Most people agree that animals bring something extraordinary into our lives. They offer loyalty, protection, and unconditional love. It’s no surprise that many choose to surround themselves with furry companions.
But for some, having pets at home isn’t enough. They dedicate their lives to rescuing and rehabilitating animals in need. One such person is Izaiah Perkins, a young man whose compassion led him to join the Maryland SPCA in Baltimore.
Finding Purpose In The Kennels
To Perkins, dogs aren’t just animals, they’re family. His goal was to give as many as possible a real chance at happiness, which is why he became part of the shelter team.
“The dogs remind me a lot of myself. They have good days and bad days, general preferences, and favorite people, just as we do. There’s a sense of comfort when I go in and see them all, almost like I belong right there with them,” Perkins told Newsweek.
Soon after starting, Perkins met Nola, a three-year-old Pit Bull who had survived life as a stray, wandering the streets in search of kindness.
But shelter life was hard for her. Nola struggled with behavioral issues, which meant Perkins couldn’t interact with her directly. He was limited to cleaning her kennel, offering enrichment toys, and slipping treats through the door.
“When I first met her I noticed how wide her eyes were, it’s what drew me to her. She didn’t wag her tail or come to greet me like most dogs at first, instead, she stayed stiff with fear,” he recalled.
Struggling To Cope With Shelter Life
Perkins soon understood why Nola was under such strict supervision.
She couldn’t handle the shelter environment. The constant noise, barking, and chaos overwhelmed her, pushing her into a state of near panic.
“Her wide eyes were a result of being under constant stress. They almost never relaxed,” he explained.
While some dogs eventually adapt, others like Nola only decline further.
“Some dogs can adjust to the chaos of the kennels, but dogs like Nola seem to just deteriorate. The behavior staff did everything they could, and displayed incredible patience and love with her,” Perkins said.
Time didn’t bring healing. Instead, Nola’s mental health worsened. She began to lash out, and bite incidents were added to her record, making her future even more uncertain.
Still, Perkins remained by her side.
“We would just stare at each other for up to ten minutes. There would be moments where I swore I broke through to her, where I could see her eyes soften just for a second, or a quick tail wag,” he shared.
A Goodbye That Left A Mark
Despite the team’s tireless efforts, Nola couldn’t be placed in a foster or adoptive home. Eventually, the shelter had to make the painful decision to euthanize her.
For Perkins, the loss was crushing.
“Part of me told myself she’d be back and she was just out on a walk, but reality quickly set in. I try not to think too hard about the ‘what ifs’ because all we really have is the moment and I can’t save them all. Her memory is alive in all of us… It’s a shame she reached that point,” he said.
The most difficult part of his work, he admitted, is walking back into a kennel once filled with life and finding it empty.
Nola’s story is a sobering reminder of how human choices shape the lives of animals. Neglect, abandonment, and poor training often lead dogs into situations where they suffer unnecessarily.
“The kennels and what goes on in them is the result of human negligence. Responsibility is the key to avoiding putting dogs like Nola in stressful situations that will deteriorate their chances at a normal life,” Perkins emphasized.
Dogs want nothing more than a safe home and someone to love them. With structure and kindness, they flourish. But without it, they may never get the chance to show who they truly are.
Though Nola didn’t receive the ending she deserved, she had one person who truly saw her, someone who looked past her fear and recognized the soul within. And for that, she will never be forgotten.