by .: T O K I :.
Name: Goliath
Gender: Male
Species: American Pit Bull Terrier
Personality: When you first meet Goliath, he isn't very outgoing. He'll shy away from loud noise a stranger makes, bolt if they make a quick movement and overall have a low output of confidence in himself and others. His trust must be earned and that isn't an easy task. He is very standoffish with other unknown canines, though he doesn't run from them as he would a human or larger mammal. He will stand his ground, calm and proud, with little to no aggressiveness in his unyielding stance. After a day or two of seldom interaction with a stranger he may be inclined to linger around more often, and -if he finds them worthy- extend his friendship.
Goliath is a generally friendly dog once his trust is gained. He dislikes children and young animals, but isn't malicious if they annoy him. If one happens to pull an ear accidentally the very least he will do is get up and walk far away from the baby creature. He has a soft spot for kittens, for their independent nature and mischievous persona, and he likes to keep a nice distance from rowdy, romping puppies.
Goliath is very different from the impression one would get from his name. He's quite sweet, definitely not a giant. His heart is walled off from the world to protect himself from future pain, but sometimes... Sometimes someone will slip through the cracks and warm his weary soul. Few have made it so far, so close to his heart. Those that have will find endless loyalty in a faithful friend.
History:
Do not judge me for the failures of many, or for the accomplishments of one. Judge me alone, for I am like no other.
The earth was cruel, a place only for the strong where the weak were cast aside and forgotten. Rain came down in sheets; thick, fat drops stinging the hide of any unlucky creature stuck out in the weather. The ground was slick and wet, mud churning up brown puddles on the old, dirt road. The trees were heavy with rain, the branches bowing and swaying harshly with the sharp, cutting wind. Lightning flashed in vicious streaks across the dark clouds; even in the middle of the day the sky was dull and slate.
On the far side of the road, nestled in the short brush beneath the hanging branches of an oak, was the faint shape of an animal. Soaked to the bone and shivering, it was a pitiful sight. The regal, white colored face was a sad offset against its chocolate, guarded eyes. Mottled red and white marked the canine’s body in a splashed pattern, the faint scars on his back barely visible through the thick rain. They were small, thin slivers of hairless, raised flesh, not particularly gruesome but altogether thought-inspiring none the less.
Any normal person would automatically think that the poor beast had been through the heartless trials of dog fights. Upon a single glance at his face, the shape and distinctiveness of a much hated breed, they would assume he was a danger to their children, friends, and family. Without so much as a chance, they would turn their face away with a hardened heart a bone deep fear of the unknown. Some may have given him a pitying look; others, the grimace of unjustified hate.
He would be judged by a single glance, without a second to listen to his story. What looked to be long-healed injuries from the dog fighting ring was indeed a wrong assumption. And that would be the first thing many would assume. Instead, it was the love shown from his owners, a love that he craved and pined after. A love that was thrown in his face. His love for them, his humans, had been unending. And instead of returning that sweet, gracious love, they gave him hate and hurt. It was what fate had doled him, before they had dumped him on the one way to nowhere road. And still, despite their hate, he missed them. He missed the warmth and the dry and the feeling of a full stomach.
An old car clunked its way down the slick, muddied road, bumping along with the uneven path. The brake lights lit up as the car stopped not five feet from the dog, and a window slowly rolled down. The dog’s tail thumped, unheard in the pouring rain, as he saw the face of man. The car horn beeped loudly, frightening the timid canine into flinching, before an object was thrown from the window. It hit the dog’s paw cruelly and he yelped, backing away from the object that brought him hurt. The small, empty bottle wasn’t all that frightening up close. The car sped off after that, leaving the dog soaked to the bone and shivering in the elements.
It wasn’t long after when the sky ceased her tears; thunder rolled and rumbled across the earth as the water soaked into the ground. The canine huddled under the shelter of his tree as water drops trickled from the branches above him. The roar of an engine frightened him into shivers as a large truck traversed down the mud-churned road. A branch cracked and fell behind Goliath, spooking the dog into running into the middle of the road. He froze, staring down the beast that smelled of oil and metal. Breaks squealed as the truck came to a sliding stop, mud splashing everywhere. The horn blared as the driver leaned on the steering wheel, urging the stock-still dog to move it. He didn't.
The truck door opened and out popped a two-legged, walking through the mud with under-their-breath mumbles and groans. Goliath stared at the man, and the man stared at him. Long seconds went by, covered by quiet patience as the earth breathed.
"Well, now. What are you doing all the way out here?" the man asked, as if the dog would answer him. Goliath cocked his head to the side, tail thumping waywardly in the mud at the human's gentle tone. "Well, come on then, let's go," the man said softly, crouching and stretching out a hand. The pit bull was hesitant as first, watery eyes darting towards the forest, safety, and towards the human, danger. With faith, Goliath extended his nose and gingerly sniffed at the human's hand. His ears twitched when the man slowly reached to pet his head, expecting a harsh smack and cruel words. He didn't get them.
The earth was kind, a place where the weak received mercy and the strong thrived.
Don't judge me. You only know my face, not my story.
Anonymous.