Welcome Home!

Glamour Dog?

            Six months ago today, I got a new roommate: a timid, gentle dog with soul-searching eyes and a purple toy elephant. Comet (as she began to be called) came with some not-so-great history, but had been loved a lot by her foster humans, and she responded to her new situation as might be expected.

            She had no idea how long it might last. She wanted things to be stable. She wanted to be safe. She wanted consistency.

            It's said that with re-homed dogs, it takes about 3 days to de-stress from the sudden change, about 3 weeks to learn a new routine and environment, and about 3 months before they know what 'home' truly means. With Comet, I was reminded that this applied to me, and to Watson, as well! It's also recommended to establish the ground rules form the start, beginning as you mean to continue.

            So: off we set. Being gentle and patient, we learned our boundaries, and we deepened our relationship. Basic boundaries are understood (she would sleep on the bed but not soil the carpet; any toy from the dog box was fair to play with, but eating the puzzle pieces is *strongly* discouraged).

            And we gradually set into a rhythm. She's not timid anymore, she has a favourite window to bark from, she knows what it means when I head towards the leash door. She's a smart girl, and a great part of the family. It's not perfect (I have a few puzzles that are now creatively 999-pieces, and some table-begging still happens), but it's good. Our new reality is lovely, because we all decided we would make it that way.

            So what about us? It's almost 3 months ago today we were all thrust into a different way of being: a sudden change, a new way of being, a different way of understanding relationship, rapidly changing rules that we don't always understand. It's a lot to take in! The changes that we have endured are enough to make us dizzy, and they continue to change. And we have been without the comfort of consistency, or the assurance of answers to our questions.

            So what can we do? Well, as with any big change: we can be gentle and patient with ourselves, and with each other. We won't always get it right, but it's part of the journey. In the midst of what we don't know, there's so much that we DO know.

            We know that we are loved. We know we are cared for. We know we are not alone. We know that our well-being is a priority. We know that it's okay to have our good days and not-so-good days. We know that we are wanted. We know that we are 'home'. And we know that - whatever changes - we are going to be okay.

            We can take our time - to de-stress, to learn new patterns of living, and to have a new understanding of home.

            So we adapt - we adjust - we adopt new practices and ways of being, and in doing so we are embraced in the love of God and the love of community. We find a new understanding of what our lives will be like, and we put our energy to the things that matter most to us - our faith being a high priority. And our true selves emerge.

            And so: we embrace the calmness, gentleness, and patience that comes from hearing (yet again!) the voice of Jesus say "welcome home."