Do you believe every cute puppy and kitten in a store hopes to go home with every passer-by? I do.
I believe they desire a real home and to be loved. For ones suffering neglect, abandonment, or abuse, the desire is probably stronger.
After moving out to the country, my husband and daughter wanted a bigger dog for protection. For some reason, they didn’t believe our little half-blind Papillon would ward off unwelcome strangers. They preferred boxers – I preferred potty-trained. The Pittsburg Humane Society had a no-kill rule so we looked there first.
We were in luck. They had a two and a half-year-old boxer/heeler mix that protected the new little dogs kept in her kennel. Polly was one of a litter of six brought to the shelter. One by one, her siblings found homes, leaving her all alone there, to live her entire life.
Now, that’s hanging on to hope.
Proud of rescuing Polly, my 17-year-old daughter introduced her to her roomie, LolaMae and her new home. Hope quickly turned to despair when she let the little dog outside to potty. Frightful, Polly bolted out the door with one giant leap and ran as fast as lightning with her leash blowing in the wind.
No Protection After Rescuing Her
Horrified, I’m not sure which one of us felt the most hopeless. Without sight to help with the rescue, I prayed. Hugs didn’t provide much comfort and none of us slept well that night.
As the next day drew on, our hope dwindled, until she was spotted in a nearby treeline with her leash bitten in half. At least she had survived through the night. Hunger hopefully would bring her back since she was this close. When seen, we attempted to lure her in the car with food but failed.
At least she had survived through the night. Hunger hopefully would bring her back since she was this close.
It did but took a long, grueling four days of unsuccessful attempts to capture this frightful dog who didn’t know us. My husband saw Polly come near our deck. Fear and hunger in her eyes, he was able to coax her inch by inch and bite by bite until inside.
Living in a kennel so long affected her greatly. Scaredy-cat could easily have been her name. Every sound frightened her: ice-makers, clocks, microwaves, washers, fans, televisions, and quick movement.
Constantly leaning against me the first two weeks, Polly almost knocked me over many times. I almost tripped while turning, too. The direction of the feet meant nothing. It took two weeks for her first bark.
Slowly, but surely, some personality developed. Always afraid of sudden movement, it took two years for her to jump in our lap, or next to us, but surprisingly, she was good with little kids.
Love, safety and protection.
Polly was put to sleep in October after fighting a long battle with bone cancer. Her trust grew, but her fear never dissipated completely. Rescuing her reminded me of ministering (or rescuing others) to people. Everyone has a story and needs someone to help shape it, the way we do pets. Animals need love and protection, and to feel safe. If they do, how much more do humans deserve to feel this? I’m so glad Polly taught me how humans behave.
Children raised in foster care, not only deal with abandonment issues like Polly, but lack skills normally learned in a family. Similarly, are those raised by parents suffering with substance abuse issues also. Don’t fool yourself, though. Hidden scars and fears lie within every person, regardless of race, religion, sex, economic status, intellect, popularity, or even talent.
Like Polly, each one needs to be loved, made to feel safe, and protected long enough to grow.
What ways can you give hope and show love to the broken-hearted?
How has someone calmed your fears?
© 2020, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.
I give hope by helping my dad with memory loss. I am by his side. A few family members have also helped with animal rescue= adopting a pet 🙂
I always admire people that take in dogs from shelters. I, like many I am sure, am afraid that those dogs would come with some sort of ‘baggage’ that I don’t know how to cure. Your love and patience shows how good you are and how big your heart is. You are a wonderful person.. that needs to be said.
Dear Margarita, God gave me the big heart and showed me what to do.
My husband has been there for me, helping calm my fears, but also being strong when I could not be.
Hi April, Praise God for your husband. Someone who has the ability to calm others allows the fearful person to blossom. Im sure you have a lot to share with the world. Blessings.
anytime there’s a dog (or two) involved….. 😀
As a caregiver it is so important to slow down and show my mom that she is loved and secure and I assume it would also be the same with animals. We don’t have pets right now, but are getting ready to get our own shelter dog soon.
Love your name, Rena. It’s the same as my mother’s. I’m used to dealing with people; not animals so I applied the saem strategy. I bet you’ll do fine when you rescue your dog. Blessings.
You sure got the attention of this dog lover, boxer-partial person with your story of Polly. It’s amazing what love and care will do to even the most hurt animal or person. Thank you for sharing the stories you did. You touched my heart and inspired me by what you and your family do.
Real love is amazing. It transforms lives! I’m glad you found this story inspiring, Corinne. That’s my desire. Hope you come back again in the future.
If each one of us showed care and compassion to those we hurriedly walk by, the world would be a better place.
You are so right, Teresa. That is what we try to foster in our Word in Action Ministry.
Dogs are the absolute best, and they can teach us so much!! Thanks for sharing!
Animals are just one of the things God gave us to learn from. Raising kids taught me a lot about myself. LOL.
I love rescue pets, we have 3 furbabies in our house, 2 are rescued. I love to tell the stories of how they came into our lives, both were rescued shortly before their last days on earth. I like knowing I’ve given them hope, love, and a home. They reward me each day with attention, kisses, and affection.
It reminds me daily of how others in this world need our love, hope, and attention.
Thank you for sharing your story!
Hi Katie. Rescue animals are great reminders each day of people who need similar love and attention. Thanks for your comment. Keep enjoying your rescue animals and telling their stories.
This is such a nice story and very uplifting. I love to see animals rescued. My family once volunteered at our local animal shelter. I felt so badly for the animals there. I wanted to bring them all home. They looked so lonely. It’s wonderful seeing a story of a sweet dog being rescued!
Renee, I’m glad the story uplifted you. That’s my goal. That, and to challenge people to realize loving people is just as rewarding, and takes a long time as well.
Wow! It is so true; nothing is impossible if you care. I was so reminded of the fact that if we keep in mind that everyone has their story and reason for behaving or acting in a certain way, with care and patience, we can make a huge difference. Thank you for rescuing Polly
Hello Brian. I’m glad you understood my point. Everyone DOES have a story…and, YOU can MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Hope you try. God be with you.
I have a HUGE place in my heart for animals and have always said if I had the space, I would foster shelter dogs so they get love and the attention of family while awaiting their forever homes. i am greatful that shelters offer them protection and food, but the contact and interaction with loving people is what helps heal their souls!
Loving interaction is the key, Maureen.
I prefer potty trained too…lol. It’s great that Polly is finally coming out of her shell. We took in our SIL’s dog after she couldn’t take care of her anymore…such a sweet dog. As far as people go, I think just letting them know that you are there to help can give a lot of comfort.
Hello Erlene. That’s wonderful about you taking in another dog. I’ve had a tendency to take in more strays with people than with animals. LOL. Good luck.
Erlene, you’re right. But, speaking as a blind person, I prefer when an individual offers specific help at times. People can sense if you really care though. Thanks for stopping in.
What a sweet story. Your patience and kindness for Polly paid off! So wonderful to hear she is coming out of her shell!
Well, Nicole, I guess the patience I learned as a special educ. teacher helped me in our ministry…and with animals. Thanks for stopping by.
Yes, Nicole. I’m thankful I see new behaviors every day. All of them encouraging me to hang on with those people I’ve reached out to.
I laughed at loud at They preferred boxers – I preferred potty-trained. I work 14 hours a week at our local nursing home. While many of these precious elderly people have family to visit often, there are the few who do not; they are the ones my heart aches for. I love visiting with them and just showing them someone still cares for them. I pray I can be a blessing to them because they are truly a blessing to me.
Hi Lori. That’s awesome you have compassion for the elderly. It is much needed. I’m positive you’re a blessing to those folks. Please stop back by anytime.
Having 8 cats and 4 dogs in our family, I have seen a lot of different personalities. I am so glad that through Polly’s fear she was able to trust your husband enough to walk back through your door.
We have one cat that was born to us and she has such fear that I realize not always is this something that has happened to them, but can simply be who they are.
Yes, Riva Sue, I agree with you. Everyone kept telling us she appeared to be abused by men. But, I’m big into personalities and their affects so kept an open-mind.
HUGE animal fans here! We are always helping homeless animals find their forever families. Great post!
Thanks for stopping in Jeanie. Come by anytime, but you probably won’t be reading animal stories.
My sister has several rescue animals. She tells me all the time that they’ve helped her as much as she’s helped them!
Helping anyone or anything is rewarding. Thanks, Deanna, for reading my post.
The love you have for your rescued dog and the patience you have for gaining her trust is evident. Two years is a long time to wait for the reward of jumping in your lap. Hopefully, she will continue to grow more comfortable as time goes on.
Hi Shani. Maybe taking care of Polly requires patience, but less than with people yet no one likes to invest with people. I tried both.
This is so beautiful. I It’s true that many people are broken and they need love and nurturing. They need people that will have the patience to stick through the healing process with them. God loves us all and he wants us to be there for each other.
Thank you for your comment, Chicki. It appears most didn’t read the post all the way through and missed my point. Thanks for reading teh entire thing. Blessings.
What a blessing that you were able to get Polly back and that all this time later, she has learned to trust and love you. My heart breaks for unwanted pets and I know that if I could, I’d adopt them all.
Well, Sandy, Polly has gained much trust, but she’s still blossoming. She’s family now, though.
What a touching story! I’ve discovered how broken people can be. I am a vocational teacher at a male state correctional institution. No matter how tough these guys may be on the outside, when you finally break through you find that they have been broken. Along with teaching them a viable skills, I work with them daily to help them realize that they matter!!
God bless you, Georgia for your work. I love you heart of comassion. Please come visit my blog anytime.
This was a good reminder of how much time and patience is needed when you’ve invested in someone and not seen an immediate return on our goodwill. 2 years before she jumped into your lap–wow. Encouraging for me. Thank you!
I’m glad you found this story encouraging, Sheri. It’s a great reminder to myself as well.
I love your story! My family and I adopted a little dog 2 years ago. She had been badly injured when she was hit by a car. I had never owned a dog before in my life, so I had no idea what to do with her! She, like your dog, came with some bad habits from having been neglected for the first few years of her life, but after 2 years together, she’s coming along well, and we all love her very much!
Hi Wendy. I’m glad your rescue dog is coming along also. Maybe we should compare again in another year. LOL. Please come again.
I think always listening and just being there for people is a tremendous thing. More often than not, people just need a shoulder to cry on. Listening rather than waiting to talk goes a long way in helping the broken hearted..
Listening is impreative with the broken-hearted, and something very few do. It’s a rare skill. If you’re good at it, Alexandrea, maybe you should be blogging about something other than food. LOL.
I had a cat who was a very timid rescued stray. With lots of love and patience, he became quite a mama’s boy and lap cat. When he passed away a few years ago, I knew we’d given him a very good life and I was grateful for the time I had with him.
Nice story, Beth. It’s nice to know people can do the same thing if someone has much patience with them as you did with your cat. Meow.
What a blessing for all of you. For Polly a home and love to help her heal. For you and your family the lessons in patience and the gift of watching her bloom. All my pets have been rescues, some more scarred than others but all needing a home and some love. Don’t we all need a home and some love?
Nice to meet you Ann. I’m glad you rescue dogs. I must admit, it wasn’t our intention as we were looking for a guard dog, but..life happens. Animals aren’t my gifting – I prefer people, but a person has gotta do what a person has to do.
When we dig into other people’s stories, I think we end up finding that most people are broken in some way. Of course some have far more dramatic stories, and that’s not to make light of that. Reaching out and caring is important for everyone we meet, though, because not everyone with a dramatic and painful story *looks* damaged.
I’m glad your dog has a good home with you.
Oh, Marie, you’re so right. Damage lies underneath everyone at some level. Some might only be cracked instead of completely broken, while others have been busted and put back together with super glue several times. I was trying to raise awareness that like Polly, people do carry hurts and behaviors that coincide…all taking time and patience in a safe environment to blossom. Thanks for stoping by.
loving others – and then the doggies in the pictures 😀
Hi Andy. Thanks for stopping in. Love is the key to unlock wounds of any depth.
That’s exactly right, Rachel. You hit the nail on the head. Thanks for stopping by.
There is such value in being able to show love to those who aren’t shown any sort of real love at all. Christ loved us–that’s why we love others like it’s our job, because it is. There really isn’t another choice.
Praise God for a woman full of love for children. Glad you’re able to raise so many children needing the gift of life and love. That’s great you’re blogging about it as well. I always wanted to have a bunch of foster children but an eye disease prevented me from doing so. Instead, we’ve adopted hurt adults in various ways. God bless.