An out-of-town prospect contacted me through my website, asking if I could reserve some time on a Friday afternoon to show her some properties. A few days before her trip here, we set a time & I asked if she would 
meet at the office. She was car-less (her husband would be using it), so she emailed if I could please pick up her and her daughter at the hotel--- and that she'd buy the gas. I wrote back that I'd be happy to pick her up, and would be at the hotel at 2:00 with a full tank of gas.
We had a fun and successful afternoon, and later, clearing out my car, I found she had stashed a gift card from Chevron into my papers and junk on the side of my console. I was simply stunned. What an incredibly thoughtful & generous gesture, entirely unnecessary... one of those moments that arrived as a gift, a seeming token of kindness from above that re-energized my drive and spirit at the end of another long day. It softened my world that
had exceeded its quota of harshness and challenges that week, like arriving at a field of wildflowers and waterfalls after trekking around construction sites for days on end.
Her lovely daughter, a fifth-grader, carried two, well-dressed & obviously well cared for "stuffed" companions in her arms the whole time, except when we stopped for an ice cream. One of her little friends was an adorable dog. I loved it--- one of those Ididitrod-racing huskys.
On Saturday morning, my first appointment of a final walkthrough on a house went very well. My second appointment phoned to let me know that she was running late. I suddenly had about an hour all to myself, which felt heavenly. I went and got one of those dessert coffees which I normally save for a special occasion--- which, I decided, this was. A white-chocolate mocha. The pet store was nearby. I did need some cat food and birdseed, so headed over there. I remembered that the Humane Society often brings some of their "friends" to this shop on Saturdays, and puts them up for adoption. Since I lost my own companion last Thanksgiving, I haven't even wanted to look at another one, carrying around the hope, but also the sadness & emptiness in a well-concealed manner these past months. Now I secretly felt a rush of excitement that I had this unexpected hour and, perhaps, would at least look at the dogs. My heart sort of sank as I entered the warehouse of pets & supplies, and no Humane Society group was there. After filling my cart with animal feed and way too many cat toys (they just seem to vanish into thin air at home!), I waited to checkout, and noticed the group from the Humane Society arriving. I checked my watch. I didn't have much time left now to get to my next appointment. I secretly yelled FASTER in the checkout line that seemed to be overrun with motionless people. I checked out & raced to throw everything in my car, then zipped back into the store to finally have a look at the dogs. And there she was, this little one that I felt instantly connected with. I held this calm (compared to all the other frenzied yappers) little creature that suddenly reminded me of a baby kangaroo. Little kaROO (I thought). I quickly completed 4 pages of an application. They'd phone me in a day or two. My mind was racing and also confirming that I can't be more than 10 minutes late for my appointment--- yes, I gave myself 10 minutes and didn't even care. I must be going crazy. I was, for this puppy...
It only occurred to me after I brought her home last night, that Little kaROO looks very much like the unusual Iditatrod dog-doll that the little girl carried with her on Friday. I felt such a tangible presence of kindness and Love, that must be choreographed from above. Can you imagine, every day, the angel messages coming your way?
THE LEE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY takes in over 7000 animals a year! For information on low cost spay/neuter programs in Alabama, call toll free 1-866-977-2925.
For info on pet adoptions in Lee County, visit lchs@leecountyhumane.org or visit them on 1140 Ware Drive in Auburn, AL (334.821.3222)
© Copyright of puppy photo only and all content, 2008. Mara Hawks, All Rights Reserved
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Hi Mara, I enjoyed this post very much. Must be my strong feminine side coming out:)
That was very cool for the buyer to leave a gas card for you . And even cooler that you now have a new friend in KaROO!!!! I love that name.
Thanks, Bryant :-) Little Karoo is the name of a region on the southeastern side of the Cape Town area. It has beautiful beaches & fauna, and some unusual bird species. When I lived in that area a few years back, I gathered some sweet memories of its unique setting (near the Indian Ocean) and beauty--- I guess you could say 'it gave me paws'...
What an inspirational story! I love those kinds of angel stories, I seem experience them all the time....... God Bless you for being so kind, and your kindness was returned........
Mara:
I am glad that you could open your heart again to welcome in a new companion. I echo the senitments of Bryant, and Sandy. Enjoy KaRoo.
What a great post. Thank you for sharing such a nice, positive post. I love hearing that there are still good people in this world. That was so nice of that client. Your puppy is precious!- Rob's wife, Kristen
Mara, nice ThemThem to THE LEE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY. What a cutie Little Karoo is.
I really enjoyed this post and read it all the way through. I got teary and received chills when you talked about how your new little friend reminded you of the stuffed animal the little girl carried. Angel messages surround us everyday, we have to be open enough to receive them ! What a great inspirational post !
Hi Mara Congrats on both counts! It is always great when someone really appreciates your time and effort. Those are the clients you really want to fo the extra mile for. Enjoy your new friend too :)
Hi Mara,
Thank you for your post!
Mara, wonderful story. All I can say is God works in mysterious ways : )
Bryant - yang would be a complete mess without yin ;-)
Sandy - thank you, and may angels keep charge over you always.
Lorraine & Loretta - I appreciate your support and kind words.
Kristen & Rob - thanks for sharing the joy, and may this day greet you with an abundance of it!
Duane - thanks for spotlighting the wonderful Humane Society. What a blessing!
Melissa - hugs to you, my friend. I was reading one of your posts the other day, and remembered how our country began having laws for animal rights BEFORE they had laws for the rights of children (in the 70's). I know you are an angel among us...
Jack - Jack?
Bill - how you can manage all the real estate in Massachusetts and STILL visit my little blogspace just, well, it sure does keeps me going... thanks for the mileage!
Dan - thank you for the 'encouraging communication' ;-) I'll check out your book.
Gary - Thanks for stopping by on your way back to blogging, I'm sure ;-) Mysterious and funny, too, I think. When GOD named Himself, he could have picked Napoleon or Mufasa or Darth etc., but picked DOG backwards (to us anyway)...WOOF!
Mara, I had noted that God Dog reverse spelling from being just a little kid and always thought it was something wondrous in the universe. If we all could just have that unconditional love as good as our dogs, boy would we be great human beings. And yes, I do check back on blogs in my travels. I'm a blog traveler and it was my time to do a pit stop here : )
I love this story! As my youngest daughter is now seven I'm realizing that it won't be long before she stops bringing her little "friends" along on trips... it will be so sad when the little child imagination gets replaced by more grown-up things. Thankfully there are many pets waiting for us to bring them home- in a way filling those voids.
Mara-I too enjoyed this, and read every word. when I first saw the picture of Little kaROO I thought the little girl had left her stuffie in your car :) I am so glad that the Humane Society showed up at just the right time, cuz obviously this little darling was meant to be with you.......
You lived in South Africa? Was this with a job, or ?????
Gary - this pit stop is open all night long, so stop anytime!
Chuck - be comforted by the fact that my daughter carried a few of her "friends" to college. that lasted less than the first year though, when they found their way back to my home. Of course she wants me to save them--- and all the stories attached.
Kathy - we need to meet for coffee at a cyber cafe! and share some stories... :-)
Mara, this post gave me the chills! Great job
What a touching story and such a cute puppy! Good things happen to good people like you!
Oh Mara, I'm so happy for you
a brand new baby, and just in time for Mothers day! Congratulations mommy...I know the feeling, total unconditional love on both sides! I waited almost 5 years after I lost my fist poodle "Baby" before I got Rhett Butler, and I will never go that long without a day again! Life is just not as good without a dog, they solve a lot of your problems, and are always there for you, no matter what! Please send me more pictures of little kaROO, how is that pronounce? My bond with Rhett is the strongest I've ever had for an animal in my whole 60 years of life, and it was not instant, and took about a week to begin. Then is was like a freight train and has grown into a love so strong it's indescribable.
Did you see the pictures I took of him in the bluebonnets? (the boarder for AR pictures now works :), I love it. Look forward to hearing from you and more pictures of your new baby. Liz
PS, I love your whole story by the way, very uplifting. I hope you sold this nice lady a home? Wish more buyers were this considerate of our time, but it sure is nice when it happens. Also your title...Angle Messages...priceless!
Reminds me of another great story (sorry to be so long). I drove into my garage one night after an extremely long and stressful day at work. I hit the garage door opener and started pulling forward, I noticed a painting, a large framed painting leaning against the back of the garage up against the sheet-rock, were I could not miss it, dead in the middle of my headlights on the ground. I got out of the car and brought the painting in the house. It was a large single angle with her wings spread wide open, kinda contemporary with hues of golds, blues, purples mainly. The card attached said, "Dear Liz, friends are like angles from God", love Linda. WOW, talk about turn a bad day into a great day in a flash! Kinda like your story. L
Judy - greetings from Auburn to Buffalo Grove!
KaROO? - Did you get yourself an agent?? (I'll be making those p-butter cookies for ya soon son!)
Diane - Thanks for stopping by.
Liz - Rhett Butler is handsome as can be! I remember you saying not to wait too long to get another dog. I was glad this one FOUND ME, all rather unexpectedly. I did see your sweet "baby" in the bluebonnets--- beautiful! You have so many beautiful photos on your site. Seems like a garden is always growing there! Thanks for sharing your stories that I always love :-)
Mara, Lovely little doggie! Have fun with him.
Hi Mara,
What a beautiful and touching post, from beginning to end. I love your new little companion...she's adorable.
Angel messages are certainly amazing, aren't they? And they seem to arrive exactly when we need them most....
((-:
Jo
Mara - You are so lucky to have found each other. kaRoo is quite the sweetie - have fun.