#foster #seniordogs #adoptdontshop #rescuedog #love
A middle-aged woman peeks into her kennel. She smiles. She wags her tail. Maybe she will adopt her she’s thinking.
Then she walks away.
Par for the course. Everyone who peeks into her kennel usually walks away. Nobody wants an old dog. At this shelter, everyone adopts young dogs who can’t control their bladders. Humans want puppies. Not geriatrics.
If only humans could understand canine language, she would’ve told the lady all about herself and what a good girl she is. It’s a shame that humans don’t speak Dog.
She’s not sure how she ended up in this place. Once she had a family. But they didn’t want her. So they left her here. She waited for them to come back, staring out her kennel door. But her owners were done with her.
That was a lifetime ago. Since then, she’s been stuck in this loud room of kennels with dogs who cry all day long.
She’s overheard the humans’ remarks about her. “How old is that dog?” they ask, pointing at her. “She looks kind of grey.” “Mummy, I don’t want an old dog.” “Poor old girl, nobody’s gonna want an elderly dog.”
Elderly. Who would want an elderly dog? The worst part is, it’s been so long since she’s been touched. When you’re a puppy everyone showers you with affection. They’re always touching you. But when you’re an old dog, they just ignore you.
She wishes she could tell the humans what a good dog she is, tell them about all her skills. Being old has its advantages. For starters, she can hold her bladder! She knows how to watch TV, she knows how to cuddle, how to be patient, she knows how to fend off dangerous postmen.
But it doesn’t matter. This kennel is life now. She knows that one day she will be led to the back room with the doctor, like all the other old dogs. And that will be the end.
The door to her cellblock opens. The place comes unglued with barking dogs.
She can see a little girl. She’s cute. She looks around for a few minutes. Surprisingly, she stops in front of her cage.
She says, “What’s this one’s name?”
“We don’t know,” says the woman employee.
“You don’t know her name?”
“We get a lotta dogs without names, honey.”
The girl approaches the kennel. She doesn’t bother standing. Why waste your energy? You see one kid, you’ve seen them all. She’s not going to adopt her. She’ll end up adopting a rambunctious Labrador-mix.
The child reaches through the bars. “Come here, girl,” she says.
She doesn’t move. She seems sweet enough, sure, but she’s no dummy. This is the same old song and dance. They pet you. Then they figure out you’re an elderly dog, and they keep moving.
“Let’s go, sweetie,” says the girl’s mother. “Let’s go look at the puppies.”
“But I want to pet her.”
A long pause. The woman says, “But don’t you wanna see the younger dogs?”
“Please?”
The cage door opens. This gets her attention. Namely, because her cage door NEVER opens.
The little girl steps in. She’s on her feet now. She’s nervous. Panting. Heart beating fast. Who is this child and what does she want?
She reaches her hand outward. She comes close. She rests her palm on her forehead. The child rubs her fur. And she doesn’t just rub her, she hugs her.
“You’re not too old,” the girl whispers.
Before she realizes what’s happening, the employee places a leash on her and leads her out of the kennel. They are parading her down the aisle. She’s leaving this dreadful place.
Can it be? Is this for real? Or is this a cruel joke?
All the dogs are screaming as she walks by.
In a few minutes, it’s official. The little girl signs a stack of papers then takes her home. She names her Jackie. She gives her a brand new world. She even lets her sleep in her bed.
It all happens so fast that it still seems like some kind of elaborate fantasy. Yesterday; death row. Today; Buckingham Palace.
Sometimes, late at night, when she sleeps beside her, she still can’t get over how beautiful her rescuer is. This girl who makes waking up each morning worthwhile.
This 10-year-old child, who makes her feel as though she had a purpose in the world. Who taught her how to appreciate being alive. Oh, if this kid only knew what she had done by choosing her. If only she knew that she had saved her life. If she knew the devotion she felt. If she only knew how much she loved her.
It really is a shame more humans don’t speak Dog ♥️
*Cindy-Lou x