Read

Watch

A Lesson in Loving Bravely From My Rescue Dog

Published:
January 8, 2024
February 20, 2021
Try not to cry when reading this rescue dog story about Emmy and her owner Molly.|Try not to cry when reading this rescue dog story about Emmy and her owner Molly.|Try not to cry when reading this rescue dog story about Emmy and her owner Molly.|Try not to cry when reading this rescue dog story about Emmy and her owner Molly.

This summer, I decided it was time to get a dog. My plan was to find a senior dog, potty-trained and low-maintenance. But then, scrolling through a site that's like Tinder for pets, I saw Emmy. Her eyes were sad and tender, and I knew she had to be my dog.

As a puppy, Emmy was tied up outside through winter rain and summer heat on a lead so tight she could not lie down. She slept standing up, her collar growing so tight it embedded an inch into her skin, eventually giving birth to her pups in that condition. Thankfully, a Good Samaritan called in a tip about a chained, underweight mama dog and she was rescued.

At first, her legs were so weak she couldn’t walk and her embedded collar had to be surgically removed, leaving her with a deep scar. A wonderful shelter took care of her, noting that she was a good mama to her pups and was not aggressive in the least — just a scared, gentle soul. Eventually, all her puppies were adopted and it was her turn to find out what a good doggie life could be.

When I met Emmy, she was defeated — terrified of the world. As soon as I carried her inside my house, she ran to a corner and would not leave it for a week. She flinched at every movement, every approach, every sound, and putting on a leash or taking her outside caused her to freeze and shake uncontrollably. That first week, I wondered what I had signed up for, if I did the right thing taking her home, if she would ever be happy.

We kept trying, though. I spoke softly to her, crouched to her level, deliberately showed her my hands, rubbed under her chin, and finally left chicken and bacon as peace offerings. When I gave her a new bone and chew toys, she looked askance — like, "Um, what is this thing doing in my space?" She had never had toys before. But her curiosity won out a few days later when she discovered the peanut butter filling inside!

I worked to slowly expose her to outside sounds, the leash, strangers, the patio. Finally, one day, she carefully placed one paw on my lap as if to say, "Here, I'm trying. I want to be close to you." Later, I made popcorn, and after sniffing the air intently, she stood up, walked over to me, and cocked her head staring: "Can I have some?" It was a turning point. She felt brave enough to risk getting close, and admit that she wanted something from me. The snuggles and love she was experiencing were foreign but nice.

Three months later, and Emmy has gone from no trust and cowering in a corner to asking for ear scratches and sleeping on my bed. She wakes up at 3 a.m. and wags her tail excitedly like, "It's morning! Time to play! Time to get up!" While I'm less than thrilled that it's 3 a.m., I'm so grateful that she's enjoying life.

Emmy is the gentlest dog I've ever known. She takes treats very carefully, licks my hand, and boops noses to say “hello.” When I was sick, she stayed in bed with me the whole time, resting her head on my arm. She still is afraid at times. Yet in spite of everything, Emmy wants to love and be loved. She is teaching me how to be brave by taking the risk to trust another.

Loving Emmy has reminded me of goodness and resilience — if a little black lab can heal, then surely I can grow and heal and become the person God longs for me to be. If she can trust me, surely I can trust the God who made me.

As I write this, Emmy is curled up next to me on the couch, head on a pillow, paws holding her bone. She lets me pet her silky soft ears. I tell her she's a good girl. And she gives a small wag.

Creators:
Molly C. Sheahan
Published:
January 8, 2024
February 20, 2021
On a related note...
“The Saint Who Became a Leper”

“The Saint Who Became a Leper”

Josh Noem

6 Simple Ways to Celebrate Earth Day

6 Simple Ways to Celebrate Earth Day

Megan Ulrich

"Blessing at Rinkers Creek"

"Blessing at Rinkers Creek"

Marty Moran

Healing from Pregnancy Loss as a Community

Healing from Pregnancy Loss as a Community

Grotto

How I Found Value in Suffering

How I Found Value in Suffering

Mary Forr

How Meghan Markle's Interview Shed Light on Mental Health

How Meghan Markle's Interview Shed Light on Mental Health

Stephanie DePrez

The Small Art Stuck in this War

The Small Art Stuck in this War

Javi Zubizarreta

Special Olympics Track & Field Event Gives Everyone a Chance to Compete

Special Olympics Track & Field Event Gives Everyone a Chance to Compete

Grotto

Free Download: Prevent Stress from Running Your Life

Free Download: Prevent Stress from Running Your Life

Grotto

How Anyone Can (& Should) Care for the Homeless

How Anyone Can (& Should) Care for the Homeless

Gabriella Patti

Brewery Limits Food Waste through Farm Partnership

Brewery Limits Food Waste through Farm Partnership

Grotto

This School Gives Inner-City Students Corporate Training

This School Gives Inner-City Students Corporate Training

Grotto

Meatless Friday Recipe: Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles

Meatless Friday Recipe: Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles

Grotto

What Does Success (Really) Mean to You?

What Does Success (Really) Mean to You?

Sophie Caldecott

3 Methods for Dealing with Stress at Work

3 Methods for Dealing with Stress at Work

Tamara Stacey

Meet Peter Maurin, the Labor Activist Who Started a Revolution

Meet Peter Maurin, the Labor Activist Who Started a Revolution

James Murphy|Renée Roden

Living in an Intentional Community to Serve Others

Living in an Intentional Community to Serve Others

Grotto

How I’ve Come to Like Praying Without My Own Words

How I’ve Come to Like Praying Without My Own Words

Molly Cruitt

Why We Need to Prioritize Leisure Time

Why We Need to Prioritize Leisure Time

Krista Steele

Choir Raises Money for Cancer Patients in Kenya

Choir Raises Money for Cancer Patients in Kenya

Grotto

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.