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“Home.”

It’s a sound I’ve heard many, many times. I wasn’t sure what it meant, but I do know that it scared me. Whenever I heard that word spoken about one of my friends, I never saw them again. I missed my friends. I missed the ball games we used to play, and the wrestling matches we’d have while rolling around on the grass in the garden.

Sure, I always made new friends. They came in almost every week. But it wasn’t the same. The new friends were usually very afraid and they didn’t want to play with me. They just wanted to sit in the corner and watch. Sometimes they’d shiver, and sometimes they’d even cry.

I always tried to make my new friends feel better. I wanted them to know it would be okay. Sometimes I’d go lay down next to them and let them feel my warmth. Sure, it’s scary at first when you don’t know where you are, and you just want to run away. Of course, you won’t like feeling trapped. But you’ll get used to it. At least it’s not cold, and you don’t have to worry where your next meal is coming from. I’d been there a very, very long time, so I knew what I was talking about.

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This morning, the most amazing thing happened. The humans that took care of me threw a big party. They made me a cake from sweet potatoes and peanut butter and all kinds of yummy things. Then they put a silly hat on my head and told me I was “going home.”

I was terrified. I remembered my friends who went “home,” and I never saw them again. I tried telling the shelter humans that I didn’t want to go. I cried. I tried hiding behind them, but it didn’t matter. They helped the other humans put me in the machine on wheels and take me away.

When we arrived at my new house, I was in awe. There were big humans, and small humans who all came to greet me and give me hugs. There was a whole box full of toys and a big bowl of food in the kitchen. There was a tree inside the house. Yes, a tree! It had millions and millions of sparkly things on it, and pretty blinking lights all over. I was mesmerized.

And just when I thought things couldn’t get any better, I saw her – the dog. They had another dog! I was beside myself with glee. I started barking and jumping all around the room. The humans laughed and said something about me turning myself inside out, but I couldn’t help it. I was so excited to have a friend.

After my new friend and I played around for a little while, my new human Mom gave me another big hug, kissed me on the snout and said, “Welcome home Bailey,” I almost cried again. But it wasn’t a sad cry this time. It was a happy cry. It was a “I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy” cry.

It’s been a long, exciting whirlwind of a day, and I am completely tuckered out. The little ones are all gone to bed and I’m sitting on the couch getting hugs and ear scratches from my new human dad. I can’t help but think of all my shelter friends who had gone home before me. I remember how scared I was for them when I didn’t know what “going home” meant.

Now I realize how lucky we are. If they have families as fun and loving as the family I have got, they truly are as blessed as me. I also can’t help but think of my other friends who are still in the shelters waiting to find their forever homes and I hope that one day soon, they will get their turn as well.

For now, I will lay here hypnotized by Dad’s ear scratches and the twinkling lights on the tree, and I will try to understand why he won’t let me eat the big sparkly things hanging from the branches. Hmmm seems like I got some convincing to do.

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If you have a desire to adopt a pet during the holiday season, please ensure that you are willing to make a lifetime commitment. Also, never give a pet as a gift unless you are sure the receiver is prepared to make the same commitment. Pets are living, breathing sentient beings. They are not presents to be thrown out with the wrapping paper in January. Thank you and Happy Holidays.