Ten years ago today, Kim drove me to meet you at South Mimms. My heart pounded with both excitement and anxiety as we rushed toward the transporter van that had brought you and other rescues from Hungary.
The moment our eyes met, my heart skipped a beat. You knew right then that you had me—at hello.
I had reluctantly agreed to foster you after Hilda from Hungary Hearts Dog Rescue told me you weren’t spoken for. If I hadn’t stepped in, you would’ve been left behind when the transport to the UK departed a week later. I had never fostered before, and while the idea terrified me, I was also filled with excitement.
As you sat on my lap driving home, my heart was all in but my head was being rational. I worried about the extra costs of insurance, how I would travel with two dogs, or the expense of boarding both of you. And what about Darcy? How would she feel about you joining our daily lives?
Before the weekend was over, I asked Hilda if I could have first refusal. She laughed because she knew—I was already on my way to becoming a “failed fosterer.”
Ten years on, you’ve remained a mystery, George. You’re the perfect house dog, never barking unless a fox is prowling outside the window. You greet anyone arriving with joy, you spin in circles of excitement. You love all humans and instantly charm everyone you meet. Is it because, when you were wandering the streets, people were a source of food? Perhaps that’s why you have such a strong dislike for big dogs—they likely fought you off for scraps. It still amazes me when I think about how you’ve managed to survive against all odds.
We may never know the full story of what happened to you before you were taken from the streets and sent to a killing station. Thankfully, local shelters working with Hungary Hearts Dog Rescue saved you just in time. That’s where our journey began. And looking back now, it seems I was always destined to be your failed fosterer.
Your physical transformation has been nothing short of incredible.
Your curiosity and endless need to explore have caused more than a few anxious moments. Someone up there must be watching over you, and I’m grateful you’ve always come through unscathed—well, except for that one time a large Labradoodle stepped on your leg and tore your ACL.
Thank you for ten years of unconditional love, even though you’ve often been overshadowed by Darcy and now Lulu. Thank you for accepting Lulu, even though she can be an annoying little sister who absolutely adores you.
When Darcy left us, you sat by me, with me and kept me going.
You may be small in size, but your personality is larger than life.
You were always the odd one out among the doggy friends, often overlooked because of it—just a little black dog of no particular breed.
But when I look into your handsome face and those beautiful, soft brown eyes, I see a little guy who just wants to belong and be loved.
I love you Georgie. The little black dog with the snaggle tooth and distinctive man-bun that has brought so much colour to my life.
As we commemorate this tenth Gotcha Day, we say a little prayer of thanks and hold onto the hope that we’ll be celebrating many more milestones together.
By Wisdom Panel DNA testing , we have determined he is part Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier and Shih-Tzu.
2 Responses
May….You are such a wonderful story teller! The pictures of you and George are beyond precious. The last one of George alone, looking directly into the camera lens, is a stunner! I have followed you for many years and appreciate the time and effort and tears and smiles that go into each post. Thank you. Happy Gotcha Day, George! Valerie from California with Bella, Luke and Noel looking over my shoulder
Thank you Valerie. That meant a lot. Sometimes I wonder why I keep doing this and just when I doubt myself, I always seem to get message like yours, which gives me the oomph and the desire to keep writing.