We knew it was going to be a challenging night when my dog Sky and I stayed at my sister Dani’s house. Just a few months ago, Dani rescued Letty, the malnourished pug that’d been tied to a wall with a very short leash for her entire life.Now in the bliss of home, Letty strutted confidently around the house. Tenderness was healing her and a pug comrade Tomasito who was madly in love with her. Nevertheless, Letty still launched and tried to bite any dog who’d come in the house.
Upon arrival, we tried to separate and keep Sky and Letty apart, letting them take turns playing with an overly excited Tomasito, while we tried to watch a movie in between wails, scratches and multiple intermissions.
When the pugs were sound asleep, I thought it was safe to sneak out to pet Sky, but she slipped into the room for an instant and before I knew it, Letty was up and fiercely cornered us. She began to launch and yap as I lifted my 60 pound lab Sky up in my arms to avoid a confrontation.
But Letty wouldn’t let up. I saw it coming as she leaped towards Sky’s face and on an impulse I stuck my hand in between and felt my entire thumb going inside Letty’s warm moist mouth.
An alligator piercing clasp followed by throbbing pain while Letty was suspended from the earth gripping to my thumb with her sharp little fangs. All the while Sky wiggled trying to free herself to launch back.
Blood dripped, adrenaline kept us sharp as I held on to Sky for dear life until Dani was able to grab Letty and the ordeal was over.
Sky and I went to cuddle in the other room, and a few minutes later I came out and found Letty looking perplexed.
I held her and smooched her flat little black face, loving and petting her with my good hand, never once feeling a hint of anger or irritation towards the fearful creature
—I forgive you Letty I know you didn’t mean it— I kept consoling her as I washed the swelling bite on my hand.
But, what if Letty had been a person?
Could I be that quick to forgive?
Could I be that compassionate?
Loving the wild is natural. When they attack its survival, it’s never personal. I couldn’t judge animals, that would be silly, but I also know that it is never personal with humans either. When humans bark or bite it is because they are afraid too.
Years before, I found myself crying in the middle of the ocean when my dog Bodhi got lost in a rural town in Mexico. For three sleepless weeks we looked for her desperately, when I started to lose hope, I sat on my surfboard looking up at a double rainbow and sincerely asked God that whomever found Bodhi loved and cared for her so much. So, so, so much, that she would forget about me completely and she’d never miss me. Certainly, I’ve never done that for ex-boyfriend before!
In the end we found Bodhi! Sky went to dog camp for the week, and I slept under Letty and Tomasito smothering me like snoring coats while they stole all the blankets.
If the purpose of life is to learn to love unconditionally. I’ve experienced it with animals and children. It’s easy loving innocence. I must remember that I miss the truth when I condemn.
I am to love more and judge less
Ain’t we all God’s little children?