Life Beyond the Shelter
A couple of weeks ago, Mikayla and I shared that we had welcomed the sweetest little soul into our home…
This black and white, uneven-eared, bunny-tailed pup who we named Stitch (formerly Skunk) took our hearts by storm.
And to our surprise and absolute joy, it seems that he took your hearts by storm as well.
Because the moment we introduced Stitch, we were flooded with heartfelt rescue stories from so many of you.
Stories that made us laugh and cry, and most of all, stories that deeply moved us…
The love you’ve shown your animals, the second chances, the patience, and the healing left us in awe.
So before we give you a little update on how Stitch is doing, we just wanted to say thank you.
Truly, thank you for taking the time to write, to share, to open your hearts to us and to your animals.
We feel so lucky to be part of a community filled with so much love and compassion.
We can’t wait to start sharing some of your stories soon, because they deserve to be heard.
And as for our little Stitch… each day with him is a reminder of how far love can go.
When we first brought him home, he was terrified to have anything near his neck.
A collar, a harness, or even a gentle touch around his ears would make him flinch.
(We believe it's likely tied to his past, when he lost his ears and tail in an act of cruelty that no living being should ever experience…)
You see, Stitch was rescued from a hoarding situation that involved his mom (a pointer), his five siblings, and 3 female Great Danes…
All of which suffered greatly…
But slowly, with time, treats, trust, and a whole lot of love, Stitch began to open up.
And the first time he let us gently slip on a harness without fear, was a moment Mikayla and I will never forget…
Because dogs have this quiet, beautiful way of teaching us what matters.
Every morning, Stitch runs into the yard and finds the one sunny spot where the light breaks through the trees.
He lays there peacefully, nose in the air, eyes half-closed, just experiencing life...
And I’m reminded that the freedom to feel the sun, to explore, and to rest safely are luxuries he didn’t have before.
So when he curls up in my lap for belly rubs or nudges my hand for more pets, I think to myself, this is all he ever wanted…
Just to be safe, and to be loved…
Despite everything he’s endured, Stitch is one of the happiest, most affectionate little souls we've ever known.
He forgives, he trusts, and he loves deeply and without hesitation.
And in that, there’s a lesson for all of us…
Because every dog is worthy of love.
Every dog has the capacity to give love, (no matter what their past holds…)
And every dog deserves their day in the sun.
And the truth is, we are so lucky, and so blessed to share our lives with them.
