Olivia’s Family
My Happy New Beginning
Hi, it’s me, Olivia, the sweet girl that was turned into the shelter by my former owners. The shelter was a very lonely, noisy place and I got so sad and depressed, I felt like no one wanted me. Then one day, these nice people came to the shelter to visit some Shepherds. They walked by my kennel and stopped to say hi to me. I was so sad to be in that place that I didn’t even bother looking at them. So many people have walked by my kennel but just weren’t interested enough in me to meet me so I didn’t think they were any different. I just didn’t want to get my hopes up and get let down. Truthfully, at that point, I pretty much gave up on life after my family gave up on me. But the day those people came to visit me would change my life forever.
Even though I ignored them and didn’t so much as acknowledged they were even there, they still saw something special in me that made them want to meet me. I just couldn’t believe it, do I dare to even hope? When the kennel attendant took me out of my kennel and walked me to the meeting area so they could spend some time with me, I started perking up. Boy was it good to be out of the kennel, be outside in the sun and have room to walk around and explore! These people spent a lot of time with me, temperament tested me and gave me lots of love. I started feeling again like maybe I am a special girl after all, that I am worth loving. Despite my sadness and depression, they saw what a sweet, good girl I am and wanted to give me another chance at happiness so they rescued me. And that was the day that changed my life.
When I got to my foster home, I was surprised to see all the dogs there but it was a completely different feeling from the shelter. The dogs here were happy and playing and were having lots of fun. It was noisy sometimes but it was a good kind of noisy, you know the sounds we Shepherds make when we play. Anyway, I got to know everyone and before long, I felt like I belonged and was a part of the pack. I got to play with toys, chew on white bones and had my foster brothers and sisters to play with. Wow, my life definitely turned around! My sad and depressed days were definitely behind me, I left those days at the shelter and never looked back!
As the weeks passed, I started going to adoption events to meet potential forever families. I didn’t mind going to the events because I always got a lot of love and attention from the people visiting the booth. Eventually, inquiries and applications came in for me and I went to some meet & greets but the right family for me just hadn’t come along yet. In the meantime, I went to stay at a different foster home for a little while for a change of scenery. That home was fun to be in too because there were other dogs there to play with. When that foster family went on vacation, I went to stay at another foster home that was nearby. You’d think with all the home changes, I’d be confused but no, not me, I was totally fine with it. I’m a really easygoing girl and adapt well to my surroundings, all I need is love and I’m happy. And of course, in all my foster homes, they all loved me and spoiled me so there was nothing to complain about!
Anyway, one day my foster mom took me to a park for another meet and greet. We met this nice man who saw me on the website. He told my foster mom that he thought my temperament was perfect for him. He loved the fact that I am a sweet girl that likes to take it easy and just hang out. We spent a while at the park getting to know each other. He asked a lot of questions about me, training and just about having a dog because he never had a dog before. I took that as a good sign because he was so interested in learning all about it. I was thinking to myself, I would be the perfect first dog for him, I hope I won him over! After the meet & greet, my foster mom told me I was such a good girl and that I did a good job at showing him what a great dog I am. She told me that we might have just found the perfect home for me but we still had to do the home visit just to be sure. So we did the home visit and everything was good. He decided to foster me first to be sure that we were a good match for each other which was cool but I had a feeling he was already falling for me. How did I know? Well, he already bought me a bunch of toys, a couple comfy dog beds and treats before I even got there!
I settled in easily, though I didn’t like that my new foster dad had to go to work every day because I miss him when he’s gone. But his neighbor started coming over during the day to take me on walks and that was really cool because I didn’t have to stay in the house all day long. She also spoils me like crazy and cares so much about me. I was making friends fast! All my foster dad’s friends that met me, loved me. I even got to play a part in one of his friend’s marriage proposal! I think I did a really good job because she said yes. I was really enjoying my life in my home! I even got to go to work with my foster dad when he was called in late one night. I felt so special and I liked seeing where he worked.
It didn’t take long for me to realize that this was the home I’ve been waiting for. My foster dad loves me for me. He didn’t have any expectations of who I should be, he accepted me as I am. I am not the healthiest dog in the world, I do have some health issues but that didn’t stop my foster dad from loving and committing to me despite those issues. He gives me unconditional love and I give it right back to him. We are a perfect pair, there for each other through thick and thin. So the day finally came when we made it official! The paperwork was done and I officially became daddy’s girl! There was a time when I thought I would never be happy again and to have this new beginning with so much love and happiness, I am the luckiest girl ever!