out came a rainbow

As my preoccupation turned into anxiety I started feeling a weight on my shoulders that my body could not bear. My limbs were burdened by gravity as if they were made of lead. I could not imagine lifting one arm, and so I decided that I was not going to swim, as the three of us normally do on Monday nights. I got Leila and Coline in their swimsuits, flip-flops, hats and goggles and set off to put up posters. The puppies turned 5 week-old last Monday, and this is what was weighing so heavy on me.

After many weeks of talking about them to friends, neighbors and strangers, putting up pictures on fb and a small black and white picture of one of them with the message that they were up for adoption, I had not managed to find a home for any one of them. Our neighbour did insist on me giving one to her, but she is the only person that Thembile barks and growls at, she did not allow the puppies close to her and she assured me that she would not mind the mess a young puppy can make, given that they would just stay on a leash in a concrete area. I was in despair, wondering whether I should euthanise them now or allow them to stay with us and get at least a divorce out of that. The battle that went on in my mind on the value of life and what it means to end it versus making mine miserable drove me to a tearful breakdown in the car as I went on to do what I considered was my last chance: put up posters in town and in the local supermarkets.

As I did so, four supermarket employees jumped on me telling me that they all wanted one and in the middle of that confusion I received the first phone-call (our dentist does not only do miracles on our teeth, but she also put me in touch with a loving lady who took our first puppy). I started looking around searching for the hidden video-camera. That scene was so unreal!

Since last Monday many people have called me, three dogs have already left us and another two are reserved. I cannot believe how much people like dogs here, so of them as garden trophies, but many of those I dealt with out of pure love for dogs. Some sounded disappointed when I said they are stray dogs but in the end I am glad they are, as I prefer their owners not to mind about their pedigree. I could not help but take a picture of the couple who went away with Nelson, Cris' favorite. They had a crush on Nelson and he looked as if he belonged in their arms.

That Monday evening was a good lesson for me. One I have learned before but often forget when I need it most, that life is exactely this, unpredictable.

Meanwhile, Leila made up her mind and will keep Anna, while Elsa is the last one in need of a home. My herb patch and many of my plants / flowers / trees have already been chewed down to the roots, my old pair of socks-turned-toy shredded to pieces and I found one of my slippers in the neighbour's garden. Luckily they have adorable little faces. All is well in puppyland.