A Tree Falling in the Forest

Our family pet is not nearly as blood thirsty or ferocious as Andy’s miniature panther Papi. But our dog Shelby had a big breakthrough this week. Almost a year after being rescued from a shelter in South Carolina, Shelby overcame her crippling emotional pain and barked. I wasn’t there to hear it, but my wife was. The baby was crying and the doorbell rang; it was more than Shelby could take. From the safety of our bedroom she sounded the alarm and barked... not a soft wimper or a cry... a real live, loud and proud bark. She hasn’t barked since, but the next thing you know she will be approaching strangers and eating her dog food without being afraid of the noise it makes in her mouth when she chews. You go Shelby… you are making me proud.