A rare trust
Mama was a street dog in Mexico, caring for her newborn puppies. When she entered someone’s property looking for food to feed her young family, it angered the homeowner, and he retaliated by cutting off her paw with a machete and pouring scalding hot oil on her.
A man who lived on the streets heard her cry out. He literally gave her the shirt off his back, using it as a makeshift tourniquet to stop the bleeding.
Mama soaked up love from a trusted shelter caregiver.
The story gets fuzzy here, but somehow, Mama and her daughter found their way to a woman who was running a small shelter. The woman took them in and cared for them. Mama’s paw was completely gone, but she got around on her remaining paws and the stump of her fourth leg.
Several years later, I began work to help the woman with her shelter. Mama and her daughter Hija were still living there. Though the woman who ran the shelter and key staff members had earned the dogs’ trust, when anyone else visited, they kept their distance, fearful.
I gave Mama and Hija space when I visited, not wanting to scare them. But they quickly became my favorite dogs at the shelter. I could sense how special both dogs were. Despite what they’d been through, they were gentle souls.
On my occasional visits to the shelter, I’d pack special treats for Mama and Hija. The staff whom Mama and Hija were comfortable with would give them to the pair. A year or two later, the woman who ran the shelter suggested I sit down near Mama, a step she wouldn’t have been comfortable with before.
I joined Mama in her area of the shelter. Instead of scurrying away, she stayed calmly in her spot. I gave her my offering – special treats I’d chosen just for her. And then… she took a treat from my hand. I was amazed she felt comfortable enough with me to relax and eat her snack.
It was a while before I was able to return, maybe a year or more. During that time, Mama and Hija had moved to a new area of the shelter that had indoor-outdoor access. Mama was getting a little older, and staff wanted to make sure she was comfortable on hot days. The new digs meant they were in an area of the shelter where more people came and went, but Mama and Hija were ready for it. It helped them get more comfortable with people.
When I visited again, my friend at the shelter told me she thought Mama might be now be comfortable with me petting her. She joined me in the kennel to help reassure Mama that she was safe. I waited patiently, and offered her a treat.
And then, Mama gave me a moment I will never forget. She gently smiled at me, and allowed me to extend my hand. Slowly, I reached out, and when she didn’t cower, I began to pet her. She stayed relaxed, her eyes soft, and we enjoyed a special moment together. For Mama, it was a milestone, and the gaining of another friend. For me, it was unforgettable – the gift of Mama’s trust.