“The love of a rescue dog is the most genuine and pure love you can find. They are living proof that love and trust can be renewed and rebuilt.” — Ashley Owen Hill

One week ago I shared a story about our daughter Naomi’s fresh start in her new apartment (Tabula Rasa is my most-viewed post this year). The words of encouragement you all continue to share have been beautiful in every way.

Then there is not only an apartment but a job too. And after two weeks Naomi is receiving rave reviews along with an invitation into management training. We are very proud of her because it is not so easy to jump back into the workforce after more than a decade. Successful work is an affirmation in itself, then good words from both employers and customers are likewise encouraging on every level.

Then, as if to completely guarantee both good vibes and no time to rest, she came back from the animal shelter with a puppy. Obi-Wan Kenobi is around 80-pounds of irrepressible, slobbery puppy love. But he is cute, I will grant him that, and he is very much on-brand for our daughter.

“What do you mean by ‘on-brand,’” you ask? Well, time will tell but I see Kenobi as full with love, loaded with potential, a challenge when it comes to “manageable” but worth all the effort and the hard work – and very much guaranteed to keep the household just a heartbeat, or one wrong move away from chaos.

Rescue works both ways:

Of course this “being rescued” thing can work both ways. Naomi is giving Kenobi the love and stability that was yanked out from under him when he lost his home – and you just know he is going to return it and then some.

Maybe Kenobi will get to meet Max some day? Max could teach him a thing or two about living with people and helping to lower everyone’s blood pressure.

“Besides,” Max would say, “I was rescued too. You are going to have a wonderful life with your new person.”

It is also true that, sticking with the Star Wars theme, “Much to learn you still have, young Padawan.“

But you know what? I have a feeling about Kenobi: “The force is strong with this one…”

– DEREK