A LESSON IN LOVE As I walk into the kennel area of the Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter where I volunteer, I turn to my right where the new strays are housed. It is almost closing time and the lights have been dimmed in an effort to relieve the anxieties of the many dogs that recently arrived. My eyes dart back and forth in search of a new arrival in need of human contact. I immediately focus on a beautiful brindle colored boxer-pit curled up in a fetal-like position in the far corner of her run. I notice her not because she barks or growls. It is because she doesnt. Her entire body shivers like a jack-hammer in motion. She is obviously traumatized by her new environment and seeks refuge against the runs gray cinder block wall. I first try to comfort her with the soft tone of my voice only to notice her tightening her husky body more into a ball-like figure. She is obviously incapacitated by fear. Fear of the howls of dozens of dogs that echo through the shelter. Fear of what will happen next. Fear of the unknown. Before entering her run, I continue to speak softly in an attempt to comfort her. At first, she gives me a positive response by turning her head and making brief eye contact while wagging her tail very slightly. But she then turns her head away and faces the back wall seeming to think that if she cant see me, I cant see her. I slowly and carefully enter her 3 by 6 run while again using my soft voice to sooth her. As I sit next to her, I cautiously extend my right hand and begin rubbing her neck and chin to let her know that she is safe. Although it takes 15 minutes or so, she begins lifting her head and looks affectionately at me with large brown eyes that reveal a gentle spirit. After assuring myself that she is safe to walk out of the kennel, I slowly place a leash around her neck but she quickly cowers back into a ball-like shape. I realize that it is much too soon to take such liberties. For the next 30 minutes, I sit quietly in the darkness of the run and give her a soft belly rub. It will take a little more time to get her confidence. But I am certain that it will happen. Within 3 days, I return to the shelter and immediately visit my new friend. She has not yet been given a name. As before, she curls up into a tight ball and looks toward the wall and begins to shiver. But this time, I have come with treats and while rubbing her under the chin, begin offering her a Milk Bone. She sniffs the treat but then looks away. After several trials however, she finally accepts my offering and begins making direct eye contact. I realize that I am making marginal progress. After 20 minutes or so, I once again try to place a leash around her neck in an attempt to lead her from the run to the doggie yard outside the shelter. She is initially non-responsive but then begins crawling on her tummy as she leaves the kennel. After crawling about 30 feet while hugging the cold concrete floor, she suddenly refuses to continue and becomes 40 pounds of dead weight. In an effort to counter the standoff, I lift her over my shoulder and bodily carry her into the doggie yard. After removing the leash, she slowly and cautiously begins to sniff her new surroundings. While she remains apprehensive, it is apparent that she is capable of being socialized in a way that will make her more adoptable. For the next hour, I let her explore the yard in a way that dogs do. As the sun goes down, I reward her with additional treats while assuring her that she is loved. Placing the leash around her neck in an effort to return her to the kennel, she again cowers into a tight ball. As before, I lift her over my shoulder and walk back to where she is housed. While placing her back into the run, she suddenly licks me on the side of my face and begins hugging my neck. She coveys that she not only needs to be loved, but can also love in return. It is gratifying to see such progress in only 2 visits. I look forward to the next. On my third trip to the shelter to visit my little friend, I find her to be more receptive to my presence. She actually comes to the front of her kennel in an effort to greet me. I seize the moment and quickly open the gate, placing my right hand under her chin while attaching a leash to her collar. Unlike my last 2 visits, she slowly walks out her run on all four legs. She cautiously looks to the right and left but willingly follows me to the shelters main lobby. And then it happens. A man and a woman who enter with 2 young boys are immediately greeted by my new found love. She begins to run around in circles while vigorously wagging her tail in an attempt to get the attention of the family. Before I can even respond, she embraces and kisses the boys as if they have known each other forever. It is difficult to believe that in only 3 sessions with this beautiful animal, that she has evolved from a frightened stray who initially shunned human contact into one who now seeks the love and affection of a family. The 2 boys suggest that we give her the name Lovey. Although they do not adopt her on that day, they did give her an identity and brought out a disposition in Lovey that will certainly enable the shelter workers to find her a forever home. ________________________ If you or anyone you know would like to adopt Lovey or any of the other available dogs or animals living at the Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter, please visit the shelter at 1 Humane Way in Harahan from Monday through Saturday. For more information, you may also call us at 736-6111. You may also contact Michael Groetsch, the author of this story at mjgroetsch@hotmail
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 18:39:28 +0000