I love dogs. Correction….I LUUUURVE dogs. They bring such joy to our human lives, often reminding us that a little love really does go a long way. And theirs is the truest of the unconditional kind.

Back in June of this year I was hurting a lot and just as I was barely getting back on my feet I found myself surrounded by fellow pup lovers in my new building, one that is adequately called “The Dorms.” I was in no place to commit to a four-legged friend of any sort, but couldn’t fight the need deep down to have a companion of sorts, which ultimately led to my decision to start fostering. That way, I could still have my companion but not the long-term commitment/responsibility I wasn’t ready for. Well, enter this lovebug…

…and then my life was forever ruined.

I’m now known as a “foster failure” due to my three-day tenure before official motherhood. Was I ready...like really, really ready? Nah, of course not. But she helps me out with that. I refer to her often as “lovebug” but her name is Kassie (note the “K”). She is a terrier mix, with most likely some Jack Russell, and I believe some Chinese Crested (just look at those spots!). She has been a HUGE game-changer for me and one of the biggest responsibilities I’ve ever had. But she’s worth it. Her exact story is unknown, but she was a shelter pup, and one that was nearly terminated but was rescued just in time by this wonderful local rescue group called Forever Fido (check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ForeverFidoRescue). They nursed her to health and when I met her I knew she was the one to take home. I didn’t know at that exact moment that we would be together permanently, but that’s how it goes to show that I never really “chose” her from the litter of other eager pups, but rather she chose me. These little ones do that…choose their humans, their forever friends, and ultimately their “forever home.” Kassie knew I was the one for her. I’m grateful everyday she chose me. She lights up my life when it’s been so dark this year.

Thank you, my little lovebug, for showing me the way.

On day two of "fostering" she was already my lovebug

When lovebug stepped on a piece of lint remover paper and looked to me for help

My mom is a doll...an infinitely adorable doll. She, like many other Asian moms, thinks constantly about my foodie needs. We'll have a discussion about whether I'm able to find the "essentials" (e.g. KIMCHI, rice, ramen, etc) out here and I'll insist I can make do with the single international market in town. In reality I obviously can't find anything remotely close to the homemade good stuff, but I just try to deter her from attempting to ship kimchi across the country to me to spare any non-Korean postal worker who handles the pungent package. But like I said, my mom is a doll, and I am so grateful that she cannot help herself from looking out for my needs. She went ahead and sent me a care package that says it all: my mommy loves me, not the monopolistic U.S. Postal Service! Well, I'm sure that thought never crosses her mind, but she did complain about their prices! My mom was originally just forwarding me some mail and decided to turn it into a full-on, Gangnam-worthy, care package complete with a jar of homemade kimchi, some ramen, and a giant container of crispy rice. I know only my fellow Asians, and perhaps only Koreans, will understand the depth of love here, but for me, this is yet another reason why moms will NEVER go out of style.

The crown jewel, packaged to perfection!

I am a "foster failure" and I'm darn proud of it

Care package...Gangnam style!