55) Rescued

I’m not a fan of cliches, I like words and phrases to be as authentic and unique as possible. I cringe when people say that they are ‘marrying their best friend’ or that it was their rescue dog that rescued them.

Then I got married and had to physically restrain myself from writing in my vows that I was marrying my best friend, because I was, and I have had multiple whispered conversations with Mario and Bruce, my 2 rescue pups, about how they definitely rescued me right back. I guess cliches are cliched for a reason, who knew!

The rescue dog cliche has been on my mind a lot this week. I’m now in my 4th month of recovery after my accident on the Routeburn and my resulting concussion. I finally have so much more energy and I’ve been taking the dogs on big walks and hikes again, they have been absolutely exhausted every evening and fall asleep as soon as we get home. I look at their little sleeping faces and I can’t help wondering what happened to them before they came to live with us. This week we contacted the rescue center that we adopted Bruce from and asked if they had any photos from when he was younger. They sent us this:

My breath caught in my throat and my heart physically ached when I saw my pup like that. It actually hurts to look at that picture, even though he is curled up next to me right now and I know he is safe, I still can barely stand it. His eyes show a terror and a confusion that makes me want to climb through the screen and rescue him all over again.

There were so many days on this recovery where I thought to myself how much easier it would be if I didn’t have 2 dogs, how much more time I would have to rest, how much quieter it would be. Looking back now I can see how lonely it would have been.

The times my head was so jumbled that I wasn’t able to speak and they curled up and just sat beside me, the days I didn’t want to move but I needed to bring them out. I never regret going for a walk, it always clears my head and brightens my day. Nothing short of 2 adorable dogs would have gotten me up and about on those dark days and I’m so grateful.

For 4 months of doctors visits, tears, physiotherapy, MRIs, set backs and relapses they have been my constant companions. Mario seems to know when my balance is a bit shakey and he walks close beside me on the rocky trails, Bruce has made sure I am never alone when I need a cry.

Having rescue dogs has been the most rewarding thing that I have ever done. The confusion in their eyes changes to understanding quickly when you show them what love is and they look up at you as if you are the sun. They are the most loyal and loving creatures on the planet and the rescue centers that save them from an awful fate are heroes. I will be forever grateful to Furever Homes for saving my best friend.