On June 29th, I became a new mom to a very large new furry kid.  I signed up to be a foster parent for a German Shepherd for the German Shepherd Rescue of Northern California.  I went through their process to make sure I was a good pet mom.  After I applied, a volunteer came to my home to check it out and to meet me in person to interview me and spend some time with me in my home to make sure my home and I would be a good fit to take care of their dogs in need.  The volunteer and I will undoubtedly have a long-term relationship given our mutual love of animals and desire to make their lives better.

I was approved and impatiently waited to receive my foster dog.  The same volunteer who met me in my home delivered my new pup to me about a week later.  It was love at first sight!

His name is “Teddy Bear,” and I call him “Teddy.”  He is about two years old, although you wouldn’t have guessed it to look at him.  He was emaciated.  Tears welled up in my eyes when I saw him for the first time.  His ribs pushed through the thin skin covering them and his bony hips protruded through his coarse, thin, malnourished fur. He weighed a mere 60 pounds and a healthy weight for this guy is about 100 pounds.  He had a skin and ear infection and needed some love.  My home was ready to supply everything he needed.

I guess I could live here

I spent the next couple of weeks giving him as much love as each moment could hold.  He became my shadow and we went everywhere together. As soon as the volunteer left, Teddy and I walked to the Napa River.

Teddy’s first walk to the Napa River

Teddy checking out the river

Happy Dog celebrating his first day of freedom

The power of touch is important for both human beings and animals.  Throughout the day, I would massage him from head to toe, giving his atrophied muscles some gentle love and encouragement to grow while building trust to let Teddy know he had a safe home and owner.

Time for a massage mom!

I immediately recognized he was special.  He has the temperament of a wise old soul with the fun loving attitude of a pup.  I have two cats and he instinctively gave them the respect of knowing he was entering their home.  It was quite extraordinary to see how good he was with them.  They didn’t immediately return his generous attitude.

Teddy Bear look at Trouble Cat in the pot and Claire on the chair pad

When the rescue organization told me someone was interested in adopting him, my stomach jumped into my throat.  I had fallen in love with this guy and couldn’t imagine him leaving my home.  In a very short time, he had touched my heart and gave me a renewed desire to more fully explore life and create adventure.  Importantly, one of my goals is to volunteer with returning war veterans who are recovering from post traumatic stress disorder.  I want to volunteer with my dog, particularly a German Shepherd, because I believe we can make a difference.  Given Teddy’s temperament, I thought he’d be the perfect dog for this duty.  After speaking to the rescue organization, they agreed.  I adopted this precious boy and now he has his forever home.

We go hiking….

Resting after hiking a huge hill

Teddy ready to launch a long hike

Wow mom – check out that view!

A good place to rest

How lucky am I??

Ahhhhhh, the good life

And wine tasting…

One glass too many

After a full morning of socializing, Teddy was crashed on the tasting room floor

And work out…

Time to work out mom

And he checks out skunks…

Teddy’s first (& hopefully last) skunk encounter in his first week in his new home

And he likes napping, especially after eating big meals, which he now can count on three times a day….

Teddy Crashed on his bed

And he plays…

Teddy enjoying a chew toy in the yard

And he is flourishing….

Teddy under a redwood tree

Teddy taking a breather after a long walk

In a very short time, we’ve already had a lot of adventures.  And it’s just the start.  We count on a lifetime full of adventure and making a difference.  Stay tuned as I’ll undoubtedly share our adventures with you.  I hope you will create your own adventures and add a rescue animal to your life.  They understand the karma of a second chance and will add a dimension to your life that you will never get in any other way.

Carpe Diem!

• Author
• Recent Posts

Joan Jakel

I'm an Empowerment Instigator - equal parts Personal Development and Mindset Coach, Business Attorney, Entrepreneur & Creative Maverick.

I help purpose-driven entrepreneurs upgrade their mindset, eliminate limiting beliefs and reprogram critical, negative self-talk so they can courageously and authentically use their voice, gifts and talents to make a bigger impact.

If you're ready to thrive and develop an unshakeable belief in who you are and what you can achieve, let's talk!

Carpe Diem!

Latest posts by Joan Jakel (see all)

• Speak Your Truth – Mastering Communication in Challenging Circumstances - July 1, 2023
• Live Life on Your Terms – Break Free from Conditioning - June 21, 2023
• Are You Letting Your Circumstances Define You? - June 15, 2023