I had always wanted a pup of my own, but with so many needing a home, I felt a little overwhelmed. I started volunteering at Austin Animal Center, thinking, “One day I will find my best friend here. In the meantime, I will continue to help.” A couple of years later, I was at the shelter and came across the sweetest little thing. She was dirty and full of parasites. Something inside me told me I should help her, so I proceeded to foster the three-week-old puppy.

When I brought her back home, she could barely walk, and she was not eating. The formula was not sitting well in her stomach, and she was loosing weight. She desperately needed her mother's milk. I thought she would not make it, so I didn't want to get attached. I waited to name her or take any pictures. I just wanted to focus on her health. A couple of months later, I finally decided to adopt and finally name her.

Today, Kiky fills my heart and my life with joy! Now, I take pictures of her almost every day to freeze the good memories. Adopting a shelter dog has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’m very happy I found her.