A year after we adopted Layla, we adopted another puppy from the county animal shelter. This time, instead of being owner-surrendered, she was listed as a stray. Libby was found wandering alone at 10 weeks old and no one came to claim her during her 2 week stray hold.
When I learned that no one came looking for this sweet, vulnerable puppy my heart broke all over again. I previously thought being owner surrendered was the saddest scenario I could imagine, but now I thought this was even sadder. A young puppy, alone and lost and no one came for her.
As with the owner surrender, I have no idea what the circumstances were. Maybe there WERE no owners. Maybe Libby’s mama dog was a stray too and they got separated somehow. Maybe Libby DID have owners but when they saw she’d been taken to the shelter they didn’t have the money to get her out or thought she might be better off in another home.
It also made me think of all the times in my life I had been a stray. Separated from the safety of home and family by chance or by choice. Choosing a path that led to a time of being lost emotionally and spiritually. Wandering and vulnerable.
But the funny thing about straying and being lost is, at the time, we often aren’t aware of it. And that time of separation and wandering is also often a time of searching and learning. Then we find ourselves on the other side. Stronger from wounds that have healed. Wiser from tough lessons learned. More compassionate toward other wanderers. And quicker to extend the grace we have so freely received.