Danny
Danny was only a year old when we rescued him. The day we picked him up I seen a frightened English cream golden retriever, who was shaking from the terror that had endured since he was born. Danny was just fur and bones when I adopted him, he was neglected, hungry and left to die. A heartbreaking moment that would change both of our lives for the better.
Six months earlier I had lost my mother and best friend to a long-term battle with MS. It was the worst day of my life. Prolonged feelings of sadness began to kick in and I was a hot mess. I was lost and ready to throw in the towel of life and give up. I spent those next six months with a feeling of emptiness, like an existing void within my broken soul. I needed to make an appointment and talk with a therapist asap. I was later prescribed an antidepressant by my psychiatrist. Therapy helped, but sometimes it wasn't enough. Three rounds of three different antidepressant medications and it didn't do me much justice.
When the medical approaches failed me, a family member recommended a better one. She told me about a dog who was in desperate need of a new home and family. Mind you, I never owned a dog in my life and didn't even know where to begin as far as rescuing one, but it would all fall into place and come together.
Shortly thereafter, we made arrangements to rescue the dog and the minute I seen the trauma behind those puppy dogs eyes, I knew that I wasn't the only one who felt lost. I realized that I needed the dog just as much as he needed me so I took him in. He went by the name Danny, and to keep it simple on him I left his name alone. I didn't want to make things anymore difficult than they already were.
The first week of owning Danny was extremely challenging. He shook like a leaf for the first few days and didn't want to be bothered by anyone or anything. By the second week things eased up and he finally calmed down and came around. He was eating like a normal dog would and I spoiled him with treats, of course. Danny was becoming more affectionate and lovable as time went on. Him and I developed a strong bond in such a short period of time.
That empty place in my heart was no longer empty and my soul was no longer broken thanks to Danny. He filled my heart with all the love that I needed. For me, it was a light of hope that gleamed from the end of that dark tunnel and it was more than enough to mend my broken soul back together.
Danny is my best friend. He always greets me at the door when I get home from work and he's always there to sleep by my side at night. Sometimes he can be a pain in the ass but I wouldn't trade him for the world.