Tag Page DOGS

#DOGS
Courtney Casey

the shelter didn’t tell me she cried at night

They said she was quiet. They didn’t say she cried at night. Not barking. Crying. It was so soft, I didn’t realize what I was hearing at first — a kind of whimper that didn’t even sound like a dog. More like something breaking very slowly. I brought Grace home on a Thursday. She’s a 5-year-old Golden Retriever. Her owner had passed away and she was surrendered to the shelter. She didn’t eat. Didn’t drink. Didn’t look at me. She just curled up under my table and didn’t move. At 2:13 AM, I woke up to that sound. I thought it was the pipes. Then I realized it was her. I lay down on the cold floor next to her, didn’t try to pet her. Just whispered, “It’s okay, baby. You’re safe now. You’re home.” She didn’t respond. But she didn’t move away either. We just lay there for maybe an hour. I was trying to prove I wouldn’t leave. She was trying to decide if she could believe that. #Pets #Dogs

the shelter didn’t tell me she cried at night
Lisa Gibson

he refused to go outside because of a stare

Yesterday, a dog passing by gave Kevin a quick, sideways glance. Just a look. Nothing more. But today? Kevin refused to step outside. I opened the door and called his name softly. He sat by the threshold, ears down, eyes flickering nervously. The usual excited tail wag was gone. It’s hard not to smile when your tough little Frenchie suddenly turns into a shy kid afraid of a look. I crouched beside him and whispered, “It’s okay, buddy. No one’s gonna stare today.” He blinked once, slow and steady, but didn’t move. Eventually, I had to carry him out—protests and all. And you know what? The moment he was outside, he forgot all about that stare. He started chasing a leaf like nothing had happened. That fragile little heart of his? I wouldn’t change a thing. #Pets #Dogs #SensitivePup

he refused to go outside because of a stare
Courtney Casey

the first time she wagged her tail

It was almost two weeks after she moved in. I had just come back from work. Opened the door, and there she was — not at the door, just a few feet back, watching. I didn’t expect anything. She usually stayed in the hallway or under the table until I walked past her. But this time, when I looked down, her tail moved. Just once. A tiny little wag, hesitant like she wasn’t sure if she was allowed to be happy. I didn’t say anything. I didn’t move. Didn’t even breathe too hard. It felt like I’d just seen something incredibly delicate and rare. Golden Retrievers are known for their tails. But this wasn’t a big happy tail sweep. It was a flicker of hope. A test. Like she was saying: “I remember you. And maybe… I’m starting to trust you.” #Pets #Dogs

the first time she wagged her tail