It was the day before New Year’s Eve when Hansel and Gretel arrived—two tiny, trembling bundles of fur who had no idea their lives were about to change. In truth, I didn’t know mine was about to change either. I had made the life-altering decision to foster them when I learned that they had less than a day to live. That knowledge alone cracked something open in me, a deep, primal urgency to save them. And so, I did.
When they arrived, their eyes were wide with uncertainty. They clung to each other, two fragile souls in a world that had not yet been kind to them. My heart, which I thought had known love, stretched in ways I did not know were possible.
At first, they were quiet, watching, waiting, gauging if this was yet another temporary stop or something more. My own dog, once an only child, looked at me with raised eyebrows as if to say, really? Two of them? But within days, she softened, allowing them to share her space, her toys, and eventually, her heart.
And then, oh, then came the transformation.
They discovered belly rubs. They learned that hands could bring kindness, not fear. They realized food would always come, and that they never had to fight for their place at the bowl.
Laughter filled my home where uncertainty had once lived. I found myself giggling at their antics. They became my tiny, four-legged shadows, trailing behind me from room to room, their eyes asking only one thing: Are we safe here? Are we loved?
Yes, my sweet ones. A thousand times, yes.
Gretel: The Sweetheart with a Spark
Oh, Gretel. If ever there was a puppy who could tilt her head just so and make you forget what you were saying, it’s her. With those impossibly big, expressive eyes, she has perfected the art of the love me gaze and let me tell you, it works every time.
Gretel is all about connection. She is the one who will find the nearest available lap and claim it as hers. She leans in when she wants affection, and when you scratch just the right spot behind her ears, she melts like butter in the sun. She craves recognition, not in an attention-seeking way, but in a do you see me? kind of way. And when you do, when you meet those sweet brown eyes with a smile, her whole little body wiggles with joy.
She’s got energy, zoomies are her specialty, but she also has the gift of knowing when to settle. There is an elegance to her, a grace that balances her playful spirit. She’s the kind of dog who will run in circles one moment and curl up beside you the next, her head resting on your leg, sighing the contented sigh of a pup who knows she is loved. (Gretel is in the blue collar in the pic above.)
Hansel: The Happy-Go-Lucky Protector
Hansel, on the other hand, is a vibe. He wakes up every morning with the energy of someone who just realized it is Saturday and there’s bacon.
Everything is exciting. Every meal is the best meal he has ever had. Every toy is a discovery. Every moment is an adventure. Every cuddle is the best cuddle ever!
Hansel is the first to check out a new room, the first to investigate a mysterious sound, the first to test the boundaries of can I reach that if I try hard enough? His spirit is light, joyful, and filled with a kind of carefree confidence that makes you believe everything really is okay.
But don’t let his goofball charm fool you, Hansel has presence. His bark is deep, impressive, and, honestly, a little shocking coming from such a young pup. He has the makings of a loyal protector, not in a fierce, intimidating way, but in the don’t worry, I got this kind of way. He’s the dog that will always let you know when someone’s at the door, but also the dog that will happily accept your love and belly rubs five minutes later.
He loves a good cuddle, a good snack, and a good nap (he wags his tail in his sleep). In short, he loves life. And life loves him right back. (Hansel is in the red collar in the pic above.)
The Forever Family They Deserve
Hansel and Gretel are 5 months old at the time of this writing.
Now, the time has come for their next chapter. A forever home. I know it is out there, the family who will adore them, who will give them treats just because, who will tuck them into beds they never have to leave. Whether together or apart, they will each find love. That is my promise to them.
Whoever adopts Hansel and Gretel, whether together or apart, will be forever changed. Because love like this, the kind that follows you from room to room, that greets you with uncontainable joy, that teaches you how to soften and be still, is the kind of love that lasts a lifetime.
I will miss them more than I can put into words. And I will keep fostering because there will always be more Hansels and Gretels out there, more little lives waiting for someone to say yes, you matter.
So, to their future family, wherever you are get ready. Your life is about to be changed forever. And trust me… you are the lucky ones.
And if you’re the one who wants to say YES to them, please reach out to the Evergreen Animal Protective League:
https://eapl.com/available-dogs-puppies/.
Dog is God spelled backward. And if you ask me, these little ones are Divine!!
~Candace ❤️🐾🐾
