As he turned the corner with those big bright eyes, I felt myself become nervous. My hands were sweating and my heart started beating faster with every second. We were both hesitant to move towards one another, waiting for the other to make the first move.  After a few seconds of wide-eyed surveillance and complete stillness, I took the first step and he followed right after.   Slowly I leaned into him, unsure of how he would respond, and to my enjoyment was met with affection and a warm embrace. All of the anxiety immediately disappeared and was replaced with a sense of peace. This was exactly the moment I had been waiting for all these months, when talking about it felt like a distant dream. We had finally found each other and it was official: he was mine, and I was his.

Everyone watched with smiles from ear to ear and I knew their thoughts echoed mine: a match made in heaven.  He was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, and I knew by his reaction that I was a site for his sore eyes.  Knowing the rejection and hardships he’d suffered, I wanted nothing more than to be the one to save him.  The one who gave him shelter from the cold nights and long days.  I wouldn’t just be his friend but I would be his guardian, and he my protector.

Finally as I leaned in to give him a kiss, I felt his cold nose press against mine and I just knew.

This was my dog.

(me & my little man back in April 2010 when he first caame home aka best day ever)