Meghan Alice, Emlyn, Margot and Lion, Winnipeg
Identity: Meghan - genderfluid person | Alice - cis woman
'The kids had reached an age where they were both potty-trained and more independent and Alice and I had settled into a routine as a couple. Both the children now saw Alice as a parent and so I finally adjusted to the joy and extra energy that came from having a partner parenting with me. But I was still really struggling with the emptiness and quiet of the house when the kids went to stay with their Dad. Of course there’s grief with divorce, but there’s also an element of loss as a parent that I don't hear talked about often. Missing time with your kids is hard as is the
environment and lifestyle change every few days. That emptiness coupled with lockdowns and winter was crippling.
We started to think about adopting a rescue knowing that it would likely take some time to find the right dog with the right temperament that would thrive in our family dynamic. It turned out that it didn't take long at all, that we would be bringing home a 12 week old puppy and that he would be just perfect.
I expected a puppy would bring more noise, work and chaos into our lives but was ready to embrace it as an equalizer when the kids were gone. What I hadn’t anticipated was how much love Lion would bring. On the days the kids go away, he lays beside me and I rest my head on him like a pillow and we watch TV. He's so gentle and intuitive. It's been so good for me in levelling out that drastic change every few days. Alice and the kids have also grown their own unique bonds with him - he is incredibly attached to Alice and the kids make him so happy. He's bigger and heavier than them now, but he still curls up to them whenever they're sitting
still long enough.
I have a weak right side and deal with chronic pain from a TIA ten years ago which had really discouraged me from being active. But now I’m looking forward to the weather changing so we can take Lion out on adventures. Lion’s calm demeanour makes it possible for me to be able to walk him without being concerned about him pulling - it feels like he senses my limitations.
Lion’s just as gentle now as he was on the first day we met him. He doesn't seem like a 6 month old puppy or the big dog he is. He's so aware of his body and he’s especially aware of how he moves himself around the kids. Getting attention is done by putting his head between your legs and waiting for pets, rather than jumping up on you. He's found his rhythm with each of us and the kids are completely in love with him. Lion’s been a huge source of comfort for our oldest Emelyn who sometimes will ask to sit with him to help her with her feelings. I can’t imagine him not being a part of our family - he makes our family.'