Pawrenting with Purpose

The Story of Romo and the Unexpected Path to Healing

They say that once you discover your purpose, life begins to flow seamlessly, as if the universe has been waiting to guide you down that very path. For a long time, I was content with the belief that simply living each day was purpose enough. There was no need to dig deeper, to ask questions about the meaning behind it all. But life, as it turns out, has a way of upending such notions with little warning. Sometimes, it comes with a whisper. Other times, it hits you hard—like a brick aimed squarely at your third eye.

My “brick” came in the form of news that shattered my world. Romo, my four-legged partner in crime, had been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that offered no cure. The vet’s recommendation echoed in my mind like a tolling bell: “You should consider putting him down. Three days is all you have to decide.” Three days to comprehend a world without Romo, to prepare for the unthinkable. How do you say goodbye to the being that has become your shadow, your joy, your reason for laughter on the darkest days?

In that crushing moment, I found my purpose. Not one that I sought, but one that chose me. I would be Romo’s support animal, as improbable as that sounds. For the next three weeks, we embarked on a journey fueled by sheer will, love, and the unspoken bond that only a pawrent can understand. The bucket list idea wasn’t born out of grief—it was born out of defiance. If Romo’s time was limited, it would be spent savoring the moments that made his tail wag, his eyes sparkle.

We made the most of those days. It felt like a dance between us, where time moved in fits and starts, each day both fleeting and eternal. In those weeks, something happened that I had never experienced before. I ceased being a person navigating life alone and became part of a shared existence that transcended language and simple affection. It was as if we communicated through a pulse, an electric current that hummed between us.

Three weeks later, when the vet called with an incredulous tone, telling me that Romo’s bloodwork looked promising, I almost cried with relief. “Keep doing whatever you’re doing,” he said, and it felt as though the universe had given us an unexpected reprieve. It was a miracle, and it happened just in time for my birthday—a sign, I dared to hope, that our story wasn’t finished.

But life, in its unfathomable way, had other plans. The day after my birthday, Romo stopped eating. The celebratory feeling dissipated, replaced with a sinking realization that our miracle had come with an expiration date. A week later, I made the impossible decision and said goodbye.

The thing about Romo, though, is that his purpose wasn’t just to exist beside me. He came to teach me, to show me how to connect in ways I’d never known were possible, to awaken an understanding within myself that living was more than just surviving. It was about purpose, connection, and moments that made you feel more than human.

A few years later, on May 5, 2019, Sauli found her way into my life. She was a different kind of energy—just as loving but uniquely her own. It was as if Romo had passed me a torch, whispering in the way only a departed soul can: “Keep going. Love isn’t finite.”

The idea of being a “support animal” may seem humorous, but I’ve come to believe that the animal within us is often kinder, braver, and more open-hearted than the human. And maybe that’s what pawrenting truly is: not just giving love but becoming something greater because of it.

The story of pawrenting, once begun, doesn’t have a tidy conclusion. It’s an ongoing, evolving chapter of life that takes on new forms with every wag of a tail and every shared glance. For me, Romo’s legacy was more than a memory; it was a lesson in resilience, vulnerability, and finding joy in moments that others might overlook. That purpose he instilled has guided me through times when loneliness loomed larger than hope, and it continues to be a light I carry for Sauli.

Sauli’s entry into my world was different but equally transformative. If Romo taught me the depth of mutual reliance, Sauli showed me how to navigate chaos with a spirited playfulness that refuses to yield. She has this knack for injecting life into the mundane, a mischief that forces me to stay present and creative. Whether she’s nudging my arm while I’m trying to work or insisting on her nightly ritual of parading around the house with her favorite toy, Sauli’s purpose seems to be reminding me that life, even when complicated, is meant to be relished.

Pawrenting doesn’t come with a manual. It doesn’t offer guarantees, nor does it promise that every day will be easy. It’s filled with early mornings, late-night walks, vet visits that make your stomach flip, and moments of panic when you think, “Am I doing this right?” But for every ounce of doubt, there is a weightier truth: the unparalleled bond that forms between you and your pup. It’s a relationship woven from trust, loyalty, and unconditional love.

For anyone out there considering adopting, fostering, or simply opening their heart to an animal in need, know that it is a commitment, yes, but one that redefines who you are. You won’t just gain a companion; you’ll uncover parts of yourself that have been waiting to be discovered. And perhaps, like Romo did for me, that furry friend will hand you a purpose so profound that it changes your world forever.

So, as Sauli and I continue our journey—each day an exploration, a new lesson, and a shared experience—I look back on the beginning, where I thought I was just giving a dog a home. Little did I know, I was inviting purpose itself to move in and make me more alive than ever before.

To those who are navigating pawrenting or contemplating it, embrace it with all its messiness and beauty. Your life may never be the same, but in the best possible way. And remember: somewhere, a soul is waiting not just for a home but for a partner in their own journey of purpose.

So, here’s to pawrenting—not for the faint-hearted, not just a responsibility, but a purpose in its purest form.

Note: Adopt, don’t shop. Somewhere out there, tiny paws might be waiting for you to help complete their story—and yours.