Viva Sunday #11: One More Easter Egg

I couldn't even have imagined adopting a dog, just a week ago.

When I rewind to the week just before Easter, instead of looking forward to some time off during those public holidays, I was bracing myself.

After all Viva was our Easter Bunny. On top of that, Kenzo's vet suggested we should do as much beach walks with Kenzo as possible for his training and therapy, as the water walker at the animal hospital was closed. The West coast, with ample space and dogs usually hold on leash, would be perfect.

Which meant spending a week in "Viva country"... during Easter... It made me swallow twice.

We had a great week, Kenzo even joined in chasing sunsets, and although Viva was vividly with us during every minute of the day, missing her never made me feel sad. This time it felt like, she was with us, instead of just us, without her. I didn't notice any signs she might have given, other than that the image of her I carry with me in my mind started to change.

Viva seemed more benevolent. She was watching over us, and smiled at us, when we had fun on the beaches with Kenzo.

Coming home with a lightened spirit because of how the week had turned out, I sad down to write about it, and checked my usual blogs and websites for news.

And there was Tilde, up for adoption.

My first thought? This is meant to be. Easter. The West coast. Viva joining us again in spirit. And now Tilde.

I made an effort to fight my impulses, and tried to seek logical reasoning against adopting Tilde. During the last couple of months I (re-)read books like "Dog, Inc.", "Speaking for Spot" and "Pukka's Promise", especially to help me not to find a dog like Viva, not to find a dog that could replace her, but a dog with its own personality, and with a fair and healthy chance at life. And then I realized, Tilde is exactly all of that. I didn't act on an impulse. An impulse merely gave me the last push I needed.

The bottom-line being though, am I ready? In general, I probably am not. But for exactly Tilde, yes I am. Like I told some days ago, as one of the first to see a picture of her as a week old puppy, and following her journey from the puppy mill to her rescue and into her new home she now lost, she feels naturally close to me.

Being allowed the opportunity to see Tilde grow up, to help setting her up for success in this humanized world, is the best gift I could get.

Viva whispered to me to stop writing this "Viva Sunday" series. She would much rather hear about how Tilde and Kenzo are doing, and if they are listening to her lessons how to boss me around.

I told her that I couldn't possibly imagine, they would disappoint her with that.