November, 2017

We are an innocent bystander when it comes to the genesis of many a kid adventure. Take fostering dogs, for example.

One day I offer to take Kai G home after school; harmless. Kai invites us in to look at the 2 puppies that he is fostering, and it turns potentially harmful, in the blink of an eye.

The next thing I know I’m attending trainings (introductory; cat; dog; then foster – for a total of about 6 hours) at the Truckee Humane Society, and on Nov 10th we bring home 2 adorable puppies (part shepherd/collie) which are promptly named Louis and Lila.

And immediately – at least with Mama, Niki, and Britta – it becomes a quest to convince Papa we should keep them.

Now, the word “foster” is not a synonym for “adopt”. Just ain’t.

As time goes on and I unwittingly morph into the bad guy, they keep trying to read clues as to my breaking. Not happening.

Finally, the time comes to return the puppies. Only I neglected (not strategically) to tell everyone the return was pushed back from Monday to Tuesday. So Sunday night emotions are running high, no one is talking to me, and I’m exasperated and reclusive.

Monday morning I realize their emotions had pinnacled due to their thinking D-day was here. It wasn’t, which is where I get to the subject at hand (“The resiliency of kids”).

It was as if Niki and Britta were emotionally spent, had no interest in wallowing in another day of misery, and so they moved on. They were still playing with and taking care of the pups (they were fantastic the entire 18 days), but it was about celebration and not misery. Tuesday the pups are returned (immediately Lila is adopted by Tyler from Squaw; Louis was missed by the twins friend Ella and instead went to the pizza place owners in Homewood) and Britta mentions nonchalantly that it’s good Tyler got Lila since he doesn’t have kids and needs someone/thing around the house.

The resiliency of kids.

In a morbid way, this cheers me up – not because I’m no longer evil; not because this may mean that we will be able to adopt again (it can only get easier, right?); – but because I realize that should my demise be earlier than I hope, it will be OK. They will survive. And thrive.

I do realize I am equating my role in their lives to the role of these short term puppies. Anyway.

The resiliency of kids is really a special thing; I’d argue it’s an important product of evolution, except that it doesn’t seem to stick (adults don’t always show similar levels of resiliency).

I was genuinely concerned this would be a black mark on Papa’s long term report card. Instead I think I received a solid C; maybe even a B-.

All good.