I was looking at some pictures of Kali when she was a puppy…..
No I wasn’t. How could I? Kali rescued me when she was about five years old. Five years old is far from a puppy even for a Golden. I can only imagine what she looked like as a puppy. I can only surmise that certain traits she exhibits now would have been evident in some subtle way as a puppy. With my children, now adults, I observe expressions or body language that I can directly relate to them when they were toddlers. I have a wonderful picture of my oldest smiling at his bride during their “first dance” at their wedding reception. It was the same smile – exactly the same smile – he had when I came home from the hospital after my daughter was born and told him he had a baby sister.
I’ve always been one to reminisce about the old days, to look at old photos, and to watch the family videos. Videos – what are those?!? 🙂 It’s gratifying to see my adult children grown up and be able to relate words, expressions, and personality traits to them as young children or infants.
I love Kali as much as my kids. Now don’t try to give me one of those crazy scenarios where Lois Lane was going to be dropped from a helicopter and Jimmy Olsen was half way around the world with a gun to his head and “if you were Superman who would you save?” I do love Kali as much as my kids and yes, on one hand there can’t be the comparison between your child and your dog. On the other hand, Superman would save both Lois and Jimmy without having to justify who he would have saved first. And I too would find a way to save both Kali and my kids if they were in danger at the same time half a world apart. Do I digress? Maybe…
(I think) my point was that I have a plethora of photos of my kids at every age and stage of their lives. If I want to see Jonathan at 6 months old, no problem. If I want to see Jessi at 4 months – pull out the album or call up some scanned photos on my computer. And if I want to see some pictures of Kali as a pup? No-can-do.
So as happy as it makes me to have been rescued by Kali when she was five it makes me a little sad to not know her fully story and past. I wish I could recall in my mind or see a photo and recognize the same expression or body language in a similar situation when she was a pup.
So while I think I will always be rescued versus “born”, if that makes sense in the context of this post and rescued pets, I do think it would be so cool, and I am envious of those of you who have known your dogs since puppy-hood, to have the photos, the memories, and the whole story.
I know where Kali was a year ago. She was in Taiwan almost ready to fly to America and rescue me. But I don’t know where she was two years ago or three years ago. Was she happy? Was she safe. Did she get separated somehow from a great family by accident. Was she used and abused and thrown out with the trash? I don’t know. But what I do know is that as I sit on the patio and write this post Kali lies at my feet tuckered out after a long walk on a hot day. I know she’s safe and loved. She know’s she safe and loved.
And for Kali that’s way better than a box full of pictures.
Golden Kali 
This is such a sweet post. Max was only 3 months old when he was given to me so I have pictures of him as a pup. I did have a female beagle named Patches who was probably 3 or 4 years old when I adopted her and I often imagined what an adorable puppy she must have been. No matter how old they are when they steal your heart they will always be your baby.
That was a beautiful post. I know that a lot of fellow rescue families understand exactly what you mean. While I try to not think about Jacques’ past (he was found wandering in the cold and snow), I agree that some of his traits now probably would’ve been evident when he was a puppy… or, sadly, some of his behaviors now are a direct result of things that he suffered/was exposed to before he found me. It breaks my heart so, right or wrong, I don’t allow myself think about it (or at least not to dwell on it). I think about the here and now… because our lives began when we found each other.
And you’re right – knowing that she’s safe and loved (and knowing that she knows she’s safe and loved) is better than any picture.
While I don’t have any kids to be able to relate to that part of the story, I can sort of relate to not knowing what my Snickers and Polly looked like as puppies. I do, however, know what they looked like as “young adults,” so I feel for you in not knowing what she looked like before maturity. We know only why our bubs were given up, but not much else. I often wonder if the prior owners’ stories were made up anyway just to avoid the real reasons. I think it might be better just not knowing. As long as they’re happy now, it doesn’t really even matter, does it?
Right, as long as they are happy it doesn’t matter. For “them”, as we know, there is no tomorrow, there is no yesterday. There is only today. How awesome must that be?!
A lovely post and one which I can totally relate. I too have children, and boxes of photos, photo albums, and even a few videos. For Ray, I have nothing earlier than our first pic of him at the Humane Society. I see pics of Lab puppies, Great Dane puppies, Golden puppies etc. but of Ray ……….. nothing. I do however often just look at him and note what a lovely face he has and must conclude that he was once one very cute puppy. I may not have any puppy pics of him, but I have something better ………… him! Who could ask for anything more?