The Good Karma of Adopting Animals

Heavy clouds hung low over the mountains as she made her way to South Lake Tahoe’s animal rescue center. Part of her thought she was crazy to be driving so far to look at a dog she wasn’t even sure she wanted and the other part had missed having an animal in her home. Either way, she was driving to meet a little dog called Spyke.

The day before, she had become bored while on hold trying to reach a customer service representative for her DSL provider. Just for fun, she started hunting online for adoptable small dogs at rescue centers in the area. The smallest dogs in Reno weighed 45 pounds, too big for her tiny, grassless yard. IShe expanded the search parameters until she found the South Lake Tahoe site.

On the home page were pictures of assorted dogs each with snappy captions under their head shots. She spotted two Toy Fox Terriers near the bottom of the page and nearly burst into tears. The text beneath the face of the dog named Spyke read, “ACT QUICKLY.”

She knew she was being cleverly manipulated but emotion trumped logic. As soon as she finished the call with customer service, she dialed the number for the rescue center. The woman who answered explained that Spyke and his daughter were both up for adoption but she recommended they go to separate homes since they might not bond with new owners if they went to a home together. His daughter would easily get car sick, so she chose to meet Spyke because she wanted her little companion to travel with her as much as possible.

Once she announced her choice, the woman proceeded to explain that Spyke was morbidly obese and had behavioral issues like excessive fear, withdrawal, and eating feces. As if that last item wasn’t scary enough, the woman added he might never trust a human. Even with all the warnings she heard herself making an appointment to meet him.

She parked in front of the tidy building, heart thudding loudly in her chest. The friendly woman behind the counter greeted her and then quickly disappeared behind the door leading to the kennels.

Her mouth was dry as popcorn as she again wondered whether or not this was a good idea. She travels a lot for work and struggled with how a dog would work into her life’s plan. Dogs require a lot more attention than cats. The worries and concerns continued until the door to the kennels swung open.

The little white dog with two big brown spots on his side and huge brown ears waddled out behind the woman. She stopped to allow them to check each other out, read auras or do whatever two beings who meet for the first time do.

He hovered behind her legs clearly unsure of the events unfolding around him.

He hovered behind the rescue worker's legs peering tentatively at the new person by stretching his neck to one side. He wasn’t sure about this new person. Maybe he was picking up on her uncertain vibe.

The new person squatted down and asked in a soft but firm voice, “Do you want to come home with me?”

He trotted (as only a fat little dog can) over to her and put one tiny paw on her knee and then ran to hide behind the rescue worker again.

The rescue worker raised her eyebrows and said, “Well, that’s interesting.”

The prospective adoptive "parent" asked if she could take him outside and the rescue worker agreed. She took the end of the nylon cord that was used for a collar and leash from the rescue worker and led him outside. He nervously darted back and forth, unclear of our destination. Halfway between the building and her car she knelt with one knee on the pavement and said, “If you come home with me, you’ll be losing weight and traveling with me. Is that okay with you?”

He stopped frantically moving about and stared at her, as if he was seriously considering my words. He then pressed two front paws into my upper knee and looked her straight in the eye. That was all he had to say.

That was over two short years ago and we live near Boulder now. Spyke has come a long way on the road to trusting humans again. He begs, even demands, to be petted instead of bristling or pulling away. He no longer screams and hides when he sees a mop or stick. I had never heard an animal scream before even though I lived on a farm while growing up.

Everyday he does something to make me laugh. I have learned to live in the moment more by observing how zestfully my little buddy does it. His presence in my life is a blessing. He has a bubblegum pink booster seat that is hideous to look at but he loves it. He even flirts with passengers in the cars beside us at stop and go lights. Occasionally they invite me to roll down his window so they can talk to him.

When he’s especially excited he flops around in his seat with his legs churning wildly in the air. Sometimes he tries to jump on the sofa and doesn’t quite make it. When this happens he looks at me as if embarrassed or assessing if anyone else witnessed his failure.

I've stopped asking questions for which there are no answers. Those abandoned questions ask, "Why would anyone hurt such a sweet animal?" or "How long does it take karma to come back at those who cause suffering?" These questions only serve to keep the questioner in misery. Rather, ask, "What can I do to bring more light and love into the lives of others?" and "What can I do today to make this a better world?"

Adopting pets, especially from the shelters and rescue centers, is good karma for everyone involved. Making sure your pets are spayed and neutered is also good karma.

Animals Lovers, here is an event for you so mark your calendars now. The Boulder Center for Spiritual Living will be hosting an Animal Blessing in the Park. Spyke will be there and he would love to meet you.

What: Animal Blessing in the Park.
When: Sept. 20th 10AM to 1PM
Where: Boulder Foothills Community Park,800 Cherry Lane, Boulder, CO

Until next time bliss & blessings to All...