[Jody M]

Greeting Adoptees!
Recently I adopted a precious 2 year old dog- a stray dog found wondering the streets. No one claimed her- a cute tiny affectionate maltese dog. It's interesting because we have had her for almost 2 weeks. I have been very aware of the losses she has been through being in two shelters and the separation from the family or person who owned her before. Quite an adjustment all the changes- she was in 2 shelters before we adopted her. She did get very sick earlier this week and the vet said it was likely due to all the changes she's experienced and new foods, etc. It got me to thinking about adoptees and foster children and how they are face loss and separation that is felt not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually. The emotional foundations are impacted by the losses just as I have witnessed how our new dog Emmy life has been altered by all the changes. Our dog seems thrilled and loves the attention, companionship and affection, but I am aware that being with new people for her is not "business as usual" I am sure that we are different than her first family and have different patterns, personalities and ways she must adjust to.
And it also reminds me of God's adopting me into his forever family- and the awesome wonder of being adopted spiritually by my heavenly Father, my only perfect parent. I can rest assure that I am protected and secure and safe in God's care, never to be separated, or abandoned. Like Moses, the adoptee in scripture said " The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms"
Deuteronomy 33:27
Hope other adoptees will share if adopting a pet has triggered thoughts of ones own adoption and/or God's adoptive love.

[legal]

Oh yes Jodi, it certainly has. I tend to adopt animals that have lost their home and not puppies or kittens although I love the little ones. It just feels like I am betraying the older ones who have already been abandoned. I think I first made the connection to God, animals and adoption when my dog died a few years ago. Our pastor teaches that our animals go to Heaven also, so that thrilled me!!!

[Jody M]

Hi from Jody! Thanks for sharing - that is so interesting your taking care of homeless and abandoned animals. Doesn't it seem likely that adoptees would find a compassion and desire to nuture animals that are orphaned. Like identifying their own former need to not be orphaned and the need to care for rejected, abandonded and homeless precious creatures. Thanks so much for sharing, hope others will share their experiences, connections or bible verses with this idea of adoptees adopting or rescuing pets.
Blessings, Jody

[Dickons]

Just thought I would post the link about adoptees and animals in the general adoptee support forum...you will enjoy the responses in it as well.

Questions about animals and giving back

Kind regards,
Dickons

[dpen6]

no, can't say I have ever equated the two. I think I understand the differnce between adopting an animal and a child.

I have adopted dogs anddon't see it as the same as my adoption. Never have.

[Jody M]

Hi, thanks Dickons for sharing and posting the link to the adoptee discussion on adoptees and pets. I have lead adoption triad support groups in IN and IL for a total of 14 years and have seen a pattern in adoptee's loving pets and loving to rescue pets. I do not see adopting a child like adopting a pet. But I do think many adoptees hearts are drawn to orphaned pets, homeless pets because the "orphaned" history we have gives us a compassion or a desire to reach out and nuture the lost or abandoned. I also loved reading about the thought that pets love is unconditional and there is little to no risk in loving a pet-they are often very nuturing and fill an attachment need. Hope more people will share for I have had pets nearly my entire life. Our dog Muffin, a Bichon died in June, at 17 years old. My husband and I were not going to get another dog or pet for we thought we would want to travel more with the "empty nest" and more freedom. But 3 mos. passed and I just wanted a dog and the nuture of a dog. So we adopted a shelter dog- a stray 2 year old tiny maltese 2 weeks ago- We are still wrestling with a name for my husband and sons and I all like different names. I wanted to call her Annie ( like orphan Annie or Anne Shirely of Anne of Green Gables- both adoptees ) so we will see who wins!
Thanks for sharing, hope more Adoptees will share their experience with adopting, caregiving or rescuing dogs, cats or pets/animals.