HELP Animal Welfare - American Pet Magazine ...
HELP Animal Welfare - American Pet Magazine ...
HELP Animal Welfare - American Pet Magazine ...
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2 Measures Above Cloud 9<br />
We Dance With Butterflies<br />
A butterfly caught my eye. It fluttered and dropped, fluttered and dropped, fluttered...<br />
and...dropped. Then, as if home, it landed on his nose. Curious and cross-eyed, Nicodemus<br />
looked up, sneezed, then smiled at me.<br />
I thought nothing of the butterfly. Pretty, but nothing out of the ordinary. But<br />
because this particular butterfly was so insistent at flying in close circles around us, I couldn’t<br />
help but observe its unusual markings—brownish-black in color, a red-orange band across its<br />
left wing, and a huge white dot on its opposite side. Unique for a Red Admiral.<br />
I had recently moved to Baltimore and was lonesome without a pet. It was a time when<br />
new beginnings and revitalized hope were welcome. On this early morning in May, the birds<br />
were chirping, and the smell of spring filled the air. Vast acres of rolling hills glistened with<br />
dew. The trees were lush. The flowers, brilliant.<br />
I never felt better. I was adopting a dog.<br />
My decision was made. Nicodemus was soon to become my first dog (“Rescue Dogs: A First<br />
Second” at <strong>American</strong><strong>Pet</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.com Volume 1 Issue 2 on page 7). He wasn’t even mine yet, and he<br />
welcomed me with a wagging tail. So, I welcomed him with open arms.<br />
During the adoption process I would visit Nicodemus. Taken by surprise, I noticed this<br />
butterfly at each visit. It seemed to be waiting just for us. With closer inspection, I observed<br />
identical markings. How peculiar it would be if it was the same butterfly.<br />
Certainly there must be more than one of its kind.<br />
Written by Christina Bournias<br />
While surrounded by other needy animals at the Baltimore Humane Society<br />
(http//:www.bmorehumane.org), I sought out the magical butterfly. It was nowhere to be<br />
found. The butterfly appeared only with Nicodemus—my own one of a kind.<br />
I diverted my attention from the butterfly, and focused on my herding dog that was<br />
trying so hard to woo me over. After all, I was adopting a dog, not a butterfly. I suppose this<br />
butterfly was part of the package. I laughed it off as a coincidence, and not a “miracle” from<br />
above, and continued filing my application. Even so, it was that specific butterfly that made my<br />
adoption process so riveting.<br />
42 <strong>American</strong><strong>Pet</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.com<br />
...Continued on Page 43