Nelson

Nelson’s Story: The Moment He Chose to Trust

Sometimes the dog who is meant to be yours doesn’t make the best first impression.

Nelson entered rescue as a stray alongside his buddy. His foster, Coleen Dundon, brought him to meet Sue Malicki and her dogs, Howie and Cooper. Everything seemed to be going perfectly—until Coleen picked Nelson up and handed him to Sue.

Nelson bit her.

Coleen laughed and said, “Well, I guess that’s a no.”

But Sue had a very different answer: “Heck…now he’s staying.”

Sue could see that Nelson wasn’t a bad dog. He was simply frightened. For hours, he walked in circles throughout the house, unsure of his unfamiliar surroundings and whether he was finally somewhere safe.

Little by little, Nelson’s fear began to fade.

Then came the moment Sue will never forget. Nelson jumped onto the couch, climbed behind the pillows and gently rested his chin on her shoulder. Without making a sound, he had decided to trust her.

That was the moment Nelson found his home.

Rescue isn’t always love at first sight. Sometimes it requires patience, understanding and the willingness to see beyond an animal’s fear. Sometimes it means choosing the dog who needs you most—even when the beginning isn’t perfect.

Nelson spent the rest of his life thanking Sue in the sweetest way he knew: by resting his chin on the shoulder of the person who believed in him.

Thank you to Sue Malicki for sharing Nelson’s beautiful story and for opening her heart and home to a frightened dog who simply needed someone willing to give him a chance.

Nelson’s portrait is part of my rescue artwork series celebrating the animals who teach us that trust isn’t automatically given—it is patiently and lovingly earned.