
They call me a Rescue Dog but I am really just a dog, a descendent of the mighty wolves of long ago. I actually remember bits and pieces of that ancient time when we depended upon our wolf families to survive. This leftover is a dog who still thinks the family/pack is everything.
I remember my ancient mother licking my face to tell me I was safe and cared for. And I remember roughhouse playing with my siblings as practice for real hunting and fighting. But mostly I remember the “now times” and my first, second and third human families.
My name is Elsa.
I am a little rescue dog with big wolf ideas.
In this life I have some bad memories.
My first human family did not really want puppies so they gave me to a kennel where I lived in a cage. Then a mean couple finally adopted me. I had a home but it was not a happy place because the man hit the lady and made her cry. I would growl at him and bark but he hit her anyway and he hit me too. I think he broke one of my ribs because it still sticks out and I don’t like anyone touching there. I also cringe and flinch if you try to pat me on my head.
The mean couple trained me to never to “go” on the grass. They thought the neighbors would complain. To avoid getting hit or kicked I learned to always go on the edges, on the concrete or gravel even though that was uncomfortable and sometimes hot on my feet.
I never learned to play either because there were no toys in that house. As hard as I tried I suppose I never did anything right because the mean couple ended up leaving me at a kennel. Their reason given was they simply did not want me. I was back living in a cage.
The next people who adopted me gave me back too and said it was because of hospitalization. I never bit anyone but maybe they thought I did. I am not sure why they were hospitalized. Then I was put in a foster program instead of in a kennel. The foster people tried to be nice but they had too many dogs to care for. Every Saturday they took us to a pet store in Virginia where people came to meet us and maybe take us away.
How I hated Saturdays! The noise was unbearable because all the foster dogs barked and cried at once. We were all so afraid of all the strangers and there was this awful smell of fear.
But there was a lady who walked with a stick who came in that Saturday.
They brought her a chair and they took me to a cage that was right next to her. I fought with the two attendants who were trying to put me in there when the lady said, “Please don’t put her in that cage. I will hold her.” And so I sat on-leash, next to the lady with my head on her foot, shivering and looking into her eyes to thank her in the only way I could.
That nice lady was named Dor and she was with another nice one named Emmy. They did not know me and I could not tell them how afraid I am of cars. Cars always take me to another horrible place. But Emmy and an attendant put me in the back seat of a car where I did some serious shaking and shivering. Emmy drove and Dor sat next to me. She wrapped me in her coat, held me close, and talked to me in a soft voice. She said, “It’s o.k. You are going home to a nice place where people will love you.” And she kept stroking my face and my ears like my real dog mother used to do and all the wolf mothers before her.
And I thought, “I will never forget this human. I will never forget.”
We drove for a long time to a house with other people and even a dog named Kota, who was much bigger than me and very very nervous. In fact, Kota turned out to be so nervous, she could not be still.
We went inside but I was sure they would soon take me to another kennel and another cage. I really wanted to explore but there were so many people talking at once and Kota kept running around nonstop. Finally I growled as if I were Mighty Wolf and scared Kota onto a chair with her mistress.
It was a relief to sleep that night in a dark room with Dor and Bill. I slept on a blanket at the foot of their bed and it was heavenly quiet. Everybody left in the morning except for Dor and Bill. Now we three would get to know each other and I somehow knew this would be my forever family,
I think I am as smart as any other dog, but it took a day and a night and some more experiences to believe I had a new home where the humans actually liked me.
Dor was the one human I decided to take care of.
I followed her everywhere and still do.
I sit behind her chair but if she moves I move.
I have been here two years now and all this time she thought I was the one who needed protecting. Even when I bark at strangers she thinks I am afraid for myself.
The truth is, I am protecting HER – not me. I do love all her soft words of praise and love and the gentle petting too. But I know my real purpose is to protect her and my family.
I knew this from the very first moment I heard her say,
“Please don’t put her in that cage. I will hold her.”
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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Well done mom!
Sent from my iPhone
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Oh what a beautiful story all about Elsa,she had been through some tough times so thank goodness you found her Dora, she is now happy. I don’t know my rescue dog’s previous life because he was found loose on a rubbish tip where he was then taken to Takis Shelter here in Crete. I had much the same experience with Koko when we brought him home i.e. the shaking and cringing when we attempted to stroke him. The only thing he is frightened of now is Thunder storms and fireworks. and we love him to bits as you love Elsa. Thanks for this lovely post Dora, Stay safe and keep well.
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This made me cry. We love ur furry friends just like children at times.
Donna Martin
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Awwww….. adogable!
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That made my eyes get watery. Must be allergies or something. I love when people rescue pets who have been through some hard times. Us humans have hard times too and our pets rescue us.
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No words Dor, It just it seems really like your little pet talking.
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What a lovely story. And how glad I am that Elsa found you.
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❤ Sweet story, Dor. All the more special because it is true!
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What a wonderful story, Dor! I think you two were made to find one another.
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Aw!! How sweet!
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A Great feeling of emotion here Dor. Those who take the time read this will feel peace, kindness and Love. So faithful are they who sit at our feet. Ours, Benjamin (Ben) is at my feet as I write this. Our ever shadow, knows our every move and shres his Love with all who come through the door. Definitely a wolf while communicating in the early morning. https://wolf.org/wolf-info/basic-wolf-info/biology-and-behavior/communication/
Walk softly and carry that stick. I need mine from time to time also.
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Sitting here in tears as I knew the ending of your story but not all the older details. You need to get that published even if just given out at shelters and pet stores ❤
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Good girl, Elsa. Well, done,, Dor.
Not enough people take the older rescues, which is a shame. They have so much to give. And every dog deserves a soft bed.
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Thankyou son!!!!
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How similar our experiences are! I would so love to meet you and Koko “in person.”
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Hi Donna and so good to hear from you! I read my Elsa story again and it made me cry too. Thankyou!
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She does seem to understand us humans sometimes better than we understand ourselves.
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Elsa has added another dimension to our home – smiles and an understanding of how to survive suffering.
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That’s a terrific added dimension, from a terrific creature.
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Thanks Eliza. We do believe Elsa’s story is worth telling, even if some of it is surmise due to her actions and inactions.
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It sure did feel that way Margy… and still feels right.
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Thank you Rooster for the wolf link. It explains some things for sure. I carry the stick when out in the world – for balance. Elsa watches it carefully since I sometimes leave it in places where it is likely to tip over.
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Thankyou so much for that comment Eunice!
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Oh, I so agree!
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Dear Elsa: You wrote about your life before and now so beautifully and I only hope that other dogs who have been put up for adoption will find such a wonderful and loving forever home. You have been through a lot of troublesome times but somehow you survived to become the protective dog you are to ‘Dor’. How fortunate for you and your family to have found each other – it was truly meant to be!
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A beautiful story well told.
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Oh, Elsa, your story made me want to cry! But I know you are so well loved and cared for now so that makes me happy. How do I know? Because your Dor is the best, kindest lady ever!
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Dorf (dor, dorfy, dorfus, etc,). This is fabulous! It needs to be published. Reader,s Digest would love it. You never fail to amaze me big sis! Lots of love, Pee Wee
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I am so happy my little brother read this one! I know you would love Elsa since your heart is even more tender than mine when it comes to the pups in our lives.
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I love you too Cindy, for your deep understanding and for wanting to cry for Elsa too.
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Thanks so much Al. That means a lot to me.
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Thankyou for that my dear friend, Kit the Wit!
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Tears are running down my face. Please share this post with the organization/agency you adopted her from. Please.
I just love stories that have a happy (tail-wagging) ending!! XO
-MJ
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Thankyou MJ! Elsa surely does have a happy ending because we love her so.
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Sweet! Sounds like Elsa is right where she needs to be.
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She knows that home is safety now and never gets far aways.
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