SHEBA, Home Is Where Your Heart Is , is based on a true story about Sheba, a young shepherd mix that survives abuse and neglect. She was kept outside through freezing winters and had to learn how to survive on her own without her birth family. Sheba risks everything during a daring escape in order to give herself a chance to find the loving family she deserved. Sheba is found by Mary who shows her what love is. SHEBA, Home Is Where Your Heart Is, offers hope in the darkest moments, and inspires you to believe in love to become all that you can be.

Sheba

Home Is Where Your Heart IsBy Midge Noble

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2010 Midge Noble
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4490-8892-7

Chapter One

SURVIVAL

Sheba shivered as the cold wind bit through her wet fur. Standing up, Sheba felt the pull on her neck as the heavy chain clanked against the pole. She circled around several times to stamp out a new bed in the snow. She needed to protect herself from the bitter cold. She curled up into the smallest ball she could make, placing her bushy black-and-tan tail with the white tip over her nose to keep it warm. Her stomach growled, and she could feel her ribs poke into the snow-covered earth. Some life, she thought. I'm stuck here all day on the end of this chain. I can't go anywhere or chase anything.

Sheba felt angry, thinking about the man who had chained her here. My first home, thought Sheba, wasn't great but it was better than this. She had lived there with her brothers, her sisters, and her mom after she was born. Then the humans had given her mom away. Soon after her mom had been taken, her brothers and sisters ran away. Sheba chased after them but couldn't keep up, so she went back home. Sheba could barely remember her birth mom. The family ignored her most of the time, so she spent her days chasing squirrels. She looked for food and learned how to find her way back home after wandering through the woods for miles. Those trips taught me a lot, thought Sheba. I learned how to hunt, how to take care of myself, and how to survive.

Growing up there was nice sometimes. One of the little humans would sneak her some table scraps once in a while and would pet her. The little human had even given her the name Sheba. She had told Sheba it meant "Queen of the Jungle." Sheba thought that was neat, because she believed she was queen of the woods!

One day, a man had come to the house and asked to see the dog for sale. The little human brought her out for him to see.

"Is that dog a watchdog?" he had asked. Sheba remembered feeling uncomfortable around him. She had growled a long, low growl to tell him to keep his distance. The growl, however, had impressed the man, and he thought she would be a good watchdog. He bought her. He picked her up and threw her in the back of his truck bed. They drove a long way up into the mountains. The air was filled with rich, thick smells as they passed cattle farms and horse farms. They finally stopped at a cabin. The man had chained her to a pole in the front yard, and there she had stayed. Sheba never knew what the man did all day. He kept long-white pipes in his truck. Sheba never saw him use them. He left very early every morning and came home late at night. She knew it wasn't that way with all humans. She remembered the kind little human where she grew up. Sheba had overheard the little girl's dad say they couldn't afford to keep her. Just then, the rumble of a muffler brought Sheba back to the present.

Standing to greet the truck, Sheba watched as it slid along the mushy ground. The truck tires made deep ruts in the wet snow. Sheba's keen eyes looked at the man's angry face and watched as he stumbled out of the truck. Sniffing the air, she smelled the same sour smell he often had on his breath. It was the same smell he had when he and his buddies stood around the fire pit on summer nights drinking beer.

Oh no, Sheba thought. It's always a bad night when he's been drinking that much.

"What do you want?" the man hollered at her when he saw her staring at him. "You always want something you two-bit, good-for-nothing dog. Some watchdog. You didn't even bark at my truck. Good-for-nothing dog," he muttered as he stomped toward her.

Sheba backed toward the pole. She was afraid of him when he was like this. He kicked at her but missed, slamming the back door of the house as he went inside.

Sheba thought, All he does is yell and beat me. He thinks I'm no good. Every dog knows you don't bark at your own master's truck. Sheba began whimpering,

Come on, throw something out to stop this ache in my stomach. She whined louder to get his attention.

"Shut up!" the man yelled as the back door flew open. Instead of giving her something to eat, the man stomped over to her with a thick leather strap. He began hitting her with the buckle. Sheba yelped and jumped, tripping over the chain. The buckle cracked against her ribs. Sheba cowered down to avoid the blows.

"Some watchdog! You're a disgrace. I can't believe I bought a worthless mutt like you. I'm not keeping you around anymore. Who needs you?"

Sheba whined as the man stomped off to the house.

Take me back home where you got me, Sheba thought as she whined. If I'm not what you want, please, take me home!

The man came out of the house, and Sheba heard his keys jingle. For the first time in months, Sheba felt hopeful. Maybe he would take her back home! The man unhooked the chain and dragged Sheba into the back of the truck. Sheba lost her balance on the slick truck bed as he threw her in. She struggled to stand up as the man backed the truck up fast and skidded out onto the road. The truck flew around the mountain curves. Sheba couldn't get a grip on the wet, slippery metal. She let herself lie down and slide from side to side.

She started making a plan. Sheba believed that the man was going to kill her. She could tell that they were coming into town and not heading back to her home. She decided her only option would be to jump from the truck. Jumping from the truck could mean death, but it could also mean freedom if she survived. Sheba felt the truck slow down as the man turned onto a long road. I have to do it, Sheba thought, and with that, she jumped and threw herself over the back of the truck!

Chapter Two

THE DARING ESCAPE

Sheba hit the ice-packed road and skidded into a snow bank. She lay still so the man would not notice her. She watched as he drove down the road and out of sight. Sheba perked up her pointed ears, listening, until the truck engine was a distant hum. Only then did she become aware of her body and begin checking for injuries. Her back felt stiff from her fall but did not feel broken. Her jet-black fur was covered in snow. Her chin felt tender, but her teeth did not feel loose. Sheba winced in pain each time she drew a breath. She saw some cuts and scrapes on her legs and on her chest. The caramel color of her chest looked crimson because of the blood.

The snow began to fall harder now, and the wind started to blow. Sheba shivered as the wind whipped through her fur. Sheba thought, I'll freeze to death if I do not find shelter for the night. Her injuries also made her more vulnerable. Hungry wild animals sometimes came down off the mountain in search of food during the winter months.

Sheba pushed her body into a standing position. She yelped as she put her full weight on her legs. Her back paw had been injured too. Sheba put some pressure on the paw and realized she could not go far. She felt the heavy, wet snow covering her fur and decided to dig a hole in the snow bank for the night.

Sheba dug through the crusty top layer of snow. At first, her paws made only scratches on the surface. Then she began feeling the soft snow underneath. Sheba was almost blown over by the wind as she struggled to find good footing on the ice. Finally, she finished her snow den. If I can live through this snowstorm, Sheba thought, I have a chance. Sheba crawled into the hole. As she did, she heard the low rumble of the truck coming back down the road.

Oh no, thought Sheba, he's coming back to get me! Sheba stayed curled up as far back in the hole as possible. She could feel the earth shake as the truck rolled past her den. It slowed down as it passed her, and Sheba held her breath as the truck went on by. She didn't relax until the sound of the truck was completely gone. Sheba closed her eyes, hoping she would still be alive in the morning to open them.

Chapter Three

PANIC!

Sheba woke the next morning to sunshine. It gleamed so brightly off the ice that she could barely keep her eyes open. The morning was thick with the silence of new-fallen snow. Sheba thought, I am starving, but I'm too sore to move. Her stomach began growling. Then she heard the rumble of an automobile, but she knew it wasn't the truck. I'm staying put, she thought. The vehicle came to a stop close to the snow den. A door opened, and Sheba heard footsteps crunching through the snow, getting closer and closer. Soon she was looking at a woman from the opening of her snow den. The woman was looking for something in the trees, and she seemed to be alone. Sheba could not hear or smell anyone else. She sensed that this person was kind, but Sheba's life had taught her to be cautious. It was then that the woman turned and looked right at her. Sheba's muscles automatically tensed up.

"Hey, there," the woman said in a gentle, low voice. "Looks like you've had a rough night. Come here; let me have a look at you."

I want to come out, whined Sheba, but I don't trust you.

"I know what you need. Stay there; I'll be right back." As the woman walked off, Sheba thought, Oh no, what if I waited too long? She could leave and I'd be alone again. Sheba heard the car door open and heard something rustling. Sheba listened as she heard the door shut, and then footsteps coming back toward her. The woman moved a little closer this time and sprinkled some dry dog food in front of the den and then moved back.

"There you go. Come have some breakfast."

Sheba's stomach began growling as she sniffed the air. That does smell good, thought Sheba. I can't stand it any longer. I have to eat!

Slowly inching her head out of the den, Sheba began gobbling up the food while watching the woman the entire time. The woman put down a few more pieces of food and then backed up some more. Sheba limped out of the den toward the food.

"Oh, you're a pretty little girl and you're hurt!" said the woman. "Who did this to you?"

I wish I could tell you, whimpered Sheba.

The woman crouched down while scattering more food out in front of her. Sheba waited for the woman to step back, but this time she stayed near the food.

I really want some more food, thought Sheba, but what if you grab me and take me away to a bad place?

"I'm not going to hurt you," the woman said gently. "Come on."

The woman reached her hand out to let Sheba take a sniff. Sheba noticed the woman didn't smell of fear. The woman placed her hand back down as Sheba began eating.

When Sheba finished, the woman said, "Before you get any more, let's go for a ride. We need to clean up those cuts. The vet is closed today but I will get you in tomorrow."

Sheba started backing up. This is what I thought. She's going to take me somewhere bad. The woman began walking toward a green-and-gold Jeep.

"Come on, girl, you can do it," she called. "Let's go!"

Sheba waited while licking her muzzle to get the last taste of food. What if this home turns out bad too? Sheba thought. What if I get hurt again or chained to another pole? Thinking about how bad her life had been made this decision really scary.

"Come on, girl," the woman encouraged.

Sheba began looking into the woman's gentle eyes and thought; I've never seen that much kindness in anyone's eyes. Sheba began hobbling toward the woman. If there is one thing I've learned, thought Sheba, it's that things change. I've lived at two homes. I've survived loneliness and cruelty, but I've also seen kindness in that little human. I know it's possible. If I choose this human as my new family, I know I will survive it. It might even be better than any place I've been. It will definitely be a new adventure.

Chapter Four

TRUST

Sheba kept moving cautiously toward the Jeep. What will it be like to ride inside of a car? thought Sheba. The woman smiled as Sheba made it to the Jeep.

"Good girl!" The woman kept talking as she bent down and began rubbing Sheba gently. She first rubbed her head, and then her back.

"That's a good girl. Now, let's try to get you into the Jeep. I'll just hold you under your chest ..."

Sheba screamed in pain. She caught her breath as her ribs began aching.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," said the woman. "How will we get you inside?"

Sheba took in a deep breath, and with one painful leap, she jumped into the car.

"My goodness!" exclaimed the woman. "You took care of that!"

The woman got into the Jeep and started it up. The engine rumbled. Sheba could feel the vibration underneath her seat. Laying her ears back, she looked over at the woman, who was sitting there smiling.

"You ready?" she asked.

Not really, thought Sheba. The woman began backing the Jeep up and drove slowly down the road. Wow, thought Sheba, this is neat! I can see out the window, and I'm not struggling to stand up!

"You're a lucky girl," the woman said. "This road leads to the landfill. Not many cars come this way."

Sheba thought, I bet that man was going to kill me and leave me at the dump. I hope I never see him again.

Sheba looked out of the window as the woman turned off the landfill road. Sheba's nose twitched from the good smells coming out of the downtown buildings. She smelled chicken, hamburger, and fish. Yummy! The woman left the main road. The next road was lined with pine trees bent over with heavy snow. After a long time, they pulled up to a small apartment building made out of red brick with a small front porch. Turning off the engine, she said, "This is it. We're home!"

We'll see, thought Sheba.

The woman opened the door to the Jeep. Sheba was dreading this part. She took in another deep breath and jumped from the Jeep.

"Careful, girl!" said the woman. The pain was incredible as Sheba landed on the ground. A sour taste came into her mouth. I'm going to throw up, thought Sheba.

The woman walked toward the apartment. Sheba began looking for a chain or a pole where the woman would put her. Not seeing anything, Sheba started crawling under the Jeep. The woman started calling her.

"Come on, girl, let's go in."

Go inside? thought Sheba. The woman was standing at the door. She went inside and left the door open for Sheba. Sheba was not sure, so she moved slowly and then stopped at the doorway. Sheba began looking around as the woman began taking off her boots and coat. She was nice-looking, with sky-blue eyes, sandy-brown hair, and a wonderful smile. Maybe I am home, Sheba thought as she began walking into the apartment. Sheba noticed the woman was moving slowly, which was helping Sheba feel safe. The woman gently closed the door behind her. Oh no, thought Sheba, I'm trapped!

"It's okay, girl," the woman assured her.

Sheba was watching the woman intently. She put water into a bucket and found some cloth and a tube of something. Sheba sniffed the air, but could not identify the smell. Then, to Sheba's surprise, the woman came over and sat down on the floor next to her.

"I need to look at those scrapes," said the woman. Sheba began moving away.

The woman gently took her paw and began wiping warm water over her wounds.

"I guess we should get to know each other," she said. "My name is Mary. I go to college.

Mary kept rubbing her wounds; the warm water felt soothing. Sheba began to relax, and she lay down as Mary continued to clean her cuts and scrapes. The tube had some thick stuff the woman called antibiotic. She rubbed some into the hurt areas.

"What a good patient you are."

It didn't burn, but it had a strong smell. Sheba licked the spot. Yuck! What a terrible taste, thought Sheba.

"I bet that tastes bad, you silly girl," Mary said. "This is medicine. Don't lick it off . It needs to work. Tomorrow I'll take you to the vet and get those ribs checked out. Until then, we'll think about what to call you. I'm sure you have a name. Let's see, what about Hunter?"

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Shebaby Midge Noble Copyright © 2010 by Midge Noble. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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