We’ve accepted that he’ll never really trust humans again, and that includes us.
He still maintains a 6-foot safety zone around himself into which no human is allowed. We’re able to brush him and feed him and care for him, but other than that he would probably prefer that we did not touch him. We respect that and try to keep things on his terms.
Imagine my surprise this morning when he came up to me out in the yard and nudged my hand with his nose, asking to be touched. These are rare moments.
There have only been a few times that he’s given me this look, and I knew he was really seeing me. I see this look in his old eyes and I know he’s OK, and it gives me peace. I hope he feels peace, too.