Magical Little Girl

[Richard Crowe]

We met a magical little girl yesterday.  Katie is nine-years old and she and her mom came to our house to meet and possibly foster a Maltese, Maggie, who had been abused by children and who was terrified of them. We have no kids around our house so we thought that this would be good for Maggie if she could take having a kid around.  Maggie's mom told us that if her daughter couldn't make friends with Maggie, no kid could.

 

I noticed something different about Katie right from the start because Holly came running up to her and just sat down waiting to be petted.  Holly is well behaved but, this behavior was unusual ever for her. Usually she greets people a bit more energetically.

 

When we introduced Maggie to Katie, both of them laid down on the floor facing each other. Katie was very still and had a treat in her outstretched hand.  Soon, Maggie got used to taking treats from Katie but, would not approach  unless there were treats offered.  They sparred like this for a half hour or so.

 

It was then that Katie, sensing something needed to be done to break the impasse, sat up and turned away from Maggie, ignored her, and began talking to her mom.  Amazingly, Maggie ventured up to Katie and nudged her for some affection.  Before the hour was up, Maggie was asleep in Katies lap.  Katie's mom called us this morning to say that Maggie followed her daughter all over the house when they returned home and slept with her.

 

Katie's mom also told us that her dauhter has this type of aura with all kinds of animals.  They go horse riding and there is a stallion which no one can get near but, who is docile as a lamb when it comes to Katie. She is the only one who can ride him but, he is like a little pony when she climbs on his back.

 

I wish I had my video camera to record the interaction between scared Maggie and the calm and reassuring, nine-year old, Maggie.  But, I was glued to my chair in the living room because I didn't want to interfere with that magical moment.  I will just have to retain the moment in my memory.

 

 

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

You're right - Katie does seem to have some magic about her.  Often, today, kids don't have the patience to do what Katie did.  She clearly has a gentle soul that can be read by animals.  So glad that this family will help Maggie learn to love kids.