Transforming Hearts & Lives

I have shared with all of you a bit about how Thena came into my life and how she joined our family. With all my past posts, it may seem like everything leading up to the point of her homecoming was easy and straightforward. I can assure you that, to get to where we are today, was an uphill battle.

You see, since childhood, my family and I have always lived in apartment homes. I can remember, even from that young of an age, expressing my desire multiple times to bring home a fur baby. Unfortunately for me, our living arrangements had made it difficult for my family to acquiesce to one. Another critical part of this uphill battle to get Athena was that my mom had never been one to personally bond with a dog or cat. Let me clarify, she likes dogs and cats; however, she has just always preferred not to have one at home herself.

I believe that, as a child, the main excuses that were used by my family to defend their position of not getting me a pet were very typical.... especially in the Latino culture. They would say things such as "you're not ready for that big of a responsibility" or "our living arrangement doesn't leave enough space for a pet to live with us" or "remember that having a pet is expensive". Up until the point where I officially made the decision to adopt a fur baby, these words never stopped floating around in my head. On that dark day where I decided was time to bring home my new little one, that it was now or never, I knew that most of my family would fall in love with my new fur baby. With others, even if I knew they would care for her and appreciate her because she was mine, I was still uncertain if they would be able to create a special and loving bond with them. Boy... now that I think back I can say with certainty that my "discernment" was WAY off!

This is where I can share with you the beauty and magic that these furry companions bring along with them. The day where my family met Athena reinforced for me the idea that their love can conquer even the most skeptical and cautious of hearts. As I said, my mother was always the one who was most hesitant around the idea of pets and, to be honest, I was on high alert with her meeting my puppy. I wanted to see what this little creature would instill in her and if she would be able to use her cuteness and her charm to enter my mom's heart fully. Little did I know, out of all the bonds that Thena was on her way to building, hers and my mom's would be the most solid and heartwarming of all! Who knew and go figure right?!?!

The day Thena came home, as soon as my mom walked in the door, I knew we were going to be alright. As soon as she opened the door and her eyes met Athena she was sold. She saw that cute, adorable, sweet, and innocent little face running up to her and I saw her expression change instantaneously. My mom, the woman I had always known to try and not get too close to pets, ended up on the floor cuddling and playing with Athena for a good 45 minutes! From her mouth flew only words of love for the new little one, words such as "Hay que cosa tan bonita" (oh she's such a cute little thing), "Hay que perrita tan hermosa" (Oh what a cute little dog), and "Hola bebe!" (Hi baby!) My heart swelled with joy knowing that this little one was not only going to bring happiness to my husband and I but also to anyone else that would encounter her in her lifetime. Once she conquered my mom's heart, I knew that it could only be uphill and smooth sailing with anyone else from there!

The beauty of this entire journey with Thena has been seeing how she builds her relationship with her extended family as well. I see each day how, without any outside assistance, she strengthens everyone's love for her. It has also been beautiful to see how my mom now fights for her wellbeing. She's always on the lookout making sure that, on her behalf, Thena is: cared for, loved, snuggled, walked, and played with. Although she knows I'm already on it, her love for this cute little puppy has instilled within her the desire to be the best fur grandpawrent she can be!

I had always been told by those around me that people who are most skeptical or perhaps even opposed to getting pets (especially dogs) are usually the ones that most closely bond to one when they are brought to the household. I always heard it, but I can wholeheartedly say that this is where I myself was the skeptic. It has been the most rewarding experience of my life to see how this unconditional and loving creature can covertly creep into people's hearts and win them over. With this magic, they realize what others mean when they say that a canine's love is "true and unconditional". It is when they also learn why so many other pawrents and grandpawrents out there love on their fur babies and fur grandbabies so hard. They begin to understand why others care so deeply about the wellbeing of these adorable companions. It's because the love that these pets brings is so strong and so pure that it is capable of making every dark moment of our lives ok again. They take life's toughest moments, those moments we feel are unbearable and can't move on from, and they make them bearable. With the magic of their love, they remind us each day that we can pull through anything and, in the midst of those dark times, they faithfully remain there: wagging their tails, pawing at us, bringing us their toys, and doing the unimaginable to heal and distract us.

I knew that bringing home Thena would help me with my emotional and mental health... without a doubt I knew that. I understood that, perhaps she would not be my "be all cure all", but I knew her love would give me an added daily boost. What I did not know is that she would radiate that love and happiness to those that she would meet as well. I know she won't be here for my entire life, but I will always be grateful to her for being there and being unconditional for all of us that surround her. I will always thank her for cheering us all up and giving us an emotional boost when we need it the most. I will also always thank her for showing my family, especially my mom, what a furry companion and their furry love can do and how they can transform our lives and our hearts.