“Trust is always earned,
It is never just given.”
R. Williams
The vet contacted us yesterday
It was time to pick up Shadow
We had not yet found him a foster
And, he needed somewhere to go
My fellow rescuers looked at me
My wife gave me her usual scowl
But I soon decided to work with him
Shadow has to learn to trust, somehow
He has been on his own, his entire life
He has not experienced, a gentle touch
He has crouched in fear, out in the dark
Never knowing love, he has missed much
And today, here he sits, in my yard
In a kennel, now peering back at me
I know he realizes I was chasing him
Thinking ‘A few days ago, I was free’
It took time to gain the trust of his brethren
Like Little Jack, Trucker, Lupita, and Carrie
I know it will take even longer, with Shadow
He was thrown out by a human, while a puppy
I slowly crawl inside his kennel, and he backs away
I make no sudden moves, and sit down in the grass
He is on alert now, close contact makes him nervous
He watches me very carefully, his heart is beating fast
And now, here we are, staring at each other
I soon open my hand, and I offer him a treat
He has to think about it, for quite a long time
Then, he very timidly takes it, and now he eats
I will be spending a lot of time with him now
Trying to persuade him, we are not all mean
The birds are singing, the sun is shining down
Perhaps, a new beginning, for Shadow and Me
©May 2012, Mr. Ed
If you would like to help a rescued pet,
Think about becoming a foster parent;
Many dogs are in need of a new friend,
Contact a Rescue Group to assist them.
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