Here is a dog rescue story I have not shared before.
A Rescue at Dusk
The sky was painted in shades of gold and lavender when Ouie first heard the whimper. It was faint, nearly drowned out by the hum of traffic and the rustling of leaves in the evening breeze. We had just finished our art activity, our hands still smudged with paint, when he stopped suddenly, his gaze fixed on the gutter near the curb.
A dog, its ribs visible beneath a patchy coat, its eyes a mix of fear and longing.
Ouie crouched down slowly, his heart already deciding before his mind could catch up. “Hey, little one,” he whispered, stretching out his hand, fingers grazing the air between them. The dog flinched but did not run. It only watched him, weighing its options, as if knowing this was a moment that could change everything.
I rummaged through my bag, finding a leftover sandwich from earlier. Breaking off a piece, I placed it on the pavement. The dog sniffed, inched forward, then took the smallest bite. A step closer. A breath held. A bond forming.
We found an old watercolor bowl from our art kit and filled it with water, placing it gently beside the dog. As we watched it lap up the water and finish the food we had given, we both let out quiet sighs of relief. Then, Ouie touched and caressed the dog gently on its head. I saw something shift in his eyes—a quiet kind of joy, the kind that comes from knowing you’ve done something good, something right.
We named him Lucky that night.
And in a way, perhaps, he rescued us too.
For more wonderful stories in poetry about dogs being rescued, pick up Barbara Barth's new book, Sleeping With Dogs.
Book Summary
Barbara Barth started adopting dogs after the loss of her husband in 2008. From larger dogs to downsizing to Chihuahuas there are always five to six dogs at home. Barth has captured the essence of each dog's personality in short free verse poems. Known as Writer With Dogs, Barth has written two memoirs and a variety of novels. Dogs are always present in her stories. This is her first collection of poems.A chapbook of second chances.
ISBN-13: 979-8988575061
ASIN: B0DNMFXP46
Print Length: 37 pages
Purchase a copy of the book on Amazon. You can also add it to your Goodreads reading list.
Barbara Barth turned to writing and adopting dogs to heal after the loss of her husband in 2008. Known as Writer With Dogs over the years, she now calls herself Chihuahua Mama and lives with six demanding Chihuahuas in a charming small town forty miles from Atlanta. She is Literary Arts Chair on the Board of her local art center. Inspired by the many talented artists she meets Barth started painting. Her whimsical style embraces ladies, gardens, critters, and of course cats and dogs.
Find her online at:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbarabarthstudio/
Blog: https://barbarabarthartandwords.blogspot.com/
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BarbaraBarthStudio
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