A Rescue Dog Dreams

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The legs of a sleeping dog, lying on its side, are visible stretched out on the living room floor. Photo from Pixabay.

A Rescue Dog Dreams

Ella Rose, boarded outdoors two years in Copemish, brought home from Manistee’s Homeward Bound Shelter.

Do you know that moment

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just before sleep, eyes barely open,

in a twilight consciousness,

journeying toward rest,

perhaps to dream?

As we watch our dog,

Ella Rose,

so tired after a hard run

in the woods, she can barely

stay awake. Her eyes almost close.

We whisper to each other.

Even with our hushed voices,

she raises her head to stay

alert, a rescue dog’s vigilance.

We say, Shhhhhh. Let her rest!”

Such a precious experience,

to witness her last effort

before she feels safe to let go.

Soon deeply asleep, she dreams,

her nose twitches, full body quivers,

paws curve and tremble.

Can our affectionate Ella Rose,

who loves to snuggle,

be chasing a terrified rabbit

to snap its neck?

Or may we imagine

she’s dreaming the promise

of a treat after her Kibbles dinner,

a domesticated “Greenie” bone

she’ll toss in the air, tease,

then tear to shreds and devour

on our cozy flowered living room rug,

here in her homey refuge, yet fierce

as if she’s in the wild wild woods

where some rabbit, safe in its burrow

just now, is dreaming a reprieve

from fleeing for its life.

                                               —Louisa Loveridge Gallas         

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  1. J. T. Reply

    I could so imagine Ella Rose’s movements as I remember my own rescued black lab mix after a wonderful run along Lake Michigan’s shore at 1st St. Beach, Manistee. Chase would get antsy waiting for me to grab his lease as he knew it was time to go. At 13 1/2, we had to put him down last month and still can’t shake the feeling he is still in his spot waiting for me to take him for a run. Dogs are so perceptive, loving and mightily missed when gone. Hope you have many more years with Ella Rose.

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