for this unusual canine and wondered what the story behind that dog was, and why I had been so affected by the encounter.

Monday rolled around and I finally decided to call the store and see if the manager could shed any light to help me know more. I had wrestled all weekend about the whole adoption thing and had surrendered it to the Lord, that if He had ordained this encounter with this special creature that was apparently on His Mind and now mine, I was indeed willing. The manager and I spoke, I felt stupid at first as that was really a shot in the dark, and I was going on and on about not being able to get this dog out of my mind and described in great detail what very little I did not know. But thankfully, she was understanding and said although she had no idea she would call the rescue that had been out that day and see if they knew. She was patient and encouraging as she rarely heard of such a connection and knew this was something special. She told me she would have to call me back and that was that. I prayed and waited and got back to work.

A few long hours had passed... finally the call had come. I took a deep breath and proverbially “jumped in” and to my overwhelming surprise, relief and wonder the rescue knew exactly who I had seen and yes SHE was adoptable. There wasn’t much the lady from the pet store could share except that they would like to contact me and set up a time to meet and if all went well, she would come home with me. This was almost too much and happening very fast…I had kitties and I knew practically nothing about this beautiful mysterious dog. Having been raised with animals I knew some dogs and some cats are not friends and can be vicious. But God knew this and I had surrendered and said I was willing. I’m a careful planner and not one given to impulse so to have an overwhelming Presence of the Arm of the Lord around this was undeniable and gave surety to my actions. He had a Plan! And He is Faithful! If you know me you know these are principles of God Being Love that I cling to even if just by my fingernails, and if I should not be able to hold, praise God, He’s got me. So I awaited the call from the rescue people who were now my direct link to this possibility and another very long hour went by and then it came.

The lady on the other end of the phone sounded serious and proceeded to ask me a few questions of which I answered to confirm I was that same person she had been directed to call. Once satisfied, she began to share what little she felt comfortable to share. This felt a bit awkward as I wanted to know everything I could. For one thing, I had kitties to think about. But I found out she was of an unknown age, but an adult; she had recently been spayed and was a rescue. They knew she was a husky of some kind and that she was shy. She was pretty sure she would be okay with my cats but said if I had any concerns to let them know. Okay, that was very little information for me but it was enough. I told the Lord I was willing and my heart was truly in it for keeps. We made an appointment to meet after my work that very day at 8:00 p.m. sharp at the pet store location where I first saw her. I was excited, prayerful, needed to have serious talks with my two kitties, and had to get things ready to welcome her home!

 ...Until we meet again...