When I look at the picture on the left and then the right, I am reminded of a lot of lessons dogs have taught me. More specifically, the lessons MY dogs have taught me. Both my dogs are rescue pitbull mixes. Anyone who knows me at all knows I am a strong advocate for rescuing dogs and the “bully breeds”.
My first dog, Coco, was in a kill shelter after being found roaming the streets in Harlem and the day she was supposed to be put down, a wonderful woman by the name of Chris Pacheco took her in and fostered her when no one else wanted her. Eight months later Chris and I took her in and loved her as much as anyone could possibly love a dog. She has returned that love tenfold to any person lucky enough to meet her. When Chris and I got divorced, we both knew it was best to leave Coco in the home she knew and was comfortable in, so Chris got full custody of her while I, of course, had visitation rights.
Desperately missing the every day companionship of a dog, I went to Mary’s Dogs to adopt a puppy but instead fell in love with a 2 year old pitbull mix named Petey who stole my heart instantly. This guy has brought so much joy to my life in a time when I needed it the most. Despite being found emaciated, malnourished and unloved, this guy puts out love unabashedly and spreads joy unlike anything I’ve ever seen.
Everyone that meets him asks, “is he like this with everyone?” All he wants to do is make people smile and in return all I want to do is give him the best life possible.
These photos side by side both break and melt my heart simultaneously. Both of my dogs – instead of letting a rough time in their lives ruin them and make them understandably bitter and angry, they rose above it (as much as a dog could, I suppose) and just live their lives to the fullest and love with all of their tiny little hearts.
So here’s to everyone rising above the rough times and just living life and trying to spread joy as much as our dogs do.
What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid? 