This is gorgeous. Your mention of pushing her little nose back through the gates reminds me of how I feel pushing Bilbo’s little nose back into her room when her roaming time is over and I’m done work for the day. It always breaks my heart
Oh I loved this Sam! This is my favourite kind of travel writing - the story of something happening in a place, the place is important but it's really the story that we're here for.
I know what you mean when you write: “The worst thing about living abroad—or anywhere outside the rich, privileged, American bubble I come from—is the constant exposure to all the ills of the world that I simply cannot fix.” I’m not from the same American bubble as you but from a privileged background all the same, a background I didn’t truly understand as privileged until I started traveling.
Yes, same! I suppose I always knew that I was privileged, but didn't have a real sense of the scale of my privilege until I started traveling beyond Western Europe.
It's become trendy on forums like Reddit to refer to the U.S. as a "third world country," and while the U.S. absolutely has problems, I'm not sure people who call it a third world country realize how much worse things can get and how much they are taking for granted. Being born in a wealthy country is, in itself, a privilege. (This is why travel is important!!)
Such a sweet story about you, Boo, and the dear, trusting stray. My precious husky Bear crossed over the Rainbow Bridge several years ago. I miss him still. I’m glad Samantha, Jr. now has a home!
brb crying
Consider my heart fully melted
This is gorgeous. Your mention of pushing her little nose back through the gates reminds me of how I feel pushing Bilbo’s little nose back into her room when her roaming time is over and I’m done work for the day. It always breaks my heart
Bilbo!! My heart swells every time I hear a Bilbo story.
It's so hard not be able to give pets everything they want and also not be able to explain why!
You can't save the world, but you can make a tiny corner of it a little bit better.
It’s the best any of us can do. ❤️
Oh I loved this Sam! This is my favourite kind of travel writing - the story of something happening in a place, the place is important but it's really the story that we're here for.
I agree with this so much! A place can be interesting, but the stories that happen there are what matter.
So happy this story had a happy ending.
I know what you mean when you write: “The worst thing about living abroad—or anywhere outside the rich, privileged, American bubble I come from—is the constant exposure to all the ills of the world that I simply cannot fix.” I’m not from the same American bubble as you but from a privileged background all the same, a background I didn’t truly understand as privileged until I started traveling.
Yes, same! I suppose I always knew that I was privileged, but didn't have a real sense of the scale of my privilege until I started traveling beyond Western Europe.
It's become trendy on forums like Reddit to refer to the U.S. as a "third world country," and while the U.S. absolutely has problems, I'm not sure people who call it a third world country realize how much worse things can get and how much they are taking for granted. Being born in a wealthy country is, in itself, a privilege. (This is why travel is important!!)
What a beautiful story, Sam. I’m so glad “Samantha” found a home.
Such a beautiful story, melted my heart 😍. Thank you !
Was holding my breath! Beautiful, Sam.
Aww 🥰 so glad it all worked out
me too!!
Enjoyed reading this. Gave a good sense of what it's like to live in Amman. So many strays. Glad this one found the love she deserved!
Thank you so much for reading, Brandon! Glad you enjoyed it!
Samantha! I loved this piece so much. Boo! Stray! Your tender heart and its desire to hold amid so much lack of holding. Thank you for sharing.
Thank YOU for reading, Holly! 😊
You ripped my heart out with this one!
Just beautiful. Thankyou . Such a wonderfull story to escape into and away from all that is sad in this world. Your words always transport me.
❤️ thank you for reading!
Such a sweet story about you, Boo, and the dear, trusting stray. My precious husky Bear crossed over the Rainbow Bridge several years ago. I miss him still. I’m glad Samantha, Jr. now has a home!