Rusty The Protector

Peering through the window, she sees him. He is an 80-pound brown and white dog.

While looking a bit terrifying, she knows he has a good heart. People are always judging larger dogs by their exterior, and she knows that a big dog has a big heart and so much love to give.

Being a volunteer at the shelter it’s been hard watching all of the other dogs be adopted while he sits there unnoticed and unwanted because of his size.

She makes a point of taking him out to play every day, especially when there are potential adopters at the shelter. She wants them to see that he’s one of the sweetest dogs they have, even if he is rather large.

Looking into his eyes she knows he longs for a forever home. Days go by, and she keeps bringing him out to play, letting him slobber all over his favorite tennis ball.

She cannot force anyone to take him home, and if she didn’t live in a studio apartment, he would be hers in a heartbeat. She has even refrained from giving him a name so she doesn’t get too attached.

One day, while she is throwing the ball for him, a family shows up with a little girl. They are of course looking at the smaller dogs, as most families do when they stop by the shelter.

She keeps throwing the ball for him, hoping he doesn’t see them. As hopefully as she has been, she has doubts that a family with a little child would go anywhere near him, even though he would be an excellent protector.

The little girl doesn’t seem interested in the smaller dogs that her parents are trying to get her to pet. She looks over and sees him in the yard running to catch his ball and giggles. She sees him notice the little girl when he turns around.

The little girl’s parents are surprised at how big he is. Being rescued as a puppy, he has lived his whole life in the shelter being unwanted.

She pats his head and tells him to stay while she approaches the family.

Explaining his story to the parents, she reassures them that even with his large and scary exterior, he has a heart of gold and the only thing he wants is a family to love him.

He sits there with eager eyes and a wagging tail. Before anyone can stop her, the little girl runs up to him. He freezes and doesn’t know how to react at first.

She starts petting him and poking at his giant paws. He sits there quietly and lets her do it.

He is happy for the affection. Her parents get closers slowly as not to disrupt the situation. He snuggles up to the little girl and lays down.

She rubs his belly and is hanging his tongue out of his mouth while wiggling around. At heart, he is a big old softie. The little girl is giggling and seems so happy.

Her parents look at each other and know this is the one. That day he left the shelter, and she shed a tear of happiness knowing he found his forever home.

From that day on, he would be known as Rusty and has a family to protect.

Sandy B