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Anxiety is among the strongest feelings. It immobilizes us and prevents us from pursuing our desires. It inhibits everyone from taking that jump, taking risks, and ultimately making the best out of their circumstances.
When Waffles was brought to the shelter in Wildomar, California, she was yet another fearful dog, scared to her core.
She was on edge, and Rocky Kanaka sensed that.
The unfortunate rescue pup was signaling all the wrong messages. It was a quite particular, nearly perilous scenario. Nevertheless, Rocky, being himself, understood he could reach that dog’s spirit.
He accomplished this through song.
Rocky Kanaka Sings With Dogs
He might as well change the title of his initiative from Sitting With Dogs to Singing With Dogs because what Rocky achieved with Waffles was truly unique.
As Rocky stepped into the room where Waffles was, he felt a cloud of anxiety and tension hovering. Waffles was emanating it. She was under significant strain, having come from a dreadful past to a new environment where uncertainty loomed.
Therefore, Rocky did what he excels at: he patiently awaited Waffles to initiate contact.
The alarming aspect concerning Waffles was her refusal to eat. A treat sat close by, yet Waffles did not touch it whatsoever. That’s a clear indication of the level of stress the dog was under. Obviously, Waffles was completely overwhelmed.
It’s no mystery why! Reports from the rescuers indicated that Waffles was left in an abandoned, dilapidated house, subsisting on minimal scraps, and those were scarce. She had been left to wither away, heartbroken and resolute in her decision never to trust humans again.
The time spent at the Sully Port transitional area for dogs would not aid Waffles. An already anxious dog cannot thrive and decompress in a stressful environment surrounded by other canines.
Waffles was in dire need of a miracle, and Rocky delivered just that: the miracle of music!
The Therapeutic Effect of a Song
A refusal to consume food is not an encouraging sign, particularly if it’s a tasty treat. Yet, Rocky had a trick up his sleeve. His years of working with dogs had taught him a valuable lesson: no dog can resist a bowl filled with pungent-smelling cat food.
It’s the distinct, mouth-watering aroma that entices the dog and encourages them to eat, regardless of their previous food strike.
Finally, a spark of interest could be seen in Waffles’ eyes. She appeared intrigued by the food, which prompted her to take a chance on it. To everyone’s surprise, Waffles enjoyed it!
However, mere acceptance of wet food was inadequate. Rocky needed her to feel more at ease, so he did what he instinctively felt was right: he serenaded her.
As Rocky commenced singing the opening lines of “The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow”, the well-known song from Annie, Waffles initially reacted with indifference.
However, as the melody progressed, Waffles produced a little miracle of her own: her ears perked up, she inched closer, and actually began to listen to Rocky.
By the time the lyrics “Tomorrow, tomorrow, I’ll love ya tomorrow, you’re only a day away” were reached, Waffles had come as close as she dared. She laid her head on Rocky’s leg and finally felt secure for the first time in many years.
Was it due to Rocky’s impressive singing ability, or was it that Waffles simply adored the popular musical number? Perhaps we will never know. What is certain is that Waffles is ready to embrace her future.
Someone Will Care for Her Tomorrow
“You’re a good girl, Waffles. You’re safe now, and everything will be alright.”
Rocky assured her and made a promise.
After Waffles allowed Rocky to escort her for a health assessment in another space, new information about this lovely dog emerged.
It turned out that this older lady is a Labrador Retriever, already documented at the shelter.
Her former name was Shiro Cuma, translating to white bear in Japanese. Clearly, Waffles had a previous caretaker, but where could he be? Why was she abandoned in such a dire location?
The silver lining is that Waffles was deemed a healthy dog. She will remain in Wildomar, California with Animal Friends of the Valley.
Rocky returned to visit her a few days later, yet her previous owner did not appear. Hence, Waffles will soon be available for adoption once she is ready to welcome new humans into her life.
She remains cautious around unfamiliar people, particularly new animals. Nevertheless, the good news is that she is gradually discovering ways to unwind and relax.
Waffles’ evolution into a trusting and functional dog is still underway. It requires time and immense effort to transition from a distrustful dog to one that does trust. Still, she has transformed from a growling pup at the outset to a gal who enjoysAnnie melodies.
Dear Waffles, your new hooman will arrive… tomorrow, someday…
“The sun will shine tomorrow, so hold on ’til tomorrow, come what may.”