Ezra the Redbone Coonhound came to us over 10 years ago. He showed up one day, cowering in our shed, with a tight chain round his neck, skinny as a rail and nearly hairless from the mange.
He was filled with a fear of humankind, and we had to tread softly while in his midst, for the least quick movement would send his tail between his legs and his body all a-tremble. A trip to the vet revealed heart-worms and the treatment would be costly. It was a matter we REALLY had to discuss, whether to put him down or not? We decided to spend the money and give him a second chance for a decent life. I think he had one.
We gave him love
We gave him kindness
We gave him security
We gave him what everyone needs... a home.
He blossomed with health and found a new friend in Lydia, our other rescued doggy.
Ezra loved to wander the woods and was a gentle soul who never harmed another creature. He was like no other coon hound alive, for he actually permitted raccoons to eat from his dish and rabbits to chow down in the tulip bed. He shuddered beneath the house during the slightest of rainstorms and was sorely lacking as a "watch dog". Nevertheless, he won our hearts in his insecurity and tenderness.
However, he never got over his deep seated fears, and always kept his distance from most people. Someone wicked in his past had left an indelible mark. a wound from which he never completely recovered. I despise those who mistreat animals, to me, they are the lowest of the low.
However, he never got over his deep seated fears, and always kept his distance from most people. Someone wicked in his past had left an indelible mark. a wound from which he never completely recovered. I despise those who mistreat animals, to me, they are the lowest of the low.
This year , according to our calculations, Ezra turned 89 in human years. He lost his sight, his hearing, his balance and his zest. He was in a lot of pain. We thought about his life with us, and feel that he had a good innings. A long life, with square meals every day, a clean,warm bed, a pat on the head and an atta boy!... a life of running through the woods and meadows under countless summer suns.
Ezra went was put to rest last week, right here, in the Hollow, where he spent the best of his life. I had a good cry... I will miss him
But I am happy that he found some measure of happiness here in the Hollow.
Animals enrich our lives and we can enrich theirs.
