Puppy Size

This is one of the neatest stories you will ever hear.  You will know precisely what this little girl is talking about at the end!
“Grace keeps repeating it over and over again.  We’ve been back to this Animal Shelter at least five times, and it’s been weeks now since we started all of this”, the mother told the volunteer.
“What is it she keeps asking for?” the volunteer asked.
“Puppy size!” replied the mother.
“Well, we have plenty of puppies, if that’s what she’s looking for.”
“I know . . . we have seen most of them,” the Mom said in frustration.
Just then, Grace came walking into the office.  ”Well, did you fine one?” asked her Mom.
“No, not this time,” Grace said with sadness in her voice.  ”Can we come back on the weekend?”
The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed.  ”You never know when we will get more dogs.  Unfortunately, there’s always a supply,” the volunteer said.
Grace  took her mother by the hand and headed to the door. “Don’t worry, I’ll find one this weekend,” she said.
Over the next few days, both Mom and Dad had long conversations with Grace.  They both felt she was being too particular.  ”Well if we don’t find one this weekend, we’re not looking any more,” Dad finally said.
“We don’t want to hear anything more about puppy size, either,” Mom added.

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Sure enough, they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning.  By now, Grace knew her way around, so she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs. Tired of the routine, Mom sat in the small waiting room at the end of the first row of cages.  There was an observation window so you could see the animals during times when visitors weren’t permitted.

Grace walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look.  One by one, the dogs were brought out and she held each one.  One by son, she said, “Sorry, but you’re not the one.”

It was at the last cage on this last day in search of the perfect pup.  The volunteer opened the cage door, and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer.

“Mom, that’s it!  I found the right puppy – he’s the one, I know it!” she screamed with joy. “It’s the puppy size!”
But it’s the same size as all the other puppies you held over the last few weeks,” Mom said.
“No, not size . . . the SIGHS. When I held him in my arms, he sighed,” she said.  ”Don’t you remember?  When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart.  The more you love, the bigger the sigh!”

The two women looked at each other for a moment.  Mom didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, and as she stooped down to hug the child, she did a little of both.

“Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh.  When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other, you both sigh.  I knew I would find the right puppy if it signed when I held it in my arms.” she said.  Then, holding the puppy up close to her face, she said, “Mom, he loves me – I heard the sighs of his heart!”

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Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh.
I not only find it in the arms of my loved ones, but in the caress of a sunset, the kiss of the moonlight and the gentle brush of cool air on a hot day.
They are the sighs of God.
Take the time to stop and listen; you will be surprised at what you hear.
‘Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.’

I hope your life is filled with Sighs!!!



 

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32 thoughts on “Puppy Size

  1. I don’t like going to shelters. It makes me feel so bad for the dogs left behind! I wish I could take all of them in! I love all kinds of animals! So often people take in animals, and then neglect them. I love the story! and wakeing up everyday, given another day with my family, and I love the sunrises and sunsets also, and the birds chirping. It’s the simple joys of life.

    • I understand what you mean about going to shelters, because we want to give all the puppies homes, but just knowing one puppy will have a good home and a better life is precious. I used to work in a shelter and I remember how I felt even if only one puppy was chosen that day.
      Yes, when it boils down to it, it’s the simple things in life that mean the most – our family,the sunrise, the sunset, even the very air we breathe.

  2. Awwww! I thought it was going to be puppy’s eyes – the look of love, sort of thing. This was way better. I absolutely loved this story. Do you mind if I print it out for my notebook?

  3. awww, the more you love the more sighs… put tears in my eyes. Since the day your started your blog i have such a hard time with these stories. I love that she found her “right size” pup, but what about all the other ones left behind. I just get a lump in my throat. I love your blog, but have to tell you how I feel. :) Bless your heart.

    • I understand how you feel Jackie about all the other pups being left behind, but they will get chosen for different reasons; each one will be perfect for someone! I don’t aim to make you feel sad, but I’m glad you told me how you feel. I don’t want to chase you away from my blog.
      My next post will be on a lighter note – honest!

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