I have the best dog ever

About two years ago, I adopted a dog from the animal shelter.  I had been to the shelter seven or eight times without finding the right dog.  I finally decided I would try one more time.  If I didn’t find the right dog after that, I would look around for a breeder.  I was about half way down the row of kennels when I saw her.  She was sitting in a corner shaking violently with her back turned towards the people.  I said, “that’s her”.  The attendant offered to let me take her out into the yard to play with her, but I knew that wasn’t necessary.  I took her home that day.

She spent the first two months hiding under the bed, shaking violently whenever I called her out to interact with her.  She would flinch like she was about to be beaten within an inch of her life every time I moved.  Slowly, she started to trust me.  Today, nobody would ever know that she was that same dog.

About four months ago, my boss asked if I could work a double.  I told her I would if I could bring my dog.  I didn’t have anyone to take her out to the bathroom.  My boss agreed as long as I brought a copy of her shot record with her.  I didn’t have her on a leash at all.  I knew she wouldn’t go far from my side.  She stayed close to me all that day.  The patients and the visitors loved her, so my boss told me I could start bringing her to work with me.  She has gone to work with me every day since then, always staying close to me.

Last night when we got to work, I found that a patient was about to pass away.  Her family had gathered at her bedside.  I made a “comfort tray” full of coffee and snacks and delivered it to the room.  The family loved seeing Koda there.  I soon returned to the nursing station, expecting Koda to follow within a few minutes.  To my surprise, Koda, who never spends more than a few minutes out of my sight, spent most of the shift in that room.  The patient passed away peacefully about four a.m.  As the family gathered their belongings to leave, all they spoke about was the comfort and peace they got from Koda being there.

Human beings must have put her through hell for her to become the terrified dog that she was.  It is amazing to me that she has not only forgiven humans, but she tries to give of herself to bring comfort and peace when she can.  I have the best dog ever.