My partner “happened to be” looking at adoptable dogs on the Animal Humane website. He turned the phone to show me a picture of a catahoula puppy. He looked pathetic: skinny, scared, in need of support. Dallas was his shelter name. Something drew me to him immediately. I saw him the next day.

Animal Humane has a survey about what you as an adopter, are looking for in a dog. My answer: one who could go on outdoor adventures, travel with me, be my best friend always. When the employee asked if I was there to see someone in particular, I said Dallas. She laughed and said “you are not going to get all that from him!” My husband and I were confused as to why she would say that.

They put us in a greeting room, and we waited as they went to go get him. One he came in I realized what she had meant. He was being carried, unwilling to walk.

Being abandoned during critical development puppy years clearly caused some damage. At only 6 months old, he was frightened by the world that had been so cruel.

He laid on the floor in a little ball, untrusting, understandably. Attempting to not stress him more, we waited for Dallas to feel safe before I tried to pet him. Therefore, my husband and I sat on the floor next to him, and calmly had a conversation.

It took 25 minutes for just one leg to relax. Even then, treats we offered him were highly suspicious and gentle touches caused flinches.

We eventually moved to an outside space, and by that I mean he was carried, while I walked. Outside he was more comfortable; he was on all fours and he interacted much more. Our presence was becoming more tolerable to him. Surprisingly, he actually wanted loves, then he would go sniff, and come back for more loves.

At one point a bird flew towards us causing a very visual and emotional reaction from me. (I have an irrational fear of birds). Dallas immediately ran over to me to see if I was okay. I knew I was bringing him home. 

My parents and their dog are a big part of my life, so a meeting with them was crucial. Like always, their dog enjoyed having a friend. However, afterwards, my parents told me I was crazy to take on a dog that would require so much work. I didn’t care, I already loved him. 

He did require work. At home, everything was new and scary. Open doorways were impassable, floor changes were debilitating, learning how to be a dog was overwhelming. 

I hired a trainer for assistance, which was life changing for the both of us. He helped us in experiencing the world in a safe and confident manner. One session he mentioned how wonderful Dallas would be as a therapy dog because of his empathy.

Taking that opportunity, I asked how well he would be as a service dog, revealing that I have epilepsy. That was not something I did comfortably at that point in my life. Epilepsy was not something I had accepted yet. My trainer assured me that medical alerting would be a job in which he would excel. 

In only one year of training, Dallas was confident and proud! He was alerting me before episodes, and keeping me safe during seizures. Adopting him that day at Animal Humane I knew I was saving him, but I could never have expected that he would be saving me. We go on outdoor adventures, he travels with me, and he will be my best friend, always.

If you would like to donate to the Animal Humane visit their Donation page. Or volunteer at your local shelter.