Real. Fresh. Child-like.
We see the delight on Star's face as he was let out of the enclosure and the utter blissful expression as he immediately hopped into the pool and laid down flat on the first step, cool water over his body.
I'm overwhelmed by Ben's unabashed affection as he stand-hugs me with fullbodied closeness, unaware that his nails are giving me more than just his tenderness, and slurps wet doggy kisses whiningly all over my face. He must be my most ardent fan.
We smile at Jonah and Jamie's gladness that lights up their twin-boyish faces as they runs laps around the field, enjoying the sun and wind. Till they decided to pick fights with the neighbours. :)
We laugh (and sometimes sigh) at Jordan's mighty kangaroo hops that express his heightened joy at seeing again his human pals - he'll jump right in front of you and if you ignore him, he'll make sure he kangaroo hops you from the back, and yes, he is a tall fellow. He can floor you!
We brace ourselves as Tiger charges towards us, wiggling his 30+kg sumo-body that's so fleshly compact you can't help but give him big sounding pats on his tubby frame.
And Tommy ... our dear ol' Tommy ... who comes to us with a goofy grin on his face - and so happy to see his fav gal Junior -cos for now, he has to be kept in a separate kennel after his frequent quarrels with other resident dogs. Being the odd one out and constantly bullied by Tiger even as they were growing up together, his fights with other dogs seem to arise from the need to protect his turf which he claims over the field and pool area and shares with his good mate Junior. It is an unfortunate occurence as we have to be fair to all other resident dogs, cos Tommy was chasing and fighting many dogs out of his 'territory' and depriving many the use of the field and pool. So Tommy has to be kenneled for the safety of other dogs, especially the smaller ones who are not his match, and fairness to their rescuers.
Young Tommy - his days on the farm
Tommy now
But this will be for a short while only, as we're making plans to fence off a part of the enclosure just for Tommy. With his very own doghouse which will be moved in tomorrow. And steadily, with monitored interactions, we hope Tommy will realise that there is no need to fight anymore. That the field is to share. That he has his space in there. And no one will fight him out if he will only relax and live in harmony with the pack.
Watching our dogs and their canine dynamics among themselves and with us, the close friendship between dog and dog, and man and dog reminds me again so clearly - it takes courage to love. To open your heart and welcome a person or an animal into your world, not knowing where it will lead. How many of us have shunned close relationships cos of this fear to get close, the fear to know and be known.
Many fosterers/caregivers/guardians will share that in their care for an animal, many times the animal teaches them so much.
About unconditional love. Frank affection. No pretense nor excuses. No worries about later, tomorrow, next month, next year. The 'what if I get hurt'.
They live in the moment. Now. Just as they are.
They love without fear. What about you?
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