Home for the Holidays

In animal rescue, there are many tough days. Often... the tough days turn into tough weeks... which soon become tough months.

But days like today... make it all worth it.

Today, my Marco was adopted. Yes, that Marco... my little storm survivor.

On Monday, I wrote a heartfelt blog about Marco. My greatest hope was that the post would lead my special boy home for the holidays...

But in writing that post, I knew the reality of the situation. I've written blog posts about each of my Lucky Dogs. Many of those posts were written months ago... and many of those pups are still waiting to go home.

Why so? At Lucky Dog Rescue, I take the dogs with no other hope. My dogs are rescued from the most horrific situations... abuse, neglect, chaining, baiting, and torture. I also save many with special needs, illness, and health issues.

I choose to save the worst of the worst... because they deserve it. These are the babies who've experienced the purest evil that exists in this world... never receiving an ounce of compassion to ease their pain.

And if not for Lucky Dog, nearly every dog here would've been killed in a shelter... without ever knowing love.

However, in saving the worst cases... I'm also saving the least adoptable dogs. Therefore, my dogs are often here with me for much longer than many pets with other animal rescue groups. And I'm okay with that. 

When I save these dogs, I know that they'll likely stay with me for a while.

So... when they finally do go home... there's this mixture of pain and joy in my heart... that just can't be described in words.

For me, that moment is incredible. It's heartbreaking. It's everything to me.

Today, my Marco was adopted. For months now... I've been waiting for this day. Because today is the day... that I finally got to send my special, homeless boy... home, forever.

But the best part? Marco wasn't adopted by strangers... but by a family he already knows and loves.

My friend, Kim, was one of the amazing fosters that stepped-up to help me over the Thanksgiving holiday. When she offered to foster one of my babies for the week, I said, "What about Marco?" She excitedly said, "Yes!!!"

I knew that Marco would steal Kim's heart --he's freaking awesome-- but I never in a million years expected Kim's family to adopt him. That was just too good to be true. 

But when they brought Marco back to Lucky Dog, Kim couldn't stop crying. She didn't even want to go home that night... because Marco wasn't there. And every day after that, Kim would check-in with me, to ask how he was doing.

Yesterday, I was going through a couple of adoption applications for Marco. As I was about to contact one of the families for an interview, I received a text from Kim:

"Ashley, we'd really love to adopt our baby Marco."

Suddenly, tears filled my eyes. I said, "Really?!?! Kim!!! Best news ever! He's yours."

Kim's family has been so good to me, and especially to Marco. When I received that message from her, my heart was filled with so much joy... knowing that my Marco... was finally going home.

Today, Kim came to adopt her new baby. When she walked through the door, Marco's smile and excitement lit up the room. That moment... was one of the greatest moments of my life.

For Marco... it's the only moment that's ever really mattered.

As Kim was filling out the adoption paperwork, I said: "Just so you know... I'm going to sob when you leave with him. But I promise I'm so happy for Marco. I'm just sad for me. I'm going to miss him so much."

Kim said, "Aww, Ashley! Every time we go out of town, we'll be boarding Marco here at Lucky Dog Retreat. So, you'll see him again soon. I promise."

I looked down at Marco, and said, "Did you hear that, buddy?! We still get to play together!" I watched his tail wag like crazy.

I kneeled down, to give Marco one more massive hug. I held his face, looked him in the eyes, and through my tears, I said: "I know you have a new mom now... but can I still be your best friend?"

Marco smiled and kissed my cheek. Then, with tears streaming down my face... I watched, as Marco pranced out the door with his new mom, Kim.

And just like that... my Marco went home for the holidays... and forever.

CLICK TO DONATE TO LUCKY DOG RESCUE!