It’s hard to believe it’s almost been a year since adopting Kona but It’s harder to believe I almost let her go. I couldn’t imagine life without my four-legged, wet-nosed best friend now.
Kona’s Story
I decided to foster for Second Chance pet adoptions in the early summer of 2016. The day before I picked up Kona from the shelter, I selfishly told a friend I didn’t want a female or a pit. She was exactly what I thought I didn’t want, but everything I needed.
I immediately started crying when I saw her. Tyler and I picked her up from Second Chance and took her home to our tiny college apartment. She was scared of most noises, nervous to be touched, and hesitant about us. She was overjoyed when I gave her toys, a collar, and a bath —almost as if she’d never received these things before. Over the next few months, we started bonding and it was if she had become a new dog.
In September, it was time to put her up for adoption. I was so devastated that I cried for days. I had never cried about something so much in my life. She had already received multiple adoption applications at the center and a nice family was supposed to look at her during the weekend. I tried to tell myself I was doing the right thing.
When the family called and said they no longer were interested in Kona, I took it as a sign. Obviously, they weren’t interested in her because she was MY dog. I wanted the best life for Kona and I knew she would be happiest with me. A couple days before my twenty-second birthday, I adopted Kona. She was the best gift I’ve ever received.
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What You’ll Learn
Adopting a dog will change your life drastically. You are responsible for another living creature. They depend on you for food, shelter, and safety. You can’t splurge on those new boots you want because you’ll need that money for the dog walker or a vet visit. You will learn how to put yourself second and your dog’s needs first. Do you think I want to wake up at 7 am every morning to take Kona out? Even if it’s downpouring?
However, it’s all worth it when you see their smiling face after a long day at work. Or when they scootch a little closer to you in bed. They’ll teach you all you need to know about unconditional love because they’re full of it. You can scorn them for an accident or eating your sandwich when you’re not looking *cough* *cough* and they still want to give you kisses and play. I swear they make your heart 10 times bigger, just by being there…
Finally, adopting a dog will be like adopting a best friend. Everywhere I go, Kona has to go too. She is always by my side and there for me when I need her. Whenever I’m upset, she consoles me. If I’m scared, she’ll try to protect me. (Keyword: try) And on days it’s hard for me to get out of bed, she’ll give me the extra push I need to get outside. I never feel lonely anymore. I’d rather stay in with my dog nowadays than spend money on drinks at the bar.
More On Adopting
According to the ASPCA, 6.5 million companion animals (dogs and cats) enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year. These animals are given to the shelter for numerous reasons. Some owners have given them up or some have been found on the street. While shelters do the best they can, most shelters do not have enough space or money to host these animals for long.
Each year, approximately 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized. It personally scares me to think Kona could have been a statistic. If you want to help lower these numbers, you can make a difference by adopting a furry friend, opening your home to a foster, or donating to a reputable foundation.
I will never be able to thank Second Chance pet adoptions enough for all they have done for me. Please check out https://www.secondchancenc.org/ for information on how you can help. They are the oldest no-kill rescue organization in Wake County, NC.
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Oh Kona- you are so cute. I just love dogs. There is so much love in that relationship.
Love everything about this post! I’m a foster mom for a local lab rescue and I saved both of my labbies!! Dogs are the best! Especially rescues!
i love pups! i love the idea of fostering because TWO lives get saved – yours and the dogs! <3
So true- especially #1! I never thought I’d let anyone else have breakfast before me, but now that’s changed HA!
Rae | Mindful Rambles
I love this. Your pup has such a sweet little face! Dogs can be such a handful but they’re definitely life changing.
I am so glad that you found Kona! My son is desperate to adopt a dog. We can’t right now but hopefully one day we will make his dream come true.
OMG! I would love to adopt a dog! such a cutie kona!
OMG thank you so much for sharing! We have had our dog, Timmy for almost 5 years and he made us a family. He is the light of our lives and I tell my husband that Timmy is love in its purest form. Tears are welling up just writing this comment because Timmy has just brought so much love and joy into our home, I couldn’t imagine my life without my little guy. Kisses to Kona! 🙂
What a perfect post! My husband and I have been thinking about adopting a dog but there’s just so much to consider! This is very helpful.
What a sweet dog. Looks like both of you are very blessed <3
I found your blog at the Grow Your Blog linkup on Facebook. I love your sweet post, and I agree with it wholeheartedly. My newest dog is also a rescue, and he’s the best dog we’ve ever owned. I’m also a new blogger in the Raleigh area, and it looks like we started our blogs within days of each other. How cool is that?
Yes! My fiancee and I currently have two dogs – it’s a lot of effort but totally worth it!
Love this!!! Both of my dogs are adopted and I would not have it any other way. They both make life so much better. They always keep me laughing and they are the best part of coming home.
Love this story! I seriously don’t know what I would do without our pup. He is the snuggliest, even if he’s kinda stinky. When I was pregnant he couldn’t snuggle close enough to the belly, always by my side like my personal protector!
WE’ve been discussing adopting more and more seriously. I hope we do soon!
Kona is so cute and looks like a great match for you. My last 2 pets were fosters I told myself I would not adopt. Funny how that works. I agree wholeheartedly that pets expand our lives and grow our hearts. Besides, we can all use a little unconditional love.
I love your story and every word rings true for me. We adopted a dog last July, our first dog (we have been married for 20 years and have three teenagers!). It sure threw us for a loop, changing everything about our lives. But I wouldn’t trade a minute. Benny is sometimes very persistent and stubborn, but oh so worth it!
This is such a sweet post! I’m reading it with my adopted pup curled up next to me on the couch 🙂 I think from time to time about how lucky we are that there were volunteers willing to drive him up to Massachusetts from South Carolina, where he and his siblings were found in the wild. If people hadn’t been willing to give up their time to make sure that those dogs got out of that shelter, he would have been euthanized. It brings tears to my eyes to think about never having met Jack – he really has changed my life. I’ve never felt so much love for an animal before (don’t tell my kittens!) because of how giant his love is for me. Okay, I’m literally crying while typing now, going to go hug my pup until I feel better!
This is too beautiful! Good on you for adopting – it’s such a wonderful thing to give new life to these pups. My uncle actually runs an adoption service of previously abused, neglected, re-trained and rehabilitated dogs, so I’m a huge advocate for adoption.
Christie’s Take on Life. xx
Look at those ears, too darn cute! Giving a pet a home who otherwise wouldn’t have one is the sweetest thing someone can do!
I love this, I’m a strong believer in “adopt don’t shop” and in Dubai we have a terrible problem with people buying illegally bread puppies, petshops selling sick animals and people abandoning their pets when they leave, it’s heartbreaking. I don’t know what I’d do without my dog, we ended up bringing her home almost by accident when her and her siblings were dumped at my friends work, I couldn’t imagine life without her now. I always grew up with dogs and they were always rescues, it just breaks my heart that there are so many pups who need homes so desperately.
Great read! I cannot wait to adopt! 🙂