It all started in March 2011 with two dirty, scared, skinny blockheads. Those
dogs literally changed my life. I had no idea at the time how much. They were
the epitome of everything you don't want as a dog owner: aggressive,
suspicious, and unhealthy. They were running loose on our property and just
happened to be in the mood to see if I had food. The closest thing I could find
to grab before they bolted was cat food. They gobbled that up and surprisingly stood and
waited for more. I nervously sat down in front of them as close as possible and gave them
all I had. We all three stared at each other for a long time. I got up slowly and walked in
the gate to my backyard. They followed. I went inside and made them a huge meal. I
wasn't sure they would still be there when I came back outside, but they were. That night
I made them beds by the back door and thought surely they would be gone by morning.
My back fence is only waist high and they could easily jump over if they wanted.
I went to bed that night so nervous. What the hell was I doing? I knew nothing about
rescue dogs. I knew nothing about pitbulls but what I had seen on the news and all the
horrible things people told me. I had a three year old, was I putting him in danger? I
secretly hoped they'd be gone by morning and I wouldn't even have to worry about it.
Those boys stayed with me for 9 very long months. Most of that year I was pregnant with
my daughter. There were tears, happy and sad. There were days I wanted to give up. There
were weeks that I was really mad at myself for what I had gotten into. There were fights
with my family. There was serious judgement from friends, neighbors, strangers. I made a
lot of mistakes. But the one thing that was there every single day was hope. Each tiny milestone
was hope for more. Every grueling day that passed there was a glimmer of hope for an easier tomorrow.
Those boys made a transformation. It was so hard on all of us, but I would do it again without
question. Them getting a second chance was so worth every tear. They taught me you don't have to
know it all, you don't have to be an expert, you just have to show up every time and actually give a damn.
With the help of Rocket Dog Rescue in SF, they were both adopted.
コメント