and then there are the special ones
Working with rescued animals is very emotional. Most days are up, some days are down. At least, you should be emotional since you are working with live creatures, who depend on you for their care and well-being.
There are always the special ones. The ones you fall in love with and never forget. Years can pass and you can see a picture, or someone can bring up a name in conversation, and you will immediately flash back to that animal and smile.
Copper was one of those animals for me. The first time I met him he was cowering in his kennel, shaking all over and fear coming out of every pore. He was young, not quite a year old, red as a copper penny, and I fell in love instantly.
His original name was Gingo, which in the military is an acronym for "Garbage in, garbage out". His intake card said he knew Spanish, but the first time I observed a man speaking to him in Spanish, I knew he was not comfortable with that language. He was literally trying to crawl through a wall to get away. We changed his name to Copper, took Spanish out of our vocabulary while around him, and set about trying to make him feel more comfortable. One special volunteer, Jay, had him out as often as possible to get him socialized and also loved him as much as I did. When overcrowded conditions had the kennel manager at the time, questioning whether he would ever be adopted, he was tested by a behavior specialist and even then, never snapped.
Week after week went by and finally, a man with his children came in looking for a dog. the young girl fell in love with him instantly, and he even wagged his tail at Dad. He got adopted, went home with the family, and lived happily ever after. At least, that is what we always hope for.
Well today, he came back for a visit and I was sent a picture of him and family. He now lives with two small dogs and their owner who have joined the family. He is happy, happy, happy and that makes my day. I could never ask for anything more. A shy, timid, dog who was never supposed to make it, did.
It gives hope to all the other "unadoptable" animals out there. They only need one person to believe in them. You can make a difference for these animals.
There are always the special ones. The ones you fall in love with and never forget. Years can pass and you can see a picture, or someone can bring up a name in conversation, and you will immediately flash back to that animal and smile.
Copper was one of those animals for me. The first time I met him he was cowering in his kennel, shaking all over and fear coming out of every pore. He was young, not quite a year old, red as a copper penny, and I fell in love instantly.
His original name was Gingo, which in the military is an acronym for "Garbage in, garbage out". His intake card said he knew Spanish, but the first time I observed a man speaking to him in Spanish, I knew he was not comfortable with that language. He was literally trying to crawl through a wall to get away. We changed his name to Copper, took Spanish out of our vocabulary while around him, and set about trying to make him feel more comfortable. One special volunteer, Jay, had him out as often as possible to get him socialized and also loved him as much as I did. When overcrowded conditions had the kennel manager at the time, questioning whether he would ever be adopted, he was tested by a behavior specialist and even then, never snapped.
Week after week went by and finally, a man with his children came in looking for a dog. the young girl fell in love with him instantly, and he even wagged his tail at Dad. He got adopted, went home with the family, and lived happily ever after. At least, that is what we always hope for.
Well today, he came back for a visit and I was sent a picture of him and family. He now lives with two small dogs and their owner who have joined the family. He is happy, happy, happy and that makes my day. I could never ask for anything more. A shy, timid, dog who was never supposed to make it, did.
It gives hope to all the other "unadoptable" animals out there. They only need one person to believe in them. You can make a difference for these animals.
Comments