Free A New Leash on Life by Suzie Carr Page A

with a dash of pumpkin and cuddle up with them on the couch and watch American Idol. I wanted to dress them up in cute clothes and take them on long runs through the park. I wanted to spend time sitting on a park bench, reading a book, and glancing up from time to time to catch them smiling and wagging their tails as they scoped out squirrels hoarding acorns.
    Unfortunately my dreams for this happy-go-lucky life never panned out quite like I’d wished. I could only sit with them for minutes at a time, clip their nails, bathe them in soothing warm water, feed them beef and chicken cookies, and comfy up their kennels with blankets, bed pillows, and fun toys. I fostered several cats, but I couldn’t foster the dogs as easily because of my crazy schedule. I spent more time at the shelter than I did at my apartment.
    Natalie, equally as sensitive to shelter life as I was, would spend hours cuddled up in kennels, petting, nurturing and talking with the dogs. She’d move in to the shelter if I let her.
    That afternoon, Natalie choked back tears when I looked in on her and our newest arrival. “He won’t let me put a leash around him. He needs to pee. It’s been hours. He won’t pee in his kennel.”
    I stood beside Natalie in front of the scared dog’s kennel. He avoided us from the back of it, whimpering. I’d seen this too many times before to understand only a good dose of respect and love would work to gain his trust.
    I showed him a cookie and he sniffed the air, refusing to meet my eye.
    I waited.
    After ten minutes, I knelt down beside his kennel, bowing my head, sending him love and energy the way Melanie had taught me to do. Natalie took a seat on a stool several feet away, out of his sight.
    Every few minutes, he crept a little closer to me. I imagined us sitting together on a grassy hill overlooking a clean, fresh lake. My arm draped around his neck, his mouth opened slightly to enjoy the cool breeze. I’d hug him and he’d lean into my safety and love. Stoic and strong he’d relax as we watched birds fly overhead and listen to cicadas chirp a lovely song.
    I imagined all of this with my head bowed. I didn’t look at him. I simply sat still, breathing, meditating, and sending vibes of safety and love to him. Close to fifteen minutes later, he crept over to me, slowly, steadily, his head bowed, his tail tucked between his legs, a whimper here and there.
    I inched my eyes up to meet him. “Come on, boy. It’s okay. You’re safe here.”
    He stretched his neck as far as it would allow and sniffed the cookie. He froze, staring at the cookie, no doubt contemplating his craving.
    “Here,” I placed the cookie down in front of me. “Come get it.”
    He stared at it. Drool fell to the cement. His head hung to the same level as his belly, low, barely half a foot from the floor. I scooted backwards, allowing him the freedom to get his prize. He sauntered a few more feet and when close enough, he snatched it up into his hungry mouth. He dared to look up at me once he swallowed. He sniffed some more. I offered another cookie. “Come on. You know you want it.” He inched towards me. Finally, as gentle as a summer breeze, he opened his mouth just wide enough to snag the cookie from my fingers. “That a boy.”
    I savored the tender moment.
    He circled in closer and smelled my hand, snuggling up to the scent left behind by the cookies. I stroked his neck and he licked my hand. I rose to my feet and he didn’t budge. I dropped another cookie to his left, just far enough away so I wouldn’t frighten him when I stepped inside his domain. He gobbled the cookie and watched me step inside. I offered one more treat in the palm of my hand, and when he licked it from my open palm, I looped the leash around his neck and petted him. He allowed me to pet him without whimpering. I looked over at Natalie. She wiped a trail of tears from her cheeks. “You’re amazing.”
    I accepted the compliment with a smile and led him out