Rags and the Whispers
by Amber Chenoweth



Such a quiet boy… He never complains.  But he can hardly hide his painful past.  You can clearly see it in his eyes.  But what happened to leave him with that look of undeniable sadness?

Rags had been removed from his owner’s property because of the neglectful situation he was in.  Bound with a big, heavy chain, he was tied there for one use only – to be a guard dog.  Rags often wondered why his owner had chained him.  Did he know that it was absolute torture?   Being a pack animal, he longed to be with other dogs and people.  He day dreamed about running and playing with other dogs all day and being held and stroked at night by a loving person.  ‘Why doesn’t my owner know that dogs that have been chained can also often times become aggressive?’ he thought.  'It’s so frustrating and it hurts me just like it would a human if they were chained up against their will.’ 
 

But there is something very special about Rags – a sort of deep soulfulness.  And he has an amazing spirit and will to keep going.  These special qualities would prevent him from becoming aggressive.  Part of his story has been lost a long the way so it is hard to say how else he had suffered – if he had gone without food or water or if he had been beaten.  Things were not good for him and there had been complaints.  Whatever the awful circumstance were, a form of help was finally on the way.

When Animal Control saved him from his scary situation, his next stop would be nearly as frightening for him as the last.  He was taken to a local shelter which made him extremely nervous.  Amongst all the strange smells and loud noises, he became so shy and timid that no one took an interest in him.  There was also the “issue” that he was 9 years old.  He was just too old.  ‘Don’t the people know that I still have a lot of spunk?  I love to wrestle and play tug-o-war.  And my love will never run out.’

He waited there, wondering what he had done wrong.  Why hadn’t anyone wanted to love him at any point in his life? 

It seemed that his suffering would soon be over.  The shelter needed to make space for the younger and more socialized dogs.  Rag's time was up and he was scheduled to be euthanized.  Who had time to work with this dog, anyways?  There are so many that need homes.  He would soon walk down that dark hall where he had seen the others go and never come back.  'But I have thoughts and feelings and I want to live.  Why doesn’t anyone want to know me?’

Rags had heard the other dogs whispering at night.  Not in the way that you and I whisper out loud, you see, but in the dog world, these voices are heard in the mind alone.  The dogs were talking about a legend of a great dog hero who has the power to save them from death row.  Just when they thought they had no hope, a man would appear and take them to a beautiful place where they would be free to run and play with other dogs.   No more cages, no more fears.  And there is enough love there for them all while they would wait to find their forever homes.
 

Rags huddled in the back of his cage.  He closed his eyes and thought about the whispers and what he had heard.  Could this be true?  Would someone come for him?  What about all the people who had passed by his cage and muttered that he was too shy, too old, etc.?  It didn’t seem likely since he was used to a life of fear and disappointment.  

It was so overwhelming and scary when all the other dogs would jump and bark for the visitors attention.  Deep in his thoughts, Rags didn’t even notice the visitor walking up to his kennel.  Rags looked up as the man crouched by the cage door and softly said, “Don’t be scared.  I’m here to help you.  I’m taking you away from here. You are going to a safe place now, buddy.” 
 

Once safely in the car, he snuggled up to Will, his rescuer, in the front seat.  He watched the shelter which he had been sure was his last stop in life, disappear behind them as they zoomed off.  There were other dogs aboard as well, all equally shocked and ecstatic to have such a wonderful twist of fate.  Eyes wide and bright, they anxiously waited to see the “safe place” they had heard of in the legends.
 

A few months later, Rags sat in a patch of sunlight streaming down through the Evergreen trees.  He wondered why humans always talk about him like he is not even there.  ‘I wish they knew how much I understand’, he thought to himself. 

“Rags has just really blossomed since he has been at Pasado’s” Kindie says to Will. “I am so glad that we have had the time to give him the time he needed to develop trust in people.”  Holding his leash in her hand, Kindie gazed out at the Cascade Mountains.  She was ready to go on one of their special walks together through the peaceful wooded trails at the Pasado’s sanctuary. 

“Yeah…it’s hard to believe that no one had seen that gentle soul of his before.  You know, last night he snuggled up with my rabbit even!  I knew he really liked other dogs and cats, but who would guess a rabbit?!”  Will exclaimed. 
 

‘And who would guess that I would end up getting to stay in a cabin with the “dog hero” that the dogs at the shelter had whispered about’, thought Rags.  ‘If they would listen for a second, I would whisper  to them about how much I love them for believing in me and saving me… but I think they already must know... They have seen each time the sadness and fearfulness disappear from a dog that they have rescued and brought to this special place called Pasado’s Safe Haven.’

“Let’s go for our walk now, Rags!” Kindie smiled.  Rags looked down the path lined with tall trees with tender new spring leaves. Sunlight scattered across the soft grass.  The peaceful quiet and sweet smells of the country side were all becoming a part of his new life.
 

He thought back to that day when he was almost asked to walk down that dark hall to meet his fate instead.  He knew that part of his purpose in life was to help the humans save more of his friends from that dreaded and unnecessary ending because they all deserve a chance at a happy life.  It was time to start thinking about a plan... 

TO BE CONTINUED…    

Can you help us rescue one of Rag’s friends from death row?  Please make a donation here today.        

 Rags is out of harms way but he is still longing for his special person to come along and share life with.  Be warned, though.  If you meet Rags, you will fall in love!