About Me

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My name is Lesli Hyland. In my fifty three years on this earth, my home and my heart have been graced with the company of twenty eight dogs. Many came to me as seniors. All of them taught me something and helped determine the course of my life. I became a dog trainer because of them. I met my friends because of them. My husband and I are are forever bonded by our mutual connection to them. Currently, as a Dog Walker I have access to other people's dogs and I am allowed to experience their unique personalities. The dogs make me a better person by forcing me to closely examine my motivation, my actions and my choices. Everything I do affects their behavior, safety and happiness. It is an awesome responsibility. The dogs keep me honest.

Monday, January 16, 2012

More on fostering

So here's Tucker , resting peacefully on the couch.  His belly is full from breakfast, his wounds are healing...his eyes flutter open and his tail thumps briefly as I walk into the room. It makes my heart feel good when I look at him. 

This is when fostering becomes REALLY difficult. To me, he looks like he belongs here and he is probably beginning to feel the same way.  How can I possibly uproot him again?  How can I send him on to yet another place to adjust to? He has come so far with me...

The answer lies in the faces of the 5 other dogs in my house.  They are not visibly stressed by Tucker being here.  They are eating, playing and following their normal routines. But a 6th dog is...well...a 6th dog! It means my time is divided that much further.  It means that they have that much less of me... and me of them.

I will not lie.  I am pretty attached to Tucker. He is very endearing.  He is sweet.  He is a big goomba! Will he miss me when he moves onto a permanent home?  I think so.  I know I will miss him.  I know I will cry.  But I have to believe that there is someone out there that will love him like I do and perhaps, that someone will have more of that love available to give him.  He deserves more than being one of six.

So, Tucker is still looking for a home.  While he is here I will love him as my own, but I will hold back a tiny piece of my heart . I will remind myself daily that I am part of his journey, not a destination.  And I will try to believe it.
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1 comment:

  1. Erica MarshallJanuary 16, 2012 at 6:18 AM

    no matter how much we rationalize, the letting go is the hardest part. He has been one lucky dog to have been taken under the umbrella of your love and care.

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