I bat my eyes at him and give him a plastic smile. “Thanks,Mom. I’ll be fine. All kinds of studies show dogs are actually great for reducing anxiety and improving mental health.” I lower my voice, adding, “I have beenmiserablefor the last two years. I have felt helpless and broken.Iamthese dogs. Maybe I can help these innocent animals find homes and find pieces of myself along the way. I don’t see any harm in that, do you?”
“No,” Rhett sputters, looking stunned. I get an odd sense of satisfaction in making him a little off-kilter. “You’re right. I was butting in when it’s not my place. I think this could be good for you. I mean it.”
“I think it could be too. This is something Ireallywant to do.”
“Then let’s do it.”
“Let’s?”
“I mean, you will be the one coming back to help out. That can be your thing, but let’s go meet the dogs now and make sure you’re up for it.”
I nod, bouncing up and down in excitement.
Carol unlocks the gate to her backyard. “Let’s go see some pooches, shall we? You two came at the perfect time. I like to let all the dogs wander the property as much as I can, but the best time to see them playing is early in the morning and then later in the evening when it’s not so hot for them.”
Carol makes sure to lock the gate properly behind us and then gestures to the several acres of land in front of us, completely enclosed with high fences. “Here we are.”
A large Husky rushes up to greet us, followed quickly by a black Pitbull-looking dog. Their tails wag rapidly, and they both look as happy as ever to see new people. My heart cracks in two as I immediately crouch down to pet one with each hand, speaking to them in a high-pitched voice.This is where I belong.
Carol places two fingers into her mouth and whistles, which instantly attracts the attention of the rest of the dogs wandering around the grassy yard. In an instant, about fifty dogs are rushing toward us. Behind them, the expansive Texas sky is highlighted in orange and red hues as the sun slowly starts to sink below the horizon. The sight makes mysoulhappy. I’ve never seen so many happy dogs in one place.
I quickly capture a video of it and then glance up at Rhett, ready to thank him for bringing me here, but I find his attention is already on me, his eyes looking softer than I’ve ever seen them. Trying to distract myself from the fluttering in my stomach, I turn to the chocolate lab in front of me.
Her whole butt wiggles and her tongue lolls out of her mouth as she slips under my palm and then finds her way to Rhett. She nuzzles her face right into his hand until he starts petting her.
“Looks like you found yourself a friend,” I say, trying not to let the image of Rhett loving on a dog melt me right here and now.
“That’s Hope. She’s fairly new to the rescue. She’s only about six months old, but she’s a perfect angel,” Carol explains.
Rhett gently scritches the soft patch of fur behind the dog’s ears. “Hi, Hope.” I can tell he’s trying not to get attached to the sweet pooch, but I think he’s failing.
More dogs continue to come up to us, and all of them gravitate toward me, making me feel whole. It’s like they know I need their love. Or maybe they need what I have to give. I’d like to think it’s a mixture of both.
I pull out my phone to take a video of all the dogs for @Dog_Central_. This content would be great for the rescue’s social media too.
I start to ask Carol about her marketing plan, but I quickly become distracted when a German Shepherd comes up and sets his snout on my shoulder. Suddenly the smile that hasn’t come off my face in the past twenty minutes wavers, and tears threaten the corners of my eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Rhett instantly goes into protective mode.
“Look at him! He’s practically giving me a hug. This is just what I needed today. Thank you for bringing me here.” I turn to Carol, sniffling. “I just want to take him home. I want to takeallof these dogs home. It’s just not fair. How do you do this?”
“It’s not easy. Most days suck. But when I find a good home for these animals, it’s an amazing feeling. It’s a lot to take care of so many dogs, but it beats the alternative. I’ll keep hundreds of dogs here with me if it means they get a shot at a good life. I just do my best every day. That’s all I can do.”
The German Shepherd has moved from giving me a makeshift hug to basically sitting in my lap, even though he must easily weigh at least ninety pounds. Man, he knows how to wiggle into a woman’s heart.
“I haven’t seen him like this,” Carol notes. “He came to the shelter a week ago, and he’s been so skittish. He must really like you.”
I stroke his back and kiss his cheeks. “I think I’m in love.”
“You should take him home,” Rhett says.
“I can’t.”
“Why not?” His tone is a little accusatory, so he softens it and asks, “Wouldn’t it make you happy?”
“More than anything in the world, but I can’t take him home. I’m only here for three months, and, in case you’ve forgotten, I’m living in your house indefinitely.”
“I’d allow a dog in my house if it’d help you.”
