He changed my life a year before he arrived. My economic reality was dismal; my paycheck was reliable, but the housing bubble was making "affordable rent" insanely high, and inflation was continuing. I had less purchasing oomph than in my first job out of college. I couldn't simply get a better job, although I deserved one (and you probably do too.) I also knew I needed a hearing dog sooner than later. But how could I afford a dog if I didn't know if I could afford rent two, three years later?
There was only one answer.I could write and had always planned to write "later." Well, later had to be now; time to get some courage in me and see if anybody would pay me for writing. After a lot of queries and stale waiting, I got a job freelancing and had a blast writing the articles assigned me-- also, money.
I dedicated that money to my future hearing dog. I began planning, and before 2004 was out, I had my hearing dog candidate, raw, in need of training and love. That was seven years ago.
Since then, we've gone from our first meeting in an urban shelter in DC to living where deers, bear, and wolves may be seen around town. On our journey together I've achieved my dreams of moving north and getting a writing degree. I've also learned that courage is always most necessary when it feels most lacking.
While my hearing dog continues to enrich his life with his sheer personality, quirkiness, and work-- the greatest gift is being impelled to live for today, rather than "someday."
--Happy New Year!--