When the rescue called about a young Boxer, dumped and pregnant by the highway, I didn’t hesitate. I agreed to foster her temporarily.
I named her Marnie. She was scared, quiet, and watched me with wary eyes. Four days later, she gave birth to four pups. I wasn’t just fostering a dog anymore; I was fostering a family.
As the pups grew, I grew attached. One always slept with his paw on my hand, another followed me everywhere. I was supposed to say goodbye at eight weeks, but when a couple came to adopt one, Marnie became protective. She wasn’t rejecting them; she was just waiting for the right time.
The couple agreed to wait, and months later, the pups grew stronger and more independent. I found the perfect homes for each, except for the brindle boy, who went to the same couple.
On the day of the final adoption, I realized I couldn’t let Marnie go. I called the rescue and said, “Change of plans. I’m keeping Marnie.”
Years later, I tell people: sometimes love sneaks up on you, and sometimes, saying goodbye shows you exactly who you can’t live without.