Yara

Two days ago, a wonderful thing happened, a beautiful black Labrador and Flemish Bouvier mix dog named Yara became part of our family. We had been looking to give another animal in need of a home a chance, after our beloved Lafayette died on March 28th. I did not want to wait too long and settle in the heartbreak and loss, but focus on continuing to give shelter animals a second chance like we have been doing now for 27 years, since before my husband Michael and I were married. We checked several dogs at Animal Services here in Olympia, and then through the internet came across Adopt-A-Pet in Shelton. They are the only no kill shelter in the area, with all volunteers. So we checked them out, and found several dogs that sounded promising. The day of the appointment came and we went full of hope and a bit of nerves, too. The dog we were to meet turned out to be very anxious, suffering from extreme separation anxiety and would require a home with lot of acreage so he could slowly build safety in his surroundings, as he liked to escape when left alone even for brief amounts of time. So, we asked about the other dogs, and fate led to Yara. She is a big girl, strong, agile, with a beautiful, shiny black coat and the warmest dark eyes I have ever seen in a dog. She is a three year old female, whose one owner she had since a tiny puppy is now very ill and could no longer care for her. She obviously loved Yara very much, as is evident it the 3 page write-up she has about Yara's personality, story, and likes and dislikes. We fell in love with this strong, calm animal who is already friends with our 12 year old female cat Sneakers, and who is trying very hard to win over our 3 year old boy cat Tigger. I love early mornings and Yara wakes me up by 5:30, and we go listen to the wonderful bird concert in the backyard, such a peaceful, spiritual time of the day. I could make out the sound of six different birds, not counting the mourning doves that visit every day. I heard and saw a bird I had never noticed before, it made a sound like running water from a carafe. It was stunning. Yara  is healing my sorrow over Lafayette, by reminding me that life goes on, and everywhere love is to be found and appreciated, like in her big, peaceful, warm heart. My son and I and my husband Michael take her for walks now every day, which is great exercise for all, as Yara too loves that. Hearts break when they love, and they start to heal when they go beyond the mystery of sorrow, get up and love again. Thank you, sweet lady who took such good care of Yara, thank you, Michael for finding Adopt-A-Pet, and thank you, Adopt-A-Pet for having such a loving, caring shelter with great staff and very well cared for animals. Yara is already filling our hearts with such love and joy.