She is
a beautiful woman with a soul both strong and tender. The pup catches her eye and, in their silent
exchange, even a casual observer can see that theirs is a relationship of trust
and gentle love. As we walk along the
forested trails, she tells us of her journey.
At a
low point in her life, she met a man facing similar challenges. Sharing a common goal of sobriety, they
offered support to one another and soon became close friends. He was kind, attentive, and made her
laugh. The relationship blossomed into
romance, they became engaged, and began to build a life together. It felt almost as if she were living inside a
fairy tale with her handsome Prince Charming, but not every story ends with
“they lived happily ever after.”
His
interest in conversation waned; it seemed as if he no longer cared to share the
details of his day, and became agitated when she spoke of hers. His tone moved from kind to cruel, he became
suspicious and controlling, going so far as to tell her whom she could speak
with at their shared place of employment.
At first, she tried to comply and be supportive, hoping that they could navigate
this rough patch together, but it seemed that her efforts only made matters
worse. The abuse escalated from
emotional to physical and was visited not only on her, but on the pup they had
adopted, as well. In the end, it may
have been his violence toward the pup that propelled her to action – maybe she
could “handle it”, but she couldn’t tolerate witnessing fear in those innocent
brown eyes.
Waiting
for him to leave for work, she began to formulate a plan to enter the women’s
shelter near their home. She gathered
her most critical belongings and took the first step, only to be halted when
there was nowhere safe to leave her four-legged friend. As the staff of the Women’s Help Center, Inc.
discussed the dilemma, one of them called the Ethel Fund for advice. A remarkable network of volunteers pulled
together and began what she likens to an underground railroad.
Later
that evening, she and a dear friend found themselves in a convenience store
parking lot, close to tears and afraid as they waited to meet a total stranger
who would take her companion until pet-friendly housing could be found. The young couple that greeted them quickly
set her mind at ease. The husband was
gentle and kind; the wife compassionate, with a sense of cheerfulness that
allowed her to relax just enough to bear the painful parting. To ensure the safety of both canine and
humans, the pup was then taken to an undisclosed location to be fostered by yet
another pet-loving volunteer.
The
separation was tough but the network kept in contact. In times of doubt, she’d remind herself of
the coordinator’s promise: “She’s in good hands. I would trust this woman with my own dogs,
and that’s the same as saying I’d trust her with my life.”
The day of their reunion was
emotional. She visited the foster’s home
and was greeted with such exuberance that the heartbreak of the ordeal was
nearly forgotten. The pup bounced about
her feet and dashed around the yard, as if to show the many wonderful things
she’d been doing: chasing ducks, swimming, herding goats, and stealing the
hearts of all she’d met.
They are safe now, out of reach of
their abuser. Their new home is a happy one,
their bond has grown, and she is a stronger woman. She tears up, as does the author, when she
speaks of how she could concentrate on rebuilding her life, knowing that her
beloved pet was safe and well cared for.
A note is passed that reads, “You helped a bad situation become a
success story. I hardly even know you
but I love you for that.”
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