One day, a few short weeks ago,
we were visiting our favorite shelter just to thank the staff for their daily efforts on behalf of abandoned animals.
A man came into the lobby trailing a dog who obviously was having some difficulty keeping up. The dog sank to the floor alongside
of us and sighed deeply. If there ever was a creature who seemed to have lost all hope,
this was one.
We
listened as the man made the surrender arrangements, and heard the words, "too old," "no time" and "too
busy." We asked the dog's name and age and the man replied "Kody, he's twelve."
Even when advised
by the kind young lady at the counter that there was little hope that the senior would be adopted, the man handed over the
surrender fee, shook his head and quickly left.
We noticed that he avoided eye contact with either us or
the dog and never even reached down to pat the old dog's head when he departed. That all-too familiar lump appeared
in our throat when the old dog turned his head to watch the man leave and tried to get to his feet and follow.
For
a few moments there was silence while the old dog struggled and we all glanced at each other in recognition of a scenario
played out thousands of times daily in shelters across this country.
And then we did what any good Rescue
does. We retrieved our canine body sling and helped the dignified old dog to his feet and signed the papers to take
him with us.
Because every living creature deserves the dignity of passing
peacefully amongst friends, we decided that Kody would walk on some grass, see a sunset and smell some flowers and trees before
he made his journey to Rainbow Bridge.
Guess who has become an honorary Husky since, folks?
And guess who walks proudly and steadily alongside
a Sibe companion on his daily walks?
Who
says that you can't put new bounce in an old dog's step?
