GOD OPENED A DOOR

As I so often do, I was volunteering at an animal shelter to get those very deserving dogs humans of their own. It was packed. A madhouse! People were adopting dogs like crazy. It was a beautiful thing. Unfortunately, while dogs were leaving out of the front door – animals were being turned in through the back door. We’re used to it. Happens all the time.

I was helping someone out, getting them and their pooch to Wellness. In walks a man with a gorgeous purebred black Labrador and a cute little Shepherd mix puppy. I couldn’t take my eyes off of the Lab. She was like a magnet to my eyes, drawing me in and keeping my attention.

I walked up to the owner and asked, “Are you turning them in?” He responded he was. The Lab immediately started licking me. Total sweetie pie. He went on to tell me that he just couldn’t care for them any longer. Normally that irks me, but with age, I’ve learned to hold my tongue. Of course, I was a slow learner.

He agreed to let me take photos of Lola so I could send them off to the rescue group I closely work with. They love Labs and I was determined to make sure she didn’t stay in the shelter for long. I was hoping to get her out quickly. But even I was surprised at what happened next.

While he stood in line to turn his dogs in, a nice lady walked up to me and asked, “I just had to put my black Lab down. I loved her so much. It broke my heart. Do you guys have any black Labs available for adoption?” Hmmm…let me think….

Yes, the light bulb did go off over my head. “Come with me, ma’am.” She followed me to meet Lola. I made the introduction and the woman got a huge smile on her face. Lola loved her. It was an instant bond. She even jumped up in the air and raised her fists in victory, like she had just won a gold medal at the Olympics. Maybe she did. She called her husband and daughter over and they all fell in love with Lola. She looked at me and said, “God opened a door!” I just nodded my head. I think he may have opened a door and a window or two.

The owner handed Lola over to her new family and began to cry. Partly because because he was sorry to know he would never see his friend again, but mostly because he was so blessed to watch his friend go live with her new wonderful family.

I didn’t cry. I just had something in my eye.

They went their separate ways and I know what Lola wants, Lola gets. And she darn well deserved it.

And in case you were wondering what happened to Lola’s puppy friend she came in with, well, someone at the shelter who refers to himself as the Used Dog Salesman of The Year, got him adopted in less than 15 minutes. Not a big deal, My…err…his record is 3 minutes. So Lola’s friend didn’t spend but a speck in time at the shelter till he went home with humans of his own.

Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl… And God opened a door.