“Whoever said diamonds are a girl’s best friend obviously never owned a dog.” -Unknown
It’s a Dog’s Life
This past Christmas, once again I was going through a very challenging time and felt very alone. Almost Home No-Kill Shelter, was going through an equally challenging time, having lost their shelter building due to some really unfortunate circumstances and politics in the City of Southfield. Daily, I watched them desparately trying to find foster or adoptive homes for their remaining animals. One day I noticed they were urgently begging for help to save a sweet-looking guy named Henry, who was about to be euthanized at a high kill shelter. Almost Home has a heart of gold and could not stand by and let this guy be euthanized, so they pulled him from the shelter. The dedicated Almost Home staff has faith that would move mountains, and somehow knew that someone would step up and help this guy out! Well that faith definitely moved me. At the 11th hour, and just a day or two before Christmas, I found myself driving to pick up Henry the min pin mix. I may not have been the best person for the job, but I could not stand the idea of Henry ending up back at the kill shelter. I had a little extra time off from teaching during the holidays and perhaps doing a good deed would make me feel better. Besides, staying with me had to be better than being euthanized. Fostering Henry changed my life! He was so appreciative. He snuggled me every night that he was with me. Of course having another pet to take care of was quite a bit of work, but I wouldn’t have traded the experience for the world. It also made me appreciate my own dogs more, and I vowed to have a better relationship with them. I am happy to say that Henry found a wonderful “furever” home. I also kept my promise to my guys, and we are currently doing obedience training with Sit Means Sit in Rochester Hills. I may have been unable to improve the other relationships in my life, but I can have a WONDERFUL and REWARDING relationship with my dogs! Once again, what began as a simple good deed has led to another life-changing experience. The day I made that trip to pick up little Henry for Christmas, has changed my life for the better, in ways too numerous to count.
Growing up, I never had a dog, let alone dogs. I always loved animals: fish, frogs, birds, squirrels, rabbits, crayfish and horses. I often dreamed of befriending wild animals so that they would become my pets. I fed squirrels from my hand, and tried to talk my parents into getting me a horse. During the summers, when we stayed at our cottage in Brighton, there was a Beagle, Nixon, across the road who would escape his dog house weekly so that he could come over to play with me. We became fast friends and had many fun adventures together. We would swim, go fishing along the shore, float on an inner tube together. I made sure he got plenty of treats and petting, before his Dad called him to come home. Nixon was the first dog I ever loved.
It wasn’t until my late 20’s that I got my first dog, Comet, followed by Chili, both Goldens. After this I knew I would always have a dog. My dogs were my life and I wanted to take them everywhere with me. They were wonderful family pets who even helped me raise my children. When Comet and Chili passed away, we had CJ, another Golden. It was when he was alone that I considered becoming a foster parent. I thought this would be a good way to deal with the grief of losing my other pets, while doing a good deed in the process, Once I visited Almost Home No Kill Shelter, I discovered the unexpected joy of fostering a shelter pet! It is no surprise that on my first attempt at fostering, I became a foster failure and adopted Pete. Pete was no Golden Retriever; he was a scruffy terrier mix who thought he was a German Shepherd. He had been a stray and had some behavioral issues. I felt right away that he needed me. I couldn’t stand the thought of what would happen to him if the wrong person adopted him. It turns out that I needed him as much as he needed me. Pete was the best snuggler I could have hoped for, and comforted me through a bitter divorce. He was meant to be my dog.
After my first foster failure with Pete, many years have passed. After being moved to do a good deed in fostering Henry, I have ended up fostering two more dogs. My next foster dog, Odie, was a wonderful guy who was given up by his family. Most people would rather give up their pet instead of training them. Happily, Odie very quicly went to a loving furever home with a family dedicated to taking him on walks every day. I was SO happy for Odie! I have no doubt that at this very moment, he is enjoying his winter on the beach in Florida with his new family.
My current foster dog is a Corgi mix named Emmage, who was also scheduled to be euthanized. This is a familiar theme. How many dogs are dropped off at shelters to face a similar fate. When Almost Home asked me to foster another dog, a part of me really wanted a break so I could spend time training my own dogs. I work several jobs and sometimes end up spreading myself too thin. It occurred to me that what for me is a mere inconvenience, means life or death to this dog. I had a moment of clarity when I faced this reality. Of all the regrets I’ve had in life; none of them were for something I did. Rather; all my regrets were due to the things I DIDN’T do, I regretted the times I could have helped but didn’t. After all, this was about a dog’s LIFE! I said yes to fostering Emmage. Even though I don’t have as much time with him as I would like, I can at least give him a chance at life. In mid-March he will begin training with Sit Means Sit, through their generous and amazing “Don’t Leave Me A Stray” program. I wish with all my heart that this will help Emmage find the home he deserves.
When we say, “It’s a dog’s life” we usually mean a life of ease, a life of lounging around sleeping and eating; a life without want. Sadly, this is NOT reality for many dogs, and definitely not for shelter dogs. Every dog deserves a dog’s life. Together, we can make a difference. We can help to end the misery inflicted on unwanted animals. Animals DO feel,. They are happy, sad, depressed, scared, excited, content and everything in between. Most importantly, dogs are designed to be our companions. They look to us as leaders. They know how to give and to receive unconditional love. Through supporting animal rescues such as Almost Home, and through supporting training programs such as Sit Means Sit, we can make the world a better place for animals and their humans! I encourage you to donate, to foster, or to adopt! Train your dog so that you can enjoy many happy years together.
Almost Home No-Kill Shelter…the most compassionate, loving and selfless humans you would ever want to meet. They help the dogs and cats that no one else will help. Tell them Pete sent you! http://www.almosthomeanimals.org/
Sit Means Sit, Metro Detroit is amazing, generous, compassionate and effective! They will help you to train your dog to be a happy family pet. They really do love your dog as much as you do. Because of Sit Means Sit, I can go on a relaxing walk with my dogs. They have changed my life in a huge way! https://sitmeanssit.com/dog-training-mu/metro-detroit-dog-training/
The Buddy Bandanas http://www.thebuddybandana.com This is a fun and stylish way to support animal rescues as they donate to rescue organizations. You and your buddy can wear matching bandanas and headbands or scrunchies. You will receive 40% off your bandana order plus free shipping if you order using the code: lifewithlisayogini
If you live in the Rochester Hills/Troy, MI and surrounding areas, an AWESOME place to buy your dog food and treats is Uncle Luke’s Feed Store! Great prices and amazing service! They are a place that will know you by name whenever you walk through the door! http://www.unclelukes.com/
Remember, “It’s a dog’s life!” Please adopt and don’t shop!
Lisa Calice, E-RYT 200 and Dog Lover Extraordinaire!
Life with Lisa Yogini 
You have such a big heart for people and animals and I‘m always amazed at the hard work you do! Keep it up and know I’m always here for you when you need me 🙂
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Lisa you are a wonderful person! You have such a huge heart that is so kind. I’m so lucky to call you my friend! Besides being a great friend, you are an amazing yoga instructor. You have helped me physically and mentally through your yoga classes.
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