Rufus is a 10-year-old senior Boxer recovering in a medical shelter after a serious injury left his chest and abdomen badly bruised, one front leg immobilized in a splint, and his entire body profoundly weak.
After days of treatment, Rufus has very little strength left.
Most of the time, he lies on his side on a medical bed.
His breathing is weak.
He no longer has enough energy to lift his head when someone approaches.
But there is one small movement he still makes.
When footsteps come down the hallway and stop outside Rufus's kennel, his head remains against the bedding.
His body barely changes position.
Then his tail moves.
Slowly, it taps the medical bed a few times.
And stops.
Rufus Used to Have More Ways to Respond
Right now, even the smallest movement appears difficult for him.
One front leg is splinted.
Heavy bruising remains across his chest and abdomen.
His body has become severely depleted after several days of treatment.
Rufus spends almost all of his time lying on his side.
When someone stops at the kennel door, he cannot get up and walk over.
He cannot even reliably raise his head to look toward them.
Instead, the response happens at the other end of his body.
Tap.
A pause.
Another slow tap against the bed.
Sometimes only a few movements are visible before his tail becomes still again.
For anyone who had been watching only his face, it would be easy to miss.
His Head Never Leaves the Bed
That is what makes the scene so difficult to watch.
Footsteps approach.
They become louder.