Lani knows me well and is aware that I have a tendency to be fearless and reckless at times. I smiled at her and said, “I’ll be good.” Before going down, I learned she was a stray that came in the night before. After giving all the other dogs treats, I went to Muffin’s cage. I stood there frozen, unable to move, as tears unashamedly ran down my cheeks.

She was so thin and her skin was bad, most likely from neglect, but it was something else that moved me right down to my bones. Muffin was frantically licking and nudging her dead baby, this primeval instinct to preserve life was more than I could bear.

“Dear Lord,” I prayed, “help us to help this poor creature.”  I left and on the way out I told Lani, “I’ll see her tomorrow.”

The next day I learned that Muffin was brought upstairs to the first run with her pups. I grabbed a few treats and went to visit, I was determined to interact and win her trust.  When I got to the cage door I noticed she was nursing four pups. I rushed back to see Lani, “did that baby make it?”

“No Lennie, we took that one away, she had two more after you left.”  I laughed, “I guess the good Lord gave her two more to make up for the one she lost.”

I went back and opened her cage door and went in.  I handed her a treat, which she devoured greedily and spoke to her softly to gain her confidence. She took the treat and two more without any attempt to bite, though she watched me warily.

In the subsequent two weeks, Muffin began coming to the cage door when she heard my voice. She’s allowed me to sit in with her and touch her as I give her treats.  I excitedly went out and told Ashley (Cutie) my progress.

“Yes, Lennie, she’s come a long way and even if she bites, she won’t bite down, just a warning to be careful.”

I like Cutie a lot, she’s a smart girl with a big heart who gets it.

I’ll never truly know what’s in store for Muffin and her pups, Tyrion and all the rest. We can only do what we can leave that to a higher power and to all of you.

Thanks for listening.