Olive
She came to us afraid of almost everything, and found out, slowly, that she was safe.
Olive was a rescue. We brought her home to keep our dog Gilligan company, and in time he became her big brother.
She came from an unfortunate start, and it showed. I have never seen a dog eat so fast, as though someone might take the bowl away. Footsteps, doors, a bag rustling in the next room: for a long while, the whole world seemed to frighten her.
We didn’t try to fix her. We just kept being there. It took a couple of years, and then one day I noticed she had stopped flinching. She had become a calm, settled little dog, content on her blanket in the afternoon light.
Somewhere along the way she decided I was her person. Wherever I went, she went. The kitchen, the garden, outside the bathroom door. My small black shadow.
Olive, in the long grass.
At full speed
At the off-leash park she became someone else entirely. The timid little dog disappeared, and what was left was pure Italian greyhound: low, fast, all legs, running for the joy of it.
She was impressive to watch. I don’t think I ever got tired of it.
The small things
Olive and her brother, Gilligan.
Thank you for trusting us, little one. You were safe here.Summer & Gilligan
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