Healing opportunities where you least expect them

A few weeks ago I was on an early morning walk with my neighbor, an animal lover like myself.  Perhaps that is why when we walk together, we frequently come across lost animals.  

This particular day as we were walking home through a not-so-great neighborhood, an older red haired dog wandered into the street. He looked lost, and was not at all street smart as cars approached. He followed us for several blocks, and I became convinced of his need for help. 

I phoned my handyman, who picked us up to take us to the local veterinarian's office.  They found a microchip in the dog, and left a message with the person to whom the dog was registered. I brought the dog home with me and waited for a return call.  I also decided to keep the dog separate from my own three dogs, wary that their comfortable family "pack" might be a bit scary or intimidating for the lone dog.

Mid-afternoon I received a message from the dog owner's sister, who said the owner was in Alaska and she was taking care of the dog.  She said that the dog's name was Reggie and that although she greatly wanted him back, she was babysitting for her grandkids and couldn't pick up Reggie until late that evening.  I agreed to keep Reggie until then.  I hung up feeling relieved, but also a little weepy and overly affectionate toward this dog.  

In the early 90's, I had a wonderful Airedale named Reggie who I deeply loved, but tragically lost.  My live-in boyfriend ran over and killed my Reggie in my driveway.  I never had a chance to say goodbye to Reggie.  He was only six years old at the time and so full of life.  This stray dog Reggie was older, very sweet and loving, and definitely a reminder of my deceased dog Reggie.  And this new Reggie and I had the same color hair!  For the next several hours I spent precious time with this Reggie, and somehow in the process, healed my broken heart.  Reggie savored all the love and attention during these hours together. It seemed that his need for love from me was also just what he needed.  

Around 10 pm, the owner's sister and her teenage niece arrived at my home.  It was apparent that Reggie dearly loved this teenage girl.  As the young girl and Reggie reunited, the woman explained that her brother's wife (this teenage girl's mother) had recently passed away and that the same week, their family cat had passed away as well.   OMG.... Reggie had probably been looking for his owner or his feline friend, and thank God I had found him and returned him to his family.  This young girl had already experienced two losses in one week, and she needed Reggie.  And Reggie clearly needed her.  I felt truly blessed to have been able to reunite them.  And for me, the gift of this Reggie was truly heaven sent.