Faces

Woke up with clear vivid images from last night's dream.

Faces.

Eyes.

Smiles, shining through their eyes, beaming through their faces.

The same dogs that I've met only for a few weeks.

The same faces that I've been seeing only for the last few weeks.

Yet, the eyes, the messages shining through those eyes, are so different now.

Yes, some will always remain shy or skittish, but all of them have been changing, to different degrees, no matter how small.

For some, different degrees of trust, confidence, joy and content.

And others, a spark of longing, inquiring, progressing interest.

Even the weakest, most timid dog, is starting to get this little trickle of courage in him. Making half-hearted "woofs" instead of crouching at the corner of his cage, burrowing his head into the floor. Finally acknowledging that he does exist, that he's not invisible, and that he, too, has a right to live and breathe.

I have to admit, that at one point, it felt quite disheartening for me to even think about going into LFS Kennels. It was just too sad and hopeless to me, as there seemed to be no way out for these dogs except to live out the rest of their lives in those pig pens. Kelly, the owner of the shelter, is totally up to her neck with the daily up-keep of the shelter, both physically, mentally, and financially. There's simply no time nor resources for her to host any adoption event of any sort. Her shelter has no name, no mailing address, and no internet presence. Not very many knew of her, nor her dogs.

It all just seemed so sad, so.... dead-ended.

But then, this last visit has given me a lot of clarity. Allowing me to see what I've been seeing all along, but were unable to see for real.

The changes in their faces.

Changes in their eyes.

Changes in their expressions.

All telling me that what we have been doing were not in vain. Not dead-ended.

We have touched the hearts of these dogs, these poor souls, and have taught them that yes, there is hope, there is joy, and there is more than the walls of these pig pens.

Teaching them calm, confident leadership through the leashes.

In turn, teaching them to be calm and confident themselves, so one day, if the time comes, that they could walk calmly and trustingly on a leash, into their new home, into their new life.

And yes, it's not a dead end after all. Other dog shelters may come from time to time, and those "Happytails" as I call them, will have a way better chance of getting chosen, so they would then be given the exposure needed to find a new home.

There's always two "faces" of a coin, after all.

-AM

Pretending to be eating to avoid eye contact, scared shitless..

Same dog, different mind-shift. Timid, yes, but curious and daring enough to look around...and look at that fluffy coat!