Nobody realized how difficult it was to go through this pandemic alone. Those who lived with their families were fortunate, but some weathered the storm on their own. Mental health issues were a real concern, especially for those who had no one to rely on but themselves.
Emotional support dogs helped some people deal with feelings of helplessness and frustration. Since the quarantine forced everyone to stay indoors to keep safe, being cooped up with a pet was a better option than flying solo. That was what Sharon Young realized when she adopted a puppy just before the quarantine started.
She already planned on getting a dog, although she had no idea how to go about it. She even had a dog blanket in case she got the chance to adopt one. On one fateful day, she finally met the dog that was meant for her.
As Sharon was walking to the bus stop on her way home, a furry bundle of energy came bounding towards her. She picked up the wriggling furball, who promptly covered her face with sweet puppy kisses. It was love at first sight.
However, the puppy wasn’t alone. A few more pups soon followed, which caught the attention of several people interested in adopting them. The dogs’ owners weren’t home, so Sharon and the others decided to wait to get their permission first before taking them home.
The next-door neighbors were upset with the pups roaming down the street, even threatening to call Animal Control to take them away. Luckily, the owner finally arrived, and the puppies were safely handed over to those who offered to adopt each of them. Sharon, with her newly adopted dog in her arms, trooped on happily towards her apartment.
She named the lovely puppy Thia. It was lucky they found each other in the nick of time. The two spent the lonely hours of the quarantine together, which made the experience bearable, to the say the least.
Photo courtesy of Sharon Jarvis Young