Holding Layla, wrapped like a baby, upon my shoulder, listening to her cough, feeling her warmth, knowing she’s nuzzling into my neck, and I’m a new mom. I guess this is what it feels like, not having any kids of my own, but holding this little pup in my arms, I’m her mom today.
It’s an amazing journey she’s already been on, but an even more astounding one upon which she’s about to embark. Born, we don’t know where, cared for or loved, we aren’t sure. She came to the shelter picked up by ACO. She was matted head to toe, had no teeth, and not able to walk well because of the burrs sinking into her paws and pads with every step. She was, in short, a mess.
In the 8 days she was in the shelter, she sat 5 alone in the kennel with only food and water offered since volunteers are not allowed to walk dogs for the first 5 days because their ‘owners’ might come back for them. It’s a ‘liability-thing.’ Without teeth, she was offered hard food which had been soaked in warm water until mushy, and that was the best we could give. Noting she wasn’t eating, we tried a few soft foods, but she seemed disinterested. I don’t know if she ate anything in those first 5 days.
Emancipation date, and we took her from the kennel for the firs time, injected her with anesthesia, and shaved her body clean. Wrapped in towels she woke in my lap, someone she only met today, and someone who delivered her to a quick shot in the rear end. Cold, nearly naked, and in a new room I can only imagine how that must feel for someone so small. She’s 8lbs against the world, and the world has the upper hand.
Bringing her home to foster, she knows the world finally gave her a break. Meeting the 80lb Lab in this temporary home must have been daunting, but something she could learn to live with. Eating food, drinking water, being warm, safe and dry, and she’s 180 degrees from whence she came. Last night she slept in the king size bed, surrounded by a lab, and my arm, that loved the feeling of her lungs lifting, lowering, and that tiny heartbeat in my hand.
Today, she’s spry, perky, but still feeble from her experiences and still naked with cotton ball hair whisping from her back and tail. I wonder if she thinks this is ‘home’ forever, as she likes laying on Denali’s bed (my lab), sitting in my lap, and is already growing into a place in this family. It’s not her forever home, but another stop on this journey.
Tomorrow, at 8:45 am, I’ll hand her to another kind stranger who will start Layla’s next chapter. Traveling with a car load of other dogs, she’ll begin her ‘transport’ to the rescue who will care for her going forward, until that forever home really comes. From Kansas City to Bethany Missouri (90 miles), then from Bethany to Ames Iowa (114 miles), then Ames to Owatonna Minnesota (135 miles), then Owatonna to Brooklyn Center (75 miles), and on she will go to Milwaukee where her rescue awaits. Nearly each leg of the trip is driven by a separate volunteer, each taking their time, their gas, and their wards to new homes, rescues, and hopes for a forever future of love and kindness.
If Layla could write a book, this would be a harrowing journey from rags to riches – canine-style. She could journal to explain her desperation, destitution, and ultimate salvation at the hands of strangers who loved her, and will always have her in their hearts. We’ve come together in such an amazing ‘social network’ to save these dogs, give them a chance for the life they were born for, but also for ourselves. We’re saving ourselves every step of Layla’s journey, we’re becoming more whole than we knew we could be. Thanks to Layla for saving us.
If you’re interested in volunteering at Halfway Home Pet Adoptions, helping with foster dogs, giving time to transport dogs to a better world, if you want to join this ‘social network’ – we’d love to ‘Friend’ you.
No comments:
Post a Comment