The neediest dog

This happened just as COVID came on. My son-in-law, Michael, has always been a dog guy. After he had met our Chai, our newly rescued Goldie mix, he wanted to own a dog again, especially now since his kids, Lilly, 12, and Avery, 9, were at the age to really appreciate having a pet. Everyone was home now as well.

One day in March 2020, he and his two children drove over to the Nassau Humane Society, not far from their home. When they arrived and were asked questions, Lilly spoke up first: “We want the dog no one wants, we want the neediest.”

The attendant brought out this dog — I should say carried him out. He was broken. Part shar-pei, and part I don’t know, it was obvious this dog was very ill. They were told he had been abused — kept in a rabbit hutch his entire life. He was 8 years old. He had heartworm, mange, eye issues, several BBs were on his back, under his skin. His eyes were oozing; his vision was limited due to infection. But it was his fear that was most palpable and heartbreaking. We could only guess what kind of trauma he had been put through. He hid from the family, hiding under my daughter and son-in-law’s bed, only feeling somewhat safe at night. Then Michael would carry him outside while the dog trembled in his arms. It was only under the darkness of night that he felt safe enough to pee and poop.

The weeks passed as the family tried to nurse him back to health. It wasn’t easy. He was on lots of very heavy meds with awful side effects, and no one was certain he would live. Even the humane society workers said he had a slim chance of survival. It didn’t stop the family from tending to him, loving him. He had very little appetite, barely eating anything. Soon after he was brought to their home, Lilly decided to name him Scout, after the beloved main character in "To Kill a Mockingbird." This was the novel she was reading at the time.

Months later, there was some improvement in Scout’s health. However, he still did not feel safe enough to be around the family or anyone. He preferred staying in his bed in a dark corner away from everything and everybody. 

Early one evening, several months later, my husband and I brought our dog Chai over. Scout must have smelled him, or maybe he heard him — he certainly knew there was a dog in the house. For the first time since they brought him home, Scout ventured out from his “safe” place and followed Chai walking around the entire house. We were so stunned and so happy to witness this “miracle.” We laughed and cried a lot that night. 

From then on, Scout felt safer with the family. He began to use the doggy door in the day and interact more with others. He truly was a member of the family now.

Today, Scout is much older and doesn’t have many years left. We know this just as we know how fortunate we are to have had him in our lives. He has touched us all with his gentle soul, and more importantly, taught us that all you really need is love. 

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Diana and Arthur Herman are native New Yorkers who have resided permanently on Amelia Island for over 15 years. Arthur is a professional artist and his work can be seen at Bar Zin and Cucina South. He also does artistic scene painting for our Amelia Island theaters. Diana is an actor who has performed at all our local theaters and most notably a one-woman show, "Becoming Dr. Ruth," about Ruth Westheimer's life. 

Others in the community are invited to share their stories of kindness and compassion. If you have a story you'd like to share here in the Fernandina Observer - about a neighbor or friend or business that showed you kindness - please contact Peggie Weeks at pegweeks@gmail.com