Why animals are worth it.

Tonight I was reminded why rescuing animals is worth it. A little over a month ago, I rescued a dog named Rosie from life on a chain in a mudpit. She belonged to hoarders who owned 6 other dogs living on chains. Rosie is a pitbull-german shepard mix, she's 1-1.5 yrs old, and deathly afraid of trash cans.

Week 1 tail was tucked between hind legs and ears flat against head; yet she quickly claimed her spot on my bed. Week 2 tail was not between hind legs, but ears were still flat against head; yet she claimed her second favorite spot...my antique living room chair. Week 8 tail is wagging, but she is scared of strangers quickly approaching her - however, she claimed her third favorite spot...my antique couch. You get the picture - slowly, but surely we are making progress. While going on long walks through the foothills in Charlotte she will turn around, give me kisses, and a high-five. A reminder that she loves a life full of love.

The next step in learning how to be a dog is learning how to talk. It took a while for my lab-dober mix, Jed, to learn that it's ok to talk. After much love and allowing him to be a dog, he learned to "WOOF". Tonight Jed and I had a speech therapy session with Rosie. It involved me, Jed, and Rosie sitting on her third favorite spot. I riled Jed up by saying "woof, woof Jed, speak." Jed talked back and it was like magic; all of the sudden we were talking "Rosie talk". She wiggled around onto her back (in my lap) as if to say "I hear you, I hear you! Woof, WOOF!" While Rosie did not talk through woofing, she spoke through her body language. A sign that she will soon "WOOF" out loud.

As humans, we have a lot to learn from our animal friends. No matter where animals come from they are capable of rehabilitation. All it takes is a little love and patience. Rescuing animals is worth it because it teaches us that patience and love conquers all. The challenges and crummy days of our everyday lives breaks us down, just like animals. But something as simple as piling onto an antique couch with our animal companions and "WOOFing" outloud can make crummy days melt away and teach us to woof a happy song.