February.

In just a few days I will celebrate a year. A year unlike any I've ever experienced before. A year of trial and error, of ups and downs, of highs and lows and all those other cliched opposites. Last year I was a M E S S. A giant, colossal, heaping mess. However I had found something that I was good and at was feeling like I was making a difference. Fostering. I had helped 5 dogs feel safe and loved until they found homes of their own. In this time, I was aching for another canine companion because of the mess factor. The foster lady had said she was saving a mamma dog and her pups and that I would be a great place for the "GS mix mamma". I remember reading that text and I was so excited! The previous 5 dogs were all small, like Chihuahuas types, so I had requested a slightly bigger dog. I waited for what seemed like forever. Then finally she brought me this scared, skiddish, unsure but beautiful creature. The lady explained that she had to drag her out of the kennel at the pound. Every sound or quick movement scared her for awhile but she was very sweet from the start. She had some health issues and had to get fixed. At first she was just another foster...well sorta because I never referred to myself as mom to any other dog or let any of them in my bed. And I got to name her. I never had that responsibility before because all the other dogs came with names. (Tilly Mia Copper Lovegood.) But I still said I wanted to find her the "perfect home". The entire reason for fostering was because I lived alone in a tiny apartment and worked a lot. And the ups and downs I mentioned, because Tilly was a mess at first too, sheets got eaten through her kennel, she destroyed my very sentimental box and other mishaps that stemmed from her anxiety. Months passes and I grew more and more attached. Finally after a tearful trail night at a potential adopters home I decided. I decided that I might not have a yard full of kids and 24/7 to spend with her but I would love her the best. I would take her to the dog park often and hikes whenever we could and Cleo and I could be the perfect family for her! Tilly has helped me more than anything/one could have. As she has blossomed into the worlds best dog I feel like she's allowed me to get better also. I never expected to adopt a dog out of my fostering but she was mine long before I signed the papers to make it official. I love this dog, sometimes I fall short but she loves me too. I can hardly believe it's been a year with her in my life. So happy that she's mine forever.