Dogs that have been left out on their own to fend for themselves have every reason to be terrified, even when a kind-hearted person readily takes them in to care for them. After all, they’ve never really known shelter, decent food, warmth, and the love of a dog enthusiast. It’s even worse when dogs have experienced abuse and are expected to just warm up easily to a new family.
But thanks to Hope For Paws, another dog is given the opportunity to live a happier, healthier life.
Hope For Paws rescues abandoned and homeless animals off the streets of Los Angeles, and also offers assistance with complex animal rescues around the country.
The team received a phone call about a sad, scared little dog.
Not wasting any time, they immediately drove to where the dog was.
The scared dog wouldn’t even look at any of the team members directly.
Using a low, coaxing tone, Eldad Hagar tried his best to get the dog from its spot – a cold place with concrete walls and bars. According to him, the dog was so scared and nervous that it was shaking in fear and even tried to disappear into the corner of the wall when he approached.
He then decided to meet the dog on the other end and when he slowly tried to go near, the dog huddled into a corner, still trembling.
“I didn’t want to seem threatening, so I crawled slowly towards the dog.”
The poor dog stood on its hind legs, leaning against the wall and keeping its head turned from Eldad. It was so shaken up that every approach seemed to be futile.
“She kept lowering her head and I was unable to secure her.”
The trembling dog kept its head lowered but Eldad wasn’t giving up that easily. He tried once more to gently reach out by holding a gloved hand out. To his surprise, the fearful dog finally relented and Eldad was able to secure it.
And Eldad wasn’t going to leave it at that.
He knew what McKenzie needed the most, so he took the frightened dog into his arms.
The dog, which Eldad named McKenzie, very slowly adjusted to a comfortable position on Eldad’s lap.
More than rescuing and nourishment, what McKenzie needed was love. Lots of it. Eldad made sure their first encounter would put McKenzie at ease. So that’s what he did – he reached out, somehow gained her trust, and held her for warmth and cuddles.
Eldad shares that in the time of COVID-19,
“We live in a world with a lot less hugs, but for McKenzie, it was what she needed the most!”
It isn’t just the people we know and the strangers we see who need comfort and love. There are so many stray cats and dogs waiting to be rescued. McKenzie’s story started out sad and heartbreaking but thanks to Eldad’s efforts, the dog has finally seen the silver lining of it all.
From sad, scared, and helpless to slowly trusting and eventually thriving in a better environment, McKenzie is now in great hands.
Here’s hoping more cats and dogs are rescued and given the best treatment. For more information on Hope For Paws and how you can help give abandoned and stray animals better homes, visit www.hopeforpaws.org.
Watch McKenzie’s incredible transformation below.
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