She loves me, she loves me not.

Do you believe dogs have the ability to love?  I mean in the true sense of the word…gut wrenching, butterflies, can’t-live-without-you LOVE.   If they do, do you think their hearts break when those who they thought loved them hurt them, abandon them, abuse them, neglect them?  Do you think they cry inside and wonder what they did to deserve this?  Do you think their love for us is unconditional?  Do you believe they can forgive, erase the past and fall in love all over again?  I’m guessing most who are reading this are saying yes, yes, yes and sometimes.

Having worked with hundreds of rescue dogs, I can honestly attest that I have witnessed these emotions from one end of the spectrum to the other.  I know dogs live emotional lives just like we do.   I’ve seen them tremble with fear and uncertainty.  I’ve seen them stare down at the ground in shame.  I’ve seen them limp, drool, refuse to eat, whimper, hide under beds and collapse from emotional drain.  Even so, how do these creatures find it in their hearts to come with us…to believe us when we tell them we will never let them hurt again?   Yes, most do find it in their hearts to trust and love again within varying time frames.  Perhaps humans should pay more attention to our canine friends’ more evolved ability to do this!  There is no greater pain than to look into a dog’s eyes and see the damage that their last loved one bestowed on them…their physical being and their soul.  And yet, one of the most rewarding and beautiful parts of rescue is getting to see the light return from just the simplest gestures of gentle and kindness in its purest form.  A soft word.  An outstretched hand with no pressure to respond.  A soft, warm bed.  Full bowl. That special connection that happens without words, from just peering into each other’s eyes and knowing all is right again….it’s real, it’s honest, and it’s our mission.   I pity cynics who claim dogs do not have the ability to feel emotion for they have not experienced it.   This photo is “Corky” after he fell in love again. 

Are you ready to fall in love?