Looking back at Kharma's start in my Life

October 20, 2007 ... Fires broke out in San Diego County. Growing up in SoCal, I was used to the fall fire. Each October, black and white puffs of smoke in the sky. This day was no different. The following morning the sky darken and the sun couldn't be seen through the haze. The news told everyone to stay home. However, I was working at an Animal Center, located in the middle of the fire zone. I knew that if they had to evacuate, I needed to be at work. I was the Manager of Volunteers and would be needed to organize them.



Arriving at work, we were all worried. More than 350 animals lived at the Center. There were also horses in the Equine Hospital and the Therapeutic Riding program, birds and rabbits in the education animals and the dogs and cats being boarded for their owners. At 10:00 am, the Fire Dept. ordered the evacuation. I was one of several people who got ALL 350 animal rescued in 2-hours.

 

There were 70 plus adoptable dogs needed to be fostered during that time. I spent the entire day calling volunteers and helping to place the dogs in temporary care. I told the manager I could foster a dog also. They were staying at a local retail store.

I arrived and picked up a crate. Staring at me through the gate was a little nose and two sparkling eyes. I brought this dog home, with the assumption that he would be returned to be adopted by someone else.

The Animal Center was closed for 3 days. During that time, this little dog made me go for several walk and he enjoyed "cuddling". On the second day, I spoke with a fellow employee and said I was "thinking" about adopting him. Screams were on the other side of the phone. He still didn't have a name yet. I was sitting on my bed (and of course, he joined me) looking at several websites on name. Baby names, pet names, food names ... etc.
 

I was looking at Indian names when I said the work "Karma". This little dog jumped up and looked at my computer and wagged his tail. Taking this as a sign that he liked his name, he officially was named "Kharma". I added the "h" to make his name stand out a little more special, not that he needed more attention. At that time, I wasn't even looking at bring a dog into my life. I knew someday I would (when the time was right).  Apparently, the time was right for Kharma to come into my life.

The next day, we went to get his bed (which he loves) and dog food and treats.  He seems to have know from that first night, that he walked into his new home. Now he spends a lot of his time, waking me up at 6:30 am .. EVERY morning, walking in the park and being the Canine Executive Officer (CEO) of my photography business. There's been a lot of challenges with a new business, with the economy and life stuff.  

I often wondered what this little dog's life was like before coming into mine, but it doesn't really matter.  But when you've got good Kharma, everything is good. He's Kharma and he's got good karma!

Final note: These are some of the first pictures I took of Kharma.  Also, all the animals evacuated 3 years ago were okay, no one was hurt and they were able to return to the Center within a week.