I gave Mama and Hija space when I visited, not wanting to scare them. But they quickly became my favorite dogs at the shelter. I could sense how special both dogs were. Despite what they’d been through, they were gentle souls.

Have you ever heard someone proudly tell you their purebred dog “came with papers”? Sadly, they’ve been duped.

 Frankie looked up and seemingly said “Oh there you are!” It was like two long-lost friends reuniting. Frankie, who had been abused by a man, had no fear. He ran up to Bryan and melted into his arms. It was better than a scene from a movie. It was two souls in real life who were meant to be together.

While sometimes it might seem like walking your dog is a chore, look at it a different way: Walking with your dog is a privilege, a gift. It’s an opportunity to spend time with your best friend, to enjoy nature together, to meet new friends, and to slow down your life and relax together.

She was thirteen years old and had the longest toenails I’d ever seen. They made it difficult for her to walk. She had a big red “E” on her cage card.

If you’re not sure how to go about adopting a rescue dog, and feel intimidated trying to figure it all out, I’ve got you covered.