Hinkley. When I first met her she was so timid and afraid. I had to have help getting her back into her kennel on our first walk together because she was so scared and I wasn’t sure if in her fear, she would bite me. She was even ducking when a staff member tried to help her. We got her back in her cage ..It took two of our staff.I quit walking her for about 4 or 5 days. Instead I would come up and talk to her and bring her treats. I wanted to win her over. I noticed she wasn’t getting afternoon walks and my heart started hurting for her. So one day I said,” The heck with this I’m gonna try again with you sweet girl.”I have watched her go from timid and fearful to becoming more and more brave every day. She greets you at her cage with tail wags now and doesn’t flinch any more when I reach down and pet her. With her tail wagging, she tries to go up to others to say hi now.She was so loved by the Dog Squad (volunteers that help walk and care for sick dogs) when she was in ISO (Isolation) with an upper respitory infection and now by several volunteers since back in our main kennels and is such a different dog today.The day before she went into ISO, I had taken Hinkley for a walk. She didn’t flinch one time. As we were walking to her kennel, she went up to 3 of our staff wagging her tail. I wanted to cry. I was watching Hinkley blossom right before my eyes. And not only that but this slow moving, shy dog had pep in her step as we walked.When she was in ISO the first few days, I would sit in her kennel with her sometimes for 20 or 30 minutes at a time trying to coax her out for a walk. When we would come back, I would join her once again in her kennel until she fell asleep while I petted her.Hinkley is back in the main shelter now and feeling good . She stands at her kennel door waiting for someone to walk her.On Sat I was chatting with a fellow volunteer and Hinkley jumped up on me and just stayed there for a few. That was so huge!!!! And in the play yard, I got my first kisses from her. She even sticks her nose in my treat bag with great confidence that her temporary momma is gonna feed her.I wish I could adopt her so badly but it just isn’t possible for me at this time but if we can keep showing her ( and all those shy hurt ones) it’s ok to be loved and love back then just maybe one day that special person will walk in and see this wonderfully happy dog that was meant just for them and a beautiful adoption will happen. That’s my prayer for Hinkley……………and well, for Channing and Roo and Tiny Dancer, Denim and Bella Brown and Daphne and and and and……Every volunteer no matter how often they show up, makes a difference in these precious babies lives. Every time a dog is walked or fed a treat or played with, they get love. Love they wouldn’t have on the streets or in an abusive home. Every time a dog gets adopted, we all do dances in our heart and celebrate online. Love always makes a difference!!!Hinkly is available for adoption at the KC Pet Project at 4400 Raytown Rd in KC. MO.