It was not a surprise to Madison Palm when her furry friend, Cora, proved to be a compassionate canine. Comforting a grieving stranger in the airport was just one more example of Cora’s empathy.
Cora always travels with Madison and is being trained for certification as a therapy dog. Madison explained that Cora has always been empathetic and able to pick up on her needs. Another strong characteristic is Cora’s independence.
The Story of Cora Comforting A Grieving Stranger Begins Here
The two were en route from Idaho to Alaska. Madison currently lives in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho They were flying home to see Madison’s mother when Cora demonstrated her compassionate nature. Although not shocked by Cora’s action, she was deeply moved and a bit surprised.
During a layover at the Seattle airport, a man caught Cora’s attention. He was sitting alone close to their departing gate. Cora sensed the man’s need for compassion. Without warning, Cora calmly walked over and sat down at the man’s feet.
“Before I could even call her she was already at his feet being loved on. I asked him if she was bothering him,” Palm said. “And with a somber face and watery eyes, he said, ‘No, no. I lost my dog last night.'”
Palm was deeply touched that Cora somehow knew that the man needed attention. She allowed Cora to remain with the grieving man for several minutes. Madison recollects the man petting Cora and scratching behind her ears.
It was an emotional moment to witness as the man leaned in to whisper to Cora just how cute she is. Madison believes that Cora has a special gift. She can tell who is hurting and can tell who needs her attention.
Madison was amazed when the man told her that his dog had passed away the day before. She could not help but ask herself just how on earth she got so lucky?
Madison knew that she should not have been surprised. Cora has always been the type of dog to walk up to a crying child and to love on them. She enjoys making people happy and is her happiest when doing so.
How Cora Came to Be With Madison
Madison is employed by her county’s Department of Motor Vehicles. One day, she was taking a break when a co-worker entered the break room. The coworker had been on her cell phone, browsing Facebook.
She had just seen a posting about a dog who had killed the family’s chickens. The family no longer wanted to keep her and was giving the Corgi away. The first person willing to take Cora off their hands could have her.
Immediately, Madison left work. She could not wait to meet Cora. What she found out broke her heart. Madison could see that Cora was undernourished. What little food she had received was the family’s scraps, thrown out into the yard for her to find.
She found out that Cora was an outside dog and had never been seen by a veterinarian. She was not wearing a collar with a tag identifying her, in case she got lost. Cora had already had several litters and nursed many puppies.
Madison Had A Tough Choice To Make
Madison knew the one-dog-limit would be enforced by her landlord, but she could not leave Cora behind. She feared that Cora would be euthanized if she did not find a home quickly. Madison hoped she could find another home for Cora before her landlord kicked her out for having two dogs.
On the way home, Cora crawled into Madison’s lap. From that moment on, Madison never looked back. The rest, as they say, is history.
Poor Cora had a double ear infection and her teeth were rotting. Her first bath left the tub water black. Physically, she was a mess but, personality-wise, she was a jewel in disguise. Cora was, and still is, a sweet, loving and compassionate dog.
This Dog Is A Cuddler
Cora wants to be cuddled. She enjoys being held and would sit in your lap all day long, if you let her, according to Madison. Cora insists on staying close to Madison and keeps a close eye on her if they are separated for any reason. If Madison’s lap is not available Cora would pick the closest lap available in which to sit.
Madison could not bring herself to give Cora away, so they found a new home where both dogs could be part of the family. Both dogs love their new home and enjoy the yard where they romp and play.
Cora Becomes A Therapy Dog
Cora gives great comfort to Madison, who suffers from anxiety. She says that Cora keeps her calm during chaos. Cora is enrolled in the AKC canine good citizen program to become a therapy dog.
Cora celebrated her 10th birthday last fall. They celebrate Cora’s birthday in special ways. For example, on her 8th birthday, Madison gave Cora her favorite dog food and made a little cake with a candle that said 8. They were celebrating more than her birthday. Madison had enjoyed 7 months of Cora’s amazing capacity for love and forgiveness.
Cora Teaches the Meaning of Forgiveness and Unconditional Love.
Then, a few months later, Cora sought out a grieving stranger to comfort in the airport. Once again, Madison was surprised but this compassionate dog all over again. Cora, who, for most of her life, was not given much of a reason to like or to trust humans, but she still does.
Madison says that she is blown away by Cora daily. “Who knew a dog who was unloved for 7 1/2 years could have so much love to give?” asked Madison. “I can’t change her past but I’m doing everything I can to make up for it,’ she further stated.
Madison said that Cora taught her the real meaning of both forgiveness and unconditional love. She taught her that lesson in a way that no human could have managed.
Is There Any Proof That Dogs Know When We Are In Need of Help?
https://happymutt.org/study-shows-your-dog-feels-when-you-are-upset-and-in-need-of-help/
Other Services Dogs Provide
There are many other services that our canine companions can be trained to perform. If you are interested in learning more about them, here is the link for an article on this topic:
https://happymutt.org/dogs-for-persons-with-disabilities/
thanks to our colleagues at:
https://www.today.com/pets/woman-finds-her-corgi-comforting-grieving-stranger-airport-t12346