Unfortunately, not every furry friend will have the opportunity to experience a lifetime filled with love and comfort.
Many of these animals are fated to live in tough conditions without love or warmth, forced to survive on leftovers and rainwater.
Even after being rescued by a caring human, it can take these dogs a significant amount of time to fully trust and understand that the person means them no harm and only wants to help. This was the case for a lovely PitBull named Ruby, who had lived her life in the forest and was initially hesitant to trust the human who wanted to assist her.
When MaryAnne stumbled upon a grown dog living alone in the woods, she was devastated by the dog’s condition. The pup, named Ruby, was severely undernourished, with her bones clearly visible. Despite Ruby’s initial reluctance, MaryAnne tried to approach her and offer some pets before Ruby disappeared into the woods again. With limited time, MaryAnne was determined to earn the fearful dog’s trust and help her regain some weight before the harsh winter arrived. Taking it one step at a time, MaryAnne set out to make a difference in Ruby’s life.
Ever since MaryAnn stumbled upon Ruby in the woods, she made it a daily routine to visit her with delicious meals and reassuring words to show her there was no need to fear. Despite Ruby only coming near to grab the food before retreating to her safe spot, MaryAnn continued her efforts. With the arrival of spring, MaryAnn started to see some progress, but it wasn’t until the early days of summer that she successfully coaxed Ruby out of the woods.
“It took several months of consistent effort to get her to come back to me every day,” she explained. The dedicated dog rescuer was overjoyed when she saw Ruby muster the courage to return to her yard just to enjoy her meal. What’s more, she was even able to sit with Ruby for about twenty minutes, speaking to her gently in a calming tone. MaryAnn’s next goal was to put a collar around Ruby’s neck, and fortunately, that task turned out to be easier than expected.
“I think she was starting to feel like a real dog. She was beginning to understand what love truly meant,” MaryAnn remarked. Finally, Ruby started to have fun. Born into unfortunate circumstances, Ruby had never experienced a carefree and joyful life, and as a result, she didn’t even know what a ball was.
MaryAnn spent days teaching Ruby how to play with a ball, patiently waiting for the moment when Ruby would grasp the concept. After a few days of practice, Ruby caught on and became the happiest dog around! She enjoyed chasing her new toy and begging MaryAnn to throw it again and again. This was the turning point for Ruby as she emerged from her shell, eagerly awaiting MaryAnn’s call each day to begin their adventures together.
Despite the encouragement from her supporters to forcibly bring Ruby inside the house, MaryAnn knew that Ruby needed to take that step on her own terms. When Ruby finally mustered up the courage to enter the house, MaryAnn couldn’t contain her excitement. Not only was it a small victory, but it also signified a breakthrough in their relationship.
In the end, Ruby wasn’t the only one who benefited from this journey of love and patience. MaryAnn found fulfillment in providing Ruby with the love and care she deserved. I am grateful to MaryAnn for her unwavering dedication and patience towards Ruby, and I am delighted that their story concluded just as it was meant to.
Being an animal rescuer is truly one of the most rewarding roles one can undertake. If you want to experience profound warmth in your heart, I encourage you to visit your local shelter and lend a helping hand.
