It cut to the very heart of their humanity and brought forth a desire to help in any way possible and yet, what can one do in such a place?
It was amidst these thoughts that Vanessa observed a small and very frightened Terrier pup keeping pace with the team. The lonely canine kept its distance yet, continued to follow about 100 feet behind them. It moved as the team moved, watching, perhaps hoping for a sign of friendship.
The minute lunch came Vanessa answered her unspoken plea, she traveled back to where the pup was holding out. Kneeling on the ground she offered bits of sandwich, each time moving the bits closer and closer; her gifts were generously accepted but, the pup kept its distance with her tail far between her legs. The pup approached each sandwich bit with great hesitation, hastily grabbed it and ran to bury it around her territory. She’d learned how to ration even though she was extremely hungry. As Vanessa slowly moved the food closer to her she got a better look at the pup; she was a Beagle/Terrier mix with an angelic face. She was thin and war torn from being on her own for over two months. Upon her arrival in Louisiana, Vanessa heard warnings of rabid dogs roving in packs but, she observed nothing of the kind in this sweet soul – just another innocent life turned upside down by the wrath of Katrina.
Vanessa is an avid dog lover who understands their nature very well, she knew the pup wanted contact but, was paralyzed by fear at the same time. A limit was soon reached where the pup refused to come any closer to Vanessa. With all of her heart Vanessa wanted to comfort the pup – to touch or pet her, but how could she convince the pup that it was safe? Inspiration from past pet relationships struck as Vanessa moved the food closer to her, turned her back toward the pup and then pretended to cry. In seconds the pup had overridden its terror and rushed to her side in an act of selfless service. Vanessa slowly looked up and gently stroked the pup who responded immediately to her loving touch. The small dog’s body visibly softened as she remembered how healing human contact could be, she accepted the food, ran to bury it but, came right back up close. A bond of trust had been formed.
Vanessa was now committed to rescue this lost companion and she began hatching a plan to get her home safely. Fortunately, her partner on the team is also a “dog person”; through collaboration and persistence they managed to get the pup into their van and back to the shelter near the National Guard camp where Vanessa was lodged. Throughout the ride back to camp the pup was shaking and panting with fear but, once she saw people and other dogs at the shelter, she wagged her tail and looked genuinely hopeful.
Shelter volunteers cared for the pup, whom Vanessa named Annabelle, during the hours that she worked, but, she returned at every opportunity to check in and comfort her. Their bond was strengthening with each visit and soon it was time to fly her home. They made the journey together and arrived safely back in Seattle.
Upon returning to Seattle, the Vet discovered that Annabelle had advanced heartworms requiring immediate treatment. She underwent a risky and challenging procedure but, her will to survive was strong, she pulled through just fine and is now living a wonderful, healthy life with Vanessa and her family, including Preston, her other dog. Many thanks to Vanessa for rising to the challenge and opening her home and heart to beautiful, Annabelle!
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