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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