From Caterpillar To Butterfly This mug is a special one to me and when I have my morning coffee it brings to mind many things. But one thing in particular it reminds me of is some of the foster animals we take in and their transformation while in our care. In my care is one such dog now. His name is Ziggy and I know many of you know him either by my postings here or have met him in person. I am getting to see played out the transformation of a dog who is completely shut down emotionally and physically to what he is still yet to be. The doctor visits to fix him up were one important aspect of Ziggys initial care. My tending to his needs was probably the most consistent aspect of his care this past month or so Ive had him. Recently at an adoption event someone said to me, how do you do it? She was referring to taking care of Ziggy and the others. That question surprised me and my answer was simple, I feed him, look after him and mostly just love him. Its easy. Especially the love part. Love is like water and sunlight that gets the flowers to grow. Love is like the caterpillar who waits patiently until the day comes when he has the courage to change into something completely different. The courage is the love. The patience is the love. The hope is the love. For Ziggy, all those people who have supported him spiritually, financially and physically is the love. When Ziggy arrived he remain motionless for days and weeks only moving from spot to spot when carried, clearly emotionally wrecked from whatever unknown neglect he faced in his past. The only recognition he gave to me that I existed was when his big, sad brown eyes following me. The day arrived when while in his cage with his food (he had finally been eating mostly regularly and had gained a bit of weight) I heard a teeny whine come from the cage. Ziggy whined at me when I walked by! Then there was the day he got up from a dog bed I had placed him on and followed the dogs half way outside before he froze in place and I had to scoop him up. Then there was the day Ziggy scooted cautiously outside all by himself. Less than a week later I let the dogs inside the house and was on my way back outside to get Ziggy and carry him in and there he was right at the door. He had come up the stairs and to the door all by himself! Then, just last week, when I came downstairs in the morning Ziggy got up and looked at me and I saw an ever-so-slight wag of his tail. Joy-o-joy that morning was! Now he sometimes gets up and comes towards me when I come into the room. That pitiful look of deep sadness on his face has been replaced by a curious sadness and a longing for better things. I am the fortunate one to be witnessing a transformation of a caterpillar to a butterfly. His wings are changing inside his cocoon, growing bigger, stronger and more beautiful. He is stretching, changing and growing confident, preparing to enter the big, wide world. There will be a day when the butterfly we named Ziggy fully emerges. I will be incredibly fortunate to be able to say I was witness to the process of his growth and healing from beginning to end. Yet again being able to rescue and rehabilitate animals I will be reminded what a dash of hard work, a pinch of faith, some hope thrown in and endless amounts of love can do. Have a wonderful day everyone!
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 14:17:54 +0000