I remember when we got our first dog. My now-wife left us alone in the pet store for a few minutes where they had held the adoption event, and I remember our new dog looking back at me with questioning eyes from the end of the leash, worried, not understanding what was happening and trying to find some reassurance from these unfamiliar humans.

I was terrified of being alone with her. I didn't know what I was doing being totally responsible for an animal, and it clearly made an impression. I saw her reaction change immediately from "Is everything going to be alright?" to "We're going to die. We're definitely going to die!"

That is a magical picture. I know how much time and effort goes into reaching that point and you're a good person for doing it.

Ours fell asleep on us the first night and has been a pain in the ass sleeping between us in our bed since that first time over a year ago. Wouldn't have it any other way though.

We picked her because she was all over us the second we were with her in the shelter

My dog is cuddly, but from a distance. So she'll lie on my bed, but back-to-back with me, not draped over me. Or have her paws stretched out touching me. But she's not much for actual hugs or being petted while trying to rest. So it's still special the rare times she lies on me like this. The ultimate trust.

I feel like that dog’s theme song is a rickroll on repeat

It took months for our rescued dog to truly settle in. I thought he didn’t have a wag. Never wagged his tail. Little by little though we got a wag. Just one lil swish to start but as time went on he got more confident. Now sometimes he wags his tail as he dreams and I think that yeah, finally now he’s happy. You have to have a lot of patience, I can’t say it’s been easy, but I’m so glad we found him!