Zoey is a three-year-old blue heeler/beagle mix. We adopted her when she was only two-and-a-half months old, when we went to an adoption event on Valentine's Day, "just to look." There were so many dogs of all ages and sizes—I wanted to adopt them all! But then we approached a kennel with four little puppies inside. Their mom, Marney, had been rescued on the road in Hearne, Texas, pregnant with seven pups.

Their blue heeler markings and beagle ears immediately caught my attention! I made eye contact with one of the puppies, and my heart melted! I asked if I could hold her, and as soon as I wrapped my arms around her, I just knew she was meant to come home with us. This fifteen-pound pup had won my heart, and I had to have her. We brought Zoey home the next day, and our lives did a whole 360!

Although Zoey didn’t have the “typical” rescue story—she's never had a day without love—she definitely rescued me! At the time I had just moved to a completely new city, didn’t know anyone, and was working and going to school full time. Needless to say, I was a mess! But Zoey always brought a smile to my face and kept me on my toes. She taught me how to be responsible and how to love unconditionally. She truly is my baby! She brought me out of my darkest place and into the best place I’ve ever been! I definitely can’t imagine life without her, and I’m so thankful she rescued me.