Eli

When he leaned in and whispered, "Please, can we get him, Mom?",  I was already two thoughts ahead of him.

We were sitting a few rows back in the Tallahassee Little Theater on opening night of Annie.  I had noticed him in the playbill and learned he was being fostered because like Annie, he was an orphan as well.After the curtain fell, I found his foster mom and told her I was interested.

She took down my information with a promise to keep me informed on any decisions that would be made. 

Then a line began to form.  

By the time the show had run it's course, just shy of a dozen families wanted to make him their own.  

When my son (who was eight years old at the time) and I got home that night, we excitedly announced that we had met the dog of our dreams.  My husband quickly dismissed the idea and crushed our souls.

Because I do not give up dreams without fights, I was able to get him to agree to at least meet this furry thespian.  We were asked to be at the theater that next Sunday, just before the matinee.  I half expected him to have his own dressing room with a star on the door, but instead, he was in a roomy wire cage and a stage mother and good friend was waiting to make the introduction.

In less than one minute, my husband was smitten.

Well then.

We drove home with Eli kisses on our cheeks, hope in our hearts and at least for me, fear of never seeing him again.

After all, there were still all those other families who needed to be rescued.

To Be Continued...