I never knew what it was truly like to be able to care for something/someone while I was out on the streets. Of course I had a camera that I took care of and maintained to a high standard, but there is nothing like caring for a living creature.
Since I have been incarcerated, I have had the opportunity to participate in the facility’s dog program in which I am housed. I have almost been a member of the program for a year which feels like it has gone by extremely quickly. The entirety of the time I have been in the program, I have had the opportunity to care for and work with the facility mascot dog, Lady. She is such a loving dog and might I add lazy as ever!
Recently she has been super down and in pain. About a week ago I gave her a bath. After the bath, I proceeded to brush her. While brushing her, I noticed a spot on her back that was really red and was losing fur. Upon further inspection, I noticed that this was not just a scratch or a small injury. Instead it was a hot spot sort of thing. I talked to the program lead and he told me to shave the area and put antifungal cream on the area. This seems to be somewhat working but it is still raw and red. It does however look way better than it did before trying the cream.
In all, I have had to be there for Lady in a different way than I was before. Yes I feed her, bathe her, and get her outside and play with her, but this requires a different level of care. I had to comfort her and let her know that everything was going to be played and that what I was doing to her was for her benefit. So now our institution’s mascot dog has a bald spot on her back but she is now rocking a pink sweater that someone made for her!