A Shelter in Sweden

When I visited the shelter for homeless dogs I was forced to acknowledge one of the humankind’s darker sides. There are people who hate animals and don’t see them as living creatures.
Inside the shelter I saw a mixed dog that they had found in the woods tied to a tree. For how long, no one knows, but he was just skin and bones and very frightened. When rescued, given a bath and food he started to vomit, and up came a piece from a tube and small leaves and sticks.

Dogs with a tough up-bringing can many times be kind of wild. And, as un-patient that we humans can be, we want fast results, even in behavior changes that are deep rooted. We should try to understand that it takes time to build a new trust in an animal that has been abused and we must have insight and the understanding that animals do have memories and feelings.
Animals can show misbelieve through “eating” up the home, or if they are in pain they can growl and bite. But four out of five dogs that bite can be saved, and ultimately be at home in a loving environment. It demands time, of course, knowledge and – love. One love that will be returned a thousand times over.
At the same time we must realize another important factor: Dogs and others are pack animals by nature, and need structure and leadership.
A wise leadership… friendly but firm.

From my first book, Listen when the Animals Talk.