Once again, it’s time for Thankful Thursday! I hope this post inspires you to consider the things in your life that you are grateful for. If you have a blog, consider posting about it there and link back here. If you don’t have a blog, please feel welcome to comment here on what you are grateful for in your own life. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing, then just take a few moments to reflect on all that you have. If you’d like to tag other bloggers that participate, feel free to do that.

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person. – Author unknown

This statement holds a lot of truth and the events of the past two weeks have certainly dumped me smack in the middle of deciding exactly which I’m presently dealing with:  a reason?  A season?  Or just maybe a lifetime?

I returned from my trip to Columbus refreshed and inspired, full of possibilities and hope.  The BlogPaws event I’d just attended had placed a huge focus on the plight of rescued and abandoned animals, and the week of the 12th was buzzing with news of the “Be The Change” challenge – a call to raise funds for Pets Without Parents, a non profit chosen at random during the conference.  I really do believe that things happen for a reason and that sometimes things are put into our paths at certain times for certain reasons, and this has never been more true for me than that April afternoon.   I’d returned home from Columbus late Sunday night and had left Slobber Dog with my friend Luke for one more night.  I left work on Monday, headed to Luke’s house to pick him up and along the way I noticed this dog sniffing around on the side of the road in a residential area.  In many circumstances I might have shaken my head at the irresponsibility of some pet owners, letting their dogs wander loose near a busy roadway.  But on this day, I was compelled to stop.  Was it the solidarity of the pet bloggers devoted to helping unwanted animals that I’d just experienced?  Was it the bones protruding from this dog’s spine and hips and the way she cowered at the traffic passing by?  It was probably some combination of the two that forced me to pull over on the side of the road and approach her.  It took a few minutes for me to gain her trust enough to get close but when I did, “Hazel” placed her head on my shoulder and stole my heart.  I promptly put her in my car and drove off with her, having no idea of how my decision would play out in the coming days.  To be honest, I still don’t.

From left: Photo courtesy of www.AmazonCares.org; Right: Photo courtesy of Tony Alter, flickr

Hazel has passed her vet exam – she just needs about 10 lbs (about 25% of her current body weight) to be in normal condition;  no heartworm or any other diseases.  She has accepted the other animals and they have accepted her.  She has proven to be a resilient and loving dog, and looks like she will make a full recovery from the likely abuse and neglect she suffered.  I have absolutely no doubt that this dog was in my path for a reason on that afternoon.  She has ignited a spark that I’ve been missing for a long time and I remember how helping rescue dogs has had such a profound impact on my life.   So why do I question her role in my life?

My current living situation dictates that I cannot keep her with me.  I am unable to have any more animals in my apartment, and her needs at this time are far greater than what I can provide for her.  My situation will be changing in August, but what to do until then?  I have been searching for options over the past few weeks and I want to do what’s best for Hazel.  She deserves a loving, stable home.  I have come up with a few options and I will remain hopeful that if this dog is meant to share my life, it will all work out.  Regardless of whether Hazel is here for a reason, a season, or a lifetime, she has shone a bright ray of sunlight into my life and I am so thankful that we crossed paths.

Each of these beautiful dogs is awaiting their forever home at Pet Rescue by Judy, photos courtesy of www.petrescuebyjudy.com

Please check out the Be The Change challenge and pass along the word to your friends.  It’s not too late to donate to the cause or to focus your own efforts in some way to help a rescue of your own choice.  April is Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month and Hazel has been a reminder to me that there are many animals out there that need help.

I hope you all have a wonderful, happy Earth Day Thursday and please visit these other sites that frequently participate in Thankful Thursday:

 Akal Ranch, Enlightened Horsemanship Through Touch, The Pony Expression, and Tired Dog Ranch.