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...
"Blood Moon"

"Blood Moon"

Clare Rahner

An 8-Mile Swim In Lake Michigan

An 8-Mile Swim In Lake Michigan

Grotto

Saints in Your Corner If You Have Anxiety

Saints in Your Corner If You Have Anxiety

Sarah Coffey

Honoring the Life-Giving Mission of L'Arche

Honoring the Life-Giving Mission of L'Arche

Grotto Shares

Grotto’s Travel Guide to Kraków

Grotto’s Travel Guide to Kraków

Julia Weir

Why I Believe in “God Winks”

Why I Believe in “God Winks”

Mariah Cressy

The Small Voice Nudging Us From Within

The Small Voice Nudging Us From Within

Bethany Meola

How and Why Slow Living Makes You Happier

How and Why Slow Living Makes You Happier

Sophie Caldecott

What It Took to Find a Community in a New City

What It Took to Find a Community in a New City

Mary Cunningham

St. Faustina Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

St. Faustina Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

How Venerable Matt Talbot Turned His Life Around

How Venerable Matt Talbot Turned His Life Around

Molly Gettinger

What I Miss About Slow-Motion Communication

What I Miss About Slow-Motion Communication

Brett Robinson

St. Benedict Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

St. Benedict Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Voices of Synod 2018 | Christina DiSalvo

Voices of Synod 2018 | Christina DiSalvo

Grotto

From Grief to Embracing Life: A Story of Healing

From Grief to Embracing Life: A Story of Healing

Grotto

How a Little Bit of Faith Can Move Mountains of Worry

How a Little Bit of Faith Can Move Mountains of Worry

Jessie McCartney

How St. Oscar Romero Changed My Life

How St. Oscar Romero Changed My Life

Vanesa Zuleta Goldberg

St. Katharine Drexel Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

St. Katharine Drexel Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

How Microlending Has Changed Women's Lives in India

How Microlending Has Changed Women's Lives in India

Molly Gettinger

Why Thomas Merton's Example is Worth Your Attention

Why Thomas Merton's Example is Worth Your Attention

Gregory K. Hillis

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

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