Was the Paris decision the right one?
In which Jill describes how, after Paris, her life went to the dogs.
In what seems like a lifetime ago, I lived in Paris. I went native, as one does, loitering at cafes, memorizing street maps and bus routes, chatting with neighbors at the local news kiosk, and visiting my local Saturday market—panier overflowing with vegetables, a crusty baguette, and Normandy butter. I took weekend sojourns with friends, allowing me a perspective of Europe I would have lost as a solo traveler. I wore accordion-pleated skirts and Doc Martens, sipped Pernod, and disarmed coworkers with acquired slang. It was the heartbeat of my life.
Then my mom got sick.
I rushed to the states for what I thought would be a few weeks. When I returned to Paris, it was to clean out my apartment and ship my belongings home.
This decision has haunted me for 25 years: I could have stayed. And what if I had?
I recently read The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Its premise is that a seemingly insignificant decision can upend any naïve notion of how your life will turn out.
I tell this story because during the holidays we receive sweet greetings from people for whom the decision to adopt a dog has been life-changing. They describe comfort during illness or depression, cross-country trips with the dog riding shotgun, and the blessing of companionship during the darkest days of the pandemic.
They also confirm what we already know: that life is just more fun with a dog. Adopters Steve Sacco and Sandi Gascon rave about their senior pit bull Rocco, whom we rescued in the nick of time from Downey shelter. Sandi and Steve initially rejected Rocco as being too much dog, but then decided to take a chance on him. “He is our joy,” is the frequent caption to charming photos, the latest with Rocco sporting his Christmas scarf in front of the tree.
ROCCO
Even during the first few weeks with a new dog—time that can test the mettle of the most committed adopter—we fortify ourselves with the knowledge that we did our best, and we celebrate the successes. “Just thought I’d let you know that Cooper is doing great,” gushes adopter Karen Garibaldi about a formerly-rowdy shepherd puppy. “We are thoroughly enjoying him and he is best friends with our other dog.”
Here’s Cooper standing next to Karen’s elderly mother, both of them smiling, thick as thieves:
COOPER with KAREN’S MOM
The Midnight Library explores how split-second decisions can shift the course of life’s trajectory. But it also suggests that the decisions we regret might have been the right ones after all.
Had I stayed in Paris, my career would have sputtered, I wouldn’t be in rescue, and I’d miss the relationship and friendships I have now. And it would have been immensely impractical to have a dog.
Turns out, coming home was the right decision.
