We always had pets when I was growing up and as an adult I longed for a dog of my own.  I knew all the reasons not to get a dog -- I lived in an apartment, I worked long hours... But one day I went to the shelter and a skinny black lab climbed out of his kennel to get to me.  He had some issues but I found a great trainer, educated myself, and we worked through it.  Ten years later he is still by my side, happy, healthy and thriving.  He is a brilliant and funny dog who makes me laugh out loud every single day and I cannot imagine my life without him.  I’ve heard people say our dogs choose us.  Wilbur chose me, without question, and that was my lucky day.

Adopting Wilbur opened my eyes to the fact that our shelters and streets are overflowing with wonderful, beautiful dogs willing to be great pets if someone would just give them a home, some love and time to settle in.

Three years later I rescued Sienna.  She’d been abused and mostly hid under the bed.  A trainer said she needed a younger dog to nurture, so I went to the shelter and brought Oliver home.  He filled the house with youthful exuberance.  And so it began... a parade of more dogs than I can count.  Some were fosters who stayed a short time before moving onto their forever homes, others lived out their lives with me, and some are still here.  But I wanted to do more to help others who weren’t as lucky as my dogs.  I became aware of great rescue groups doing great work.  So I fostered when I could.  I volunteered at adoption fairs when I had time.  I donated money when I had it to give.  I did what I could.  When people ask how they can help, the answer is -- do whatever you can.  Every little bit helps.

Five years after I adopted Wilbur, I sent a card to the shelter where I got him.  I wrote, “I hope that all your adopters feel the way that I did when I took my dog home -- that I got the best one.”  We hope you feel that way about your dog too.