Isabel’s Odyssey

“She’s the one,” Mae said as she and Ray entered my home for the first time, surrounded by three other members of my canine family. “Yes, she is the catalyst… You have your hands full with that one.” I was terrified—I suddenly realized this was serious.

So began one of the most challenging ventures of my life. How do I save my pack? How do I become the leader of my pack?   It is interesting how these unexpected dynamics parallel other life challenges, daring us to find a way, a rescue…

So often I have said “I love them so much.   They know this; it will work itself out.” Mae and Ray in their priceless wisdom have shown me that, yes, love is a critical link in the responsibility chain of balance; yet that is but one link. They taught me (and continue to teach me) how to command (not demand) stability and respect from my loving, beautiful, and admittedly eccentric pets.

I was on the verge of despair , realizing that the once “not an option” suggestion of giving one of them up was suddenly there, an ominous threat to what I always considered an ever-held principle, never to be compromised.

There are no easy fixes, no short-term contrivances---animals are too smart, too instigative for such parochial measures.   My animals challenge me to my core, forcing me to solutions to their unavoidable conclusions---ready or not.  

And so I ask for strength, perseverance, wisdom in bringing this scenario to a happy ever after conclusion. With time and the invaluable guidance May and Rae have provided, I have learned from Mae and Ray , Isabel’s devilish twinkle is becoming one of fun-loving mischief rather than unguided insecure dominance. She is beginning to see that I can now provide the foundation of balance they all need. We are all loving members of a family rescue in progress.