Nadia of Belarus — The Girl Who Brings Them Home

Nadia of Belarus — The Girl Who Brings Them Home

Age: 14
Country: Belarus

Nadia has never met an animal she didn't think needed her.

This is occasionally a problem.

There was the injured bird.

The frog she carried home in her pocket.

The neighborhood cat Nadia fed for three weeks before discovering that he had a perfectly good home two streets away—and apparently had been enjoying dinner at both.

And then there was Misha.

Misha was supposed to stay for one night.

That was six months ago.

Nadia would like the record to show that she never formally agreed to the phrase one night.

Her younger sister Katya says this is because Nadia knew exactly what she was doing.

Nadia considers this an outrageous accusation from someone who once spent an entire afternoon trying to remove a chicken from her Minecraft house.

The sisters are different that way.

Katya likes building worlds on a computer.

Nadia prefers the world that is currently sniffing, hopping, chirping, shedding on her clothes, or attempting to lick her directly across the face.

Misha specializes in the last one.

At fourteen, Nadia has become the person neighbors call when an animal needs help.

A dog wandering without its owner?

Nadia.

A baby bird somewhere it shouldn't be?

Nadia.

Something suspiciously furry underneath the garden shed?

Definitely Nadia.

She's also begun volunteering at a local animal shelter, where she fills water bowls, folds blankets, brushes dogs, and spends time with animals waiting for homes.

Her favorites are the frightened ones.

The ones who hide at the back of their kennels.

The ones who aren't ready to trust a hand reaching toward them.

Nadia doesn't rush them.

She sits nearby.

Sometimes she talks. Sometimes she reads. Sometimes she does nothing at all.

And eventually, every once in a while, a nose appears.

Then a paw.

Then one cautious little step closer.

Nadia thinks those moments are better than almost anything.

Because she's learned that love doesn't always arrive the same way.

Sometimes love is quiet and patient and waits until you're ready.

And sometimes love launches itself into your arms and licks your entire cheek.

Misha specializes in that too.

Someday Nadia wants to work with animals. Maybe she'll become a veterinarian. Maybe she'll work in rescue or wildlife rehabilitation. Maybe she'll create a sanctuary of her own.

She's fourteen.

She figures she has plenty of time to decide.

For now, there is Misha.

There are animals who need someone patient enough to sit beside them.

And there is one very important rule at home:

Nadia is no longer allowed to bring anything living through the front door without asking first.

The family has specifically clarified that this includes frogs.

Katya insisted.

Her dream: To spend her life helping animals feel safe, healthy, and loved.

Her wonder: “How do animals know when they've finally found their person?”

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