Pamela, a dog, lived in a decrepit doghouse in her family’s backyard for a staggering eight years. But one fateful day, it seemed that her situation had deteriorated even further. Her family had relocated to a new place, leaving her behind, abandoned and alone.
“Have you ever wondered what a dog with a shattered heart looks like?” Last week, Janine Guido, the founder of Speranza Animal Rescue in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, posed this question alongside a photo of Pamela peeking out of the small house she was on the verge of losing. Guido had received a tip from a local realtor that the dog would be left homeless. Soon after, the man being evicted showed up and loaded Pamela into Guido’s car. Guido narrated the incident: “He simply shut the door and went back inside the house to collect his belongings.”
Pamela was undoubtedly overcome by fear due to the sudden and drastic changes in her life. She cowered in her crate, tightly tucking her tail underneath her and emitting soft growls. Guido remarked: “While she doesn’t bear any physical wounds, it’s the emotional wounds that are the most difficult to heal.” However, Guido has assisted even the most traumatized dogs in overcoming their pasts, so she knew that Pamela simply required love, comfort, and patience. Additionally, the dog needed to visit the vet, as she had sores on her body from living outdoors in filth. Guido expressed: “Whenever I speak to her, she trembles in fear. Her entire body trembles… The look in her eyes is simply heart-wrenching.”
However, within just a few days, Pamela started planting kisses on Guido’s face. This dog, who had spent her entire existence outdoors, gradually realized that the rapid changes in her life were actually beneficial. Pamela’s kisses started out somewhat hesitant, but after a series of pleasant walks with Guido, she truly began to blossom. Guido reported on Monday: “During our morning walk, she stayed right beside me, never straying more than a foot away. Every five or ten steps, she would glance back at me, jump up, and wrap her legs around my waist. When I knelt down, she started kissing my face, as if to say, ‘I’m alright now.’ These are the moments that make life worthwhile.”
Although Pamela has undeniably made remarkable progress in a short period of time, there is no rush to push her further. It is crucial for her to fully acclimate herself before experiencing any major changes. Guido emphasized: “She will undergo a complete vetting process, and we will spend time with her to learn all of her preferences and dislikes. But hopefully, in the near future, she will be ready for a loving family.”
