Fear is an incredibly strong emotion that can immobilize us, hindering our ability to pursue things we desire. It holds us back from seizing opportunities and fully engaging with life.
When Waffles came to the shelter in Wildomar, California, she was just another frightened dog, paralyzed by fear.
Her terror was palpable, and Rocky Kanaka could sense it.
This unfortunate rescue was displaying all the signs of distress, leading to a precarious situation. However, Rocky, being the compassionate person he is, felt he could reach her heart.
And he did it through the power of song.
Rocky Kanaka Is Singing With Dogs
He might as well change the name of his initiative from Sitting With Dogs to Singing With Dogs, as what Rocky did with Waffles was truly remarkable.
Upon entering Waffles’ room, Rocky could feel the overwhelming anxiety present in the air. Waffles emitted distress, burdened by her terrible past and thrown into an unfamiliar world full of uncertainties.
Rocky, proficient at reading canine emotions, knew that the best course of action was to patiently wait for Waffles to make the first move.
Waffles’ refusal to eat was concerning. A treat lay untouched in her vicinity, indicating the extent of her stress. It’s evident that she felt utterly overwhelmed.
What’s more troubling is her backstory. Rescuers discovered that Waffles had been abandoned in a dilapidated house, eking out a meager existence on scraps. She endured starvation, leaving her heartbroken and vowing to never trust humans again.
The time she spent at the holding area for dogs was not aiding her recovery. An already anxious dog would struggle to decompress in a high-stress environment filled with other barking dogs.
Waffles was due for a miracle, and Rocky provided it—the gift of song!
The Healing Power Of A Song
Neglecting food intake can signal serious issues, especially when the food is something dogs typically enjoy. Yet, Rocky had a clever strategy up his sleeve from his years of experience with dogs: no dog can resist the allure of a fragrant bowl of cat food.
The enticing aroma is irresistible and encourages even the fussiest eater to partake.
Finally, Waffles showed a flicker of interest in the food, which led her to take a taste. To everyone’s relief, she loved it!
However, mere acceptance of food wasn’t sufficient. To help her unwind further, Rocky instinctively began to sing to her.
As Rocky began singing the opening lines of “The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow,” a well-known song from Annie, Waffles initially remained indifferent.
But as the melody unfolded, something miraculous happened: Waffles perked up her ears, drew a little closer, and started to listen intently to Rocky.
By the time he reached the line “Tomorrow, tomorrow, I’ll love ya tomorrow, you’re only a day away,” Waffles edged closer, ultimately resting her head on Rocky’s lap for the first time, finally feeling a sense of safety.
Was it Rocky’s talent as a singer, or did Waffles simply adore the familiar tune? Perhaps we’ll never know. What’s certain, however, is that Waffles is now open to a brighter future.
Someone Will Love Her Tomorrow
“You’re a good girl, Waffles. You’re safe now, and everything is going to be okay.”
Rocky reassured her.
When Waffles allowed Rocky to take her to the health checkup, they discovered more about this lovely dog.
Surprisingly, this older girl is a Labrador Retriever already registered at the shelter.
Her former name was Shiro Cuma, meaning white bear in Japanese. Clearly, Waffles had a previous owner—one who abandoned her in such a dismal situation.
On the positive side, Waffles was categorized as a healthy dog. She will remain in Wildomar, California with Animal Friends of the Valley.
When Rocky returned a few days later, her previous owner had not shown up. Thus, Waffles will be put up for adoption once she is ready to trust humans again.
Although she is still cautious around unfamiliar people and pets, it’s encouraging that she is slowly learning to relax.
Waffles is still in the process of transitioning into a trusting dog. This journey takes time and considerable effort to go from a distrustful dog to one who has faith in humans. Yet, she has already changed from a growling pup at the start to a gal who enjoys Annie tunes.
Dear Waffles, your new human will come… tomorrow, one day…
“The sun’ll come out tomorrow, so ya gotta hang on ’til tomorrow come what may.”
