If not you, then who?
When two souls are meant to be together, fate will often find a way.
A few months ago, I wrote about a dog named Howie. A perfect companion, Howie had been waiting for an adopter for a long time. He sometimes limped, and the unknown cause of his pain was a deterrent for potential adopters.
Howie had been surrendered to an overcrowded shelter, where he spent 23 or more hours of each day in a cage. A volunteer, Yana, was drawn to him. An experienced foster, she brought him home with her to give him a break from the shelter and promote him for adoption. Months went by, and despite her enormous efforts, no one applied to adopt him.
To increase his chances of adoption, the shelter transferred eight-year-old Howie to a rescue organization that specializes in senior dogs. Unfortunately, that meant Yana could no longer be his foster. She took in another foster dog, and Howie began life at the senior rescue. He could stay indefinitely, for the rest of his life if needed, until someone adopted him.
Always on her mind
Though busy with other foster dogs, Howie was always on Yana’s mind. She wondered if he’d ever find an adopter, and whether that future adopter would be willing to do whatever it took to keep him comfortable. She told friends that in another life, Howie would be hers, but she viewed herself as a foster volunteer, not an adopter, and loved helping dogs in need find homes. “Fostering dogs breathes life into me,” Yana explained.
But Yana’s mindset about fostering was changing. Though she loved helping dogs, several dogs she had helped had been returned by their adopters, through no fault of their own. It was incredibly discouraging. She needed a break.
Yana took a trip-of-a-lifetime to Italy – and spent every day wondering about Howie. And so, while on the other side of the world, Yana made a big decision. “I came to my senses and realized that we were meant to be together,” she explained. “Howie was always special.” She contacted the rescue from Europe and informed them she would be back in a few days. She wanted to get the paperwork started.
When she arrived home, Yana rushed to the senior rescue. She watched as Howie, resting sadly on his bed, lit up when he saw her. He rushed into Yana’s arms, his whole body wiggling so intensely that he knocked over his bowl. Water flew everywhere as they reached each other.
When they got home, Howie ran inside, knowing he was back where he was supposed to be. He gave everything a good sniff and made himself at home. A couple hours later, Howie and Yana were cuddled together on the couch, and it was like he had never left. Howie was right where he belonged, and everything felt right. Howie had found his forever home.
Postscript
The rescue took a celebratory adoption photo of Howie and Yana as they were leaving. Howie is beaming, wearing an “It’s my Gotcha Day” bandana. Yana is next to him, looking content, everything in that moment as it should be. Coincidentally, she was wearing a shirt that read “If not you, then who?” After everything she had been through to help Howie, it was clear. The “who” was always meant to be Yana.
