Inspiration: Where does it come from? Maybe we've experienced a heartfelt act of kindness, or viewed an inspiring piece of art that elevated our hearts and minds. A powerful song or thoughtful commentary can energize us to push through the frustrations of the day, or even those dreaded last steps on the treadmill. Regardless of it's origin, inspiration can help the human spirit overcome the greatest of obstacles. When I think about Gabbey, my adopted Korean Jindo, I see an indomitable spirit that despite the odds, continues to display the innate will to overcome all of the abuse and neglect that has plagued him in the past.
Gabbey was a basket case as a puppy and had already been rejected by two homes who couldn't handle his primitive antics. With his distrustful nature and insecure personality (which would later turn into fear aggression) the odds of him getting adopted into a loving home were slim to none. I already had my hands full with an extremely dominant Akita mix living in a 1 bedroom apartment. But there was something about Gabbey and his desperate situation that I couldn't ignore. As he hovered in the corner cowering in fear, I couldn't come to terms with the fact that something so innocent and new to this world had already been so damaged and misunderstood. Infancy and youth is the most vulnerable state for all living creatures and it was unbearable to see something so young already extremely terrified of this world.
I'm torn because when I adopted Gabbey, I really didn't have the heavily touted "experience" that I currently endorse for prospective Jindo owners, yet somehow Gabbey's spirit and drive to succeed inspired me to never give up, no matter how much he challenged me. He would constantly test my patience and push me to the limits of my sanity, but I refused to give up on him. Now as he snuggles next to me and stretches out into his peaceful bliss, we both can breathe a sigh of relief and reflect on the great places this friendship has taken us. Here lies my little Jindo warrior, hunter, joker and fool but no longer the basket case of his youth. After leaving his trauma behind, he can finally accept love and whole heartedly give it in return; He's a poster boy for why we all deserve a second chance in this sometimes unforgiving world.
For more on Gabbey please visit: http://www.jindotales.com
