🤔 Would you adopt a pet if life felt unstable?
“Before my pets, and before the war, I had a privileged life… Now, I don’t feel stable. I’m literally a homeless person–my home was destroyed…
But that’s why I decided to adopt my first dog. I was very lonely and deeply sad… But I like this period of my life. I think my pets, and animals in general, have changed me a lot… Now, I really care about others. I really care about stray animals.”
When we welcome a pet into our lives, we get to provide them with everything they need to live a healthy, happy life.
For those who were in a shelter or on the street, it may be the first time they get to experience what a loving, safe home feels like.
But what happens when “home” doesn’t exist?
What if, instead of a physical structure, “home” becomes a strong effort to provide stability and love, no matter where you are?
When Sophie was displaced from her home during the war, life as she knew it abruptly changed.
But through the hard times, she found a new passion for life… And now has four sweet pets to remind her what life is really about.
The companion she didn’t know she needed
“I was like, ‘What are you going to do with the dog if he doesn't find a family?’ They told me they’d unfortunately have to return him to the area where they found him, and I thought that’s too tough for a three-legged dog… So I decided to take him home.”
When Sophie first saw Poopsy, bringing him home hadn’t even crossed her mind.
Navigating life in a new country after having been displaced, she already had her own issues to figure out.
But when speaking to the volunteers who found him, she learned they didn’t have room to foster him… And they’d be taking him right back to where he was found.
Feeling concerned for the safety of this “undesirable” dog, while also factoring in the sense of loneliness she was currently dealing with, she decided to adopt him.
Now, he would be safe and she would have a companion.
Immediately, he started to impact her life. She found herself putting him first, making sure he was always cared for. They even started to go on runs together!
Little did she realize, that was just the beginning of her new life and identity as a rescue pet mom.
Just a few weeks later, she learned of a cat who needed help. Her plan was to nurse him back to health and then find him a family.
…She became his family.
And now, with plans to travel and live in Morocco, the logistics and cost became something she needed to figure out. After all, she’d never leave her pets behind.
When “no more pets” became two more
“I went to Morocco with my two pets and it was incredibly expensive. I told myself that’s my limit, no more pets...
Yeah, it didn’t work. In Morocco, I decided to adopt another two. I couldn't pass them by… I adopted Larisa when she was a two-month old puppy and adopted Babouche when he was 2 years old–He was born and grew up on the streets of Morocco.”
Sometimes, it seems like life places us exactly where we need to be. That’s how Larisa, the petite girl with bunny ears, came into Sophie’s life.
While walking Poopsy, she came across this tiny stray dog. She had worms and a distended belly and likely wouldn’t make it on her own.
At the time, a couple from the Netherlands had been caring for her for a few days, but they were about to head back home… Without her.
Their plan was to take her to a local shelter before they left, the same shelter Sophie happened to be volunteering at.
Wanting to find her a family instead of ending up at the shelter, Sophie tried to locate a good fit. Instead, she became Larisa’s mom.
This whole time, she also had her eye on a street dog, Babouche, that was part of the local pack in her neighborhood.
Those who lived near her often put food out for the dogs and tried to care for them, but it was still a dangerous life for them.
Over the course of a year or so, Babouche came to trust Sophie. When she went to another village to get groceries, he always followed her and would stay close.
“If I could, I'd like to adopt all of these dogs in this neighborhood, but unfortunately I can't. I decided to adopt Babouche because I felt we had a bond. I believe that he's my soul dog, and he's very calm and he's kind of responsible too.”
So when it came time to head back to Georgia, she knew she couldn’t betray him and leave him behind.
Now with four pets in tow, traveling back would prove to be tricky.
Spending over $5,000, dealing with multiple layovers, and having to find someone willing to put two of the pets in their name during travel, it wouldn’t be an easy trip.
But it was the best choice she’d ever make.
Giving her pets a good place to call home
“In Georgia, they have playgrounds for dogs and they have dog-friendly parks. They also have a new animal protection law. So, I think it's better. I know local volunteers will complain about the local system and how they don’t like it, but compared with Morocco, I think it's heaven for animals.”
Having experienced life with pets in a country that doesn’t view them as admirably as she does, relocating was difficult–But it was the best choice.
Here, her desire to give her pets the best life, and her interest in animal activism, aren’t met with hostility.
Before, she had people threatening her life because of how she cared for animals. Now, she doesn’t feel alone. There are others around her who love animals just as deeply as she does.
She found a local vet who truly cares about her pets, and volunteering at a local shelter allows her to spend time with likeminded people.
She’s able to spend time outside with her little fur family, allowing them to explore new places and experience new smells. It’s also a calmer environment for them to focus on their training.
“I like this country because the nature here is really beautiful. I have a lot of spots to walk my dogs or go hiking, and we can live this outdoorsy life.”
The challenges here seem manageable compared to what she was used to, though they can still be rough.
While there are apartments that allow pets, they often charge twice as much for rent.
Also, many people don’t support the idea of sterilization, so stray animals can be an issue there too.
But for someone who can’t imagine life without her former strays, it’s a safe space where she can give them the attention they deserve.
They might be from the street, but they’re not the same
“There’s a mutual trust between us because they respect my personal boundaries and I respect their personality and their needs.”
The more time Sophie spends with her little crew, the more she’s become attuned to each of them as individuals.
They may have had similar pasts but they’re definitely not the same,
Her cat loves to sit and watch TV alongside her during those more calm moments of the day. He comes when he wants pets but is mostly independent. He’s also the leader of the pack. (Typical cat, right?)
Her dogs love to be outdoors with her, joining her for jogs or hiking various trails. Sometimes, they just spend time in the park too, relaxing or working on training.
If she wants to be more social, she can take Poopsy and Larisa to meet with other dogs for some playtime.
Babouche is more introverted and prefers quiet time.
And while they love the companionship they get from their human, they’re also fairly independent. It’s a nice balance for Sophie.
Regardless of what the day holds, it always ends with them piled into the bed to sleep... Perfect confirmation of the love and trust they feel for Sophie, and for each other.
Life wasn’t supposed to look like this… Now, it’s better
“To be honest, I'm really grateful that I decided to adopt them because they changed my life. For the first time, I think about my future.”
In the past, Sophie figured she was destined for a life of travel. Having lived in multiple countries in just a few years, it was becoming the norm.
With initial plans to stop in Georgia before heading to South Africa and then potentially, heading across the ocean to South America, her mind was often focused on the next step.
But Poopsy, and then the rest, changed all that.
With four pets to care for, she now finds herself putting their needs before her own. They get the best care, the best food, good toys, time outside… Whatever they need for a healthy life, they get.
But that also means traveling isn’t feasible anymore.
For Sophie, the idea of putting down roots was never an option. Now, it’s something she’s excited to work toward.
Thinking of her pets, a house and a yard would provide them with ample space to play and rest. She might even be able to rescue a few more.
It’s a huge contrast to the person she used to be. Her pets changed her life, and she’s beyond grateful for that.
With a BA and MA degree in Art History and Fashion Theory, she used to work as an art journalist.
Now, after the war destroyed her home and displaced her, she now works modest jobs to pay rent.
But when she compares her life now to that of her past, she feels like a completely different person… One who is incredibly compassionate and caring.
“I don't concentrate on my personal life a lot anymore. I used to be kind of self-centered and a little bit selfish but now I'm a completely different person. It's like the war and my pets and the animals taught me how to be this person who I am now.”
No matter how your pet came into your life, they’re here to stay.
But if you had to step away for a few days, would someone know exactly what to do to keep them happy and safe?
If something happened, could someone confidently step in and take your place?
Putting a Cotl plan in place ensures your pet is taken care of, just the way they’re used to, no matter what.
Discover how the process works or book a call directly with Sean, our founder and CEO, to see what a plan could look like for you.
