Last September my husband and I bought our first home! This was so exciting for us, especially since we’ve been living in basements our entire marriage.

Purchasing a home seemed like it would be check off our adulting list. However, it was quiet, lonely and empty. Depression creeped up on me as thoughts about my pregnancy losses raced through my head. The silence in our home reminded me of the futures of my children’s lives that never came to pass. I told my husband Irving that I wanted a dog so badly. I know how much a dogs love can heal a broken heart. Irving agreed and we began our search for our potential fur baby.

After a few weeks, I got a message that there were 2 puppies/littermates that needed to be adopted. I saw their picture and I was in love! Irving and I were not prepared for 2 puppies at all. We completed the adoption application and prayed that we would be accepted as parents for these little nuggets.

I was told the day I got approved for the application that the dogs were going to be at an adoption event and that I was not aloud to put a hold for their adoption. I left work early and began my long commute to get my babies! As soon as I got to Waldorf, Maryland, I parked my car and ran to the adoption event. I knew I was late but I had faith that the dogs would still be there.

As soon as I opened the gate, there they were!! My precious Simba and Nala, Simba had a cone on his head because he kept messing with his damaged tail and Nala was taking a much needed nap with her face squished on the cage door. We all happily left the adoption center and went straight to the pet store and filled up our cart with all the dog supplies we needed urgently.

Simba and Nala gave me the motherly experience I so desperately needed with the babies I never had the chance to hold in my arms. They could even sense when my PTSD was triggered. They would quickly come to the rescue to comfort me every single time I felt my life was falling apart.

Simba and Nala were fortunately apart of my life when I was pregnant with my 8th. On Christmas Eve, I came home to My dogs and fell on my knees in tears, explaining to them that the baby did not have a heartbeat and that mommy will be having surgery after the holidays. Both dogs felt my pain and licked my tears away. They didn’t leave my side for days as I grieved.

A few weeks later we presented to Simba and Nala the Golden heart Urn that contained the remains of our daughter. They sniffed it and looked into my eyes with despair. I could feel their sadness as they put back their tiny ears. We grew the strongest bond as a family that day.

Simba and Nala rescued me in one of the darkest moments of my life. If you are struggling with recurrent losses/infant loss, consider an emotional support animal or a trained therapy dog. Us humans tend to say the wrong things and respond poorly to situations like this. Without them even expressing a word, these beautiful animals can help us feel the love and comfort we desperately need throughout the process.

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#Fertility #Family #LDS #Pregnancy #Surrogacy #GestationalCarrier #LeonFamilyJourney #Marriage #ForeverFamily #EternalFamily