Every ending is a new beginning. In the story of a dog now named Zahra, no truer words have been spoken.
In February 2023, my friend, Amanda, came across a dog that was kept in a small enclosed area. She was sleeping on the cement, and her general appearance was shocking as she had pressure sores and was very underweight for her size. Her owners kept her locked up as she had a liking for the feathered friends roaming the farm. There was no intent to do her any bodily harm; she was just a fixture that had become so part of the overall picture that she had become “unseen.” Therefore, neglect crept in. She couldn’t be allowed to roam as she ate the chickens. She ate the chickens because she was hungry, and that led to her being incarcerated. A circle of unfortunate events that didn’t do her any favors. Months turned to years, but somehow she survived.
Amanda first noticed her when she went to a local farm. She saw the big dog locked in the small area, and immediately her heart went out to the sad face watching her from the other side of the fence. Upon inquiring, she learned that the dog had been rescued from another sad situation. This is how the story of Zahra’s new life started. Unbeknownst to her, she was on the road to becoming a family member, but before that happened, a few things had to fall into place.
Amanda’s partner, Hendrik, fell in love with the big dog. Despite being kept locked up, there is no aggression in her. Hendrik spent many hours with her in her little prison. They tried to improve her life by putting sawdust down on the cement floor, kitted a doghouse out, and started feeding her on a regular basis. They were living in a townhouse and their fur family consists of a lot of little ankle snappers. Problems right there… They were, therefore, a little wary of bringing a big dog into the fold without proper introductions. Plans had to be made and executed with great emphasis on everybody buying into the new addition. Every day Zahra was taken for long walks and she just lapped it up, behaving impeccably. It became harder and harder to put her back at night and say goodbye. The crunch came one afternoon when Hendrik just couldn’t do it anymore and put Zahra in the car. She was going home, and they would roll with the punches that would undoubtedly come with this decision.
I think the most poignant moment for me was the image of Zahra sitting on the back seat of the vehicle, her nose pressed against the window. I received that pic as they were driving her home for the first time. What was she thinking? Here is a 5-year-old dog that has only known the scraps of life, never been loved or part of family life. I believe that trip was the first trip to a heavenly new life, she didn’t even know it.
Her rehabilitation has not been without challenges. She accepted everything that came her way without any problem or hesitation. Unfortunately, the ankle snapper parade felt very put out and, after giving her a warm welcome, they decided to become “those” family members, giving her the cold shoulder. It has now whittled down to one problem child, and hopefully, with time, the attitude will change. As for everything else that was thrown at her, she just had one thing on her mind… if it was good with Hendrik, it is good enough for her. She loves him. Her adoration knows no bounds, and last week the entire family (dogs, cats, horses, and one kid) moved into a large new family home.
Zahra is now getting used to wide open spaces and living a plot life. She met the resident pigs the other day, and her first instinct was to have a little fun chasing them. With one word, Hendrik brought her back to him. She is just so obedient, never wanting to let him down, so her reaction to him calling was instantaneous.
I received pics of her sitting in the back seat of the family vehicle traveling to and fro as they moved house. Zahra just went along for the ride. She is with her beloved Hendrik and she expects nothing else from life. The image is one that I love looking at. It just keeps reminding me that there are good people out there. People that change the world for one dog and they expect nothing in return.
50 Shades of Spay Fifty Shades of Spay played a small part in the story of Zahra, helping where we could. The true heroes of this story are Amanda and Henrik, who paid attention to the plight of a dog in need. Today, they are reaping the rewards of their kindness as they have the love and loyalty of a beautiful animal.
Sometimes, bad things happen to make way for good things to come. True story. It also takes special people to make things happen. I am privileged to call them my friends.
Zahra is a female given name of Arabic origin. It means beautiful, bright, shine and brilliant.
Shine on Zhara.
