“No, not this time,” Grace said with sadness in her voice. ”Can we come back on the weekend?”
“We don’t want to hear anything more about puppy size, either,” Mom added.
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!”
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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What a wonderful story!
The sighs/size of your heart —
how big, how many,
How beautiful –
Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for stopping by!
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.
What a heart-warming story, Barb, and it’s left me sniffing too!
Sorry about the sniffles – as long as you enjoyed it!
Barb that was wonderful…thank you for sharing (sigh).
Thanks Jeanne!
Puppy sighs are the best! Thanks, Barb.
Can’t beat ‘em!
Children can be so heart-warming!
Children and puppies get to us every time, don’t they?
Aww! What a sweet story! sigh with a great BIG hug….. Thanks for sharing!
No worries, and thanks for stopping by!
I love it Barb! Big sigh…..
Thanks Shell!
What a beautiful story. I needed that this morning. You just helped put perspective on a bad situation I’m dealing with right now. Thank you Barb!
Glad to be able to help out RD.
Barb,
This story had it all … cute, funny, heart-warming! I loved it!!!
I knew something was coming, but didn’t see ‘sighs’
Awww – thanks Rebekah!
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?
I don’t mind if you print this off Tilly- glad you liked enough to want to!
I have sighs every day and one of those was your blog!
Thanks for saying that. Big smile, Big Hug… ♥♥♥ jackie
Thank you Chris!
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!
That is so beautiful barb… You know, at the end of it, I sighed … in gratitude. Thank you!
Eliz
You sighed? Fantastic – it worked!
You so just made me cry….thanks for the post…xoxo
Awww – I didn’t mean to make you cry!
Well it was good tears….