Imagine, if you will, living your entire life in a dirty pen through summer, through winter, through fall, through spring. You have little knowledge of the human race other than sometimes; they might throw over a bite of food for you, but most of the time, they don't bother. After years of living your hell, your angels have appeared only you do not know who these angels are. You are snared and placed into a crate ending up at a strange place where they poke you with needles, stick a probe up your butt, take your blood, remove your testicles and give you funny pills that upset your stomach. You are then picked up by a transport van and driven to your new unfamiliar temporary home where excited humans who seem like aliens greet you with love and compassion. Life seems to be getting better, but you have no clue what love and compassion feels like, so you are terrified and withdrawn.
This is where the story of your new life at the Dogs Deserve Better Good Newz Rehab Center in Smithfield, VA begins. You often see dogs when they are healed and ready for adoption. Rarely do you get a glimpse of what happens behind the scenes to get them to that point. Lucky for us, this person decided to share a very special moment with one of the newest residents, Bernard. She was forewarned by staff that the day was going to be met with great challenges.
Upon arrival, she met Bernard who was cowering and seemingly not interested in coming out to discover the new world where he now will call home. Instead of dragging him out of the kennel where he felt safe, they decided to remove the top so that she could have access. He immediately jumped out and hid behind another crate. She slowly inched over and touched him.
Eventually, he made his way back into the bottom of the crate. This is where she spent the next 45 minutes. She decided to turn the camera on so that you all could witness the beginning stage of his recovery process. Her only goal for the day was to let him know that human touch was safe. She was honored and humbled when he moved toward her hand at the end. Baby steps....
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