The Dog Who Saw Through Me

Some dogs do not just look at you.

They see you.

That is exactly what happened when I met my dog. Let me tell you our story.

I was a junior in college, driving home while listening to the radio when a commercial came on for a Pet Extravaganza. Why not take a look? Walking through the adoption event, I passed the puppies. I passed the small dogs. Then I came to the adolescent tent, and there he was: a little black and white fluff with floppy ears and the kindest of eyes, looking through my soul.

It was the zing. The moment. The thing you cannot fully explain until it happens to you.

I adopted a five-month-old Border Collie and Aussie mix who I later named Marley, and for the first two weeks, he was perfect. When day fifteen came, so did his curiosity. He started getting into everything! So then came the rebellious phase, especially when I left for college classes.

I remember wondering if I could keep up with his behavioral training, the constant high energy, and the patience he needed from me. I wanted to give him a good life, so I pushed through to give him my all no matter what.

Looking back, that became one of the best decisions I ever made.

Marley became an amazing dog with excellent recall. More than that, he became my best friend through the thick and thin. I used to think that gratitude, appreciation, love, pride, and family were things I brought into his life. Over time, I realized that he actually brought them into mine.

People used to say to me, “I wish my dog looked at me the way Marley looks at you.” But I didn’t fully understand what they meant, until Marley met Diana.

From the first day that they met, Marley looked at her that way too.

They fell in love at first sight. I stood in the background, completely bewildered. Who knew she would end up becoming my wife too? Apparently, Marley knew before I did.

That is the magic of adoption. Sometimes we think we are choosing them. Well, they’re actually choosing us.

Misunderstood Does Not Mean Unlovable: The Truth About Rescue Dogs

So many people see rescue dogs as broken when in reality, they’re simply misunderstood.

They may be scared, overstimulated, shut down, mouthy, anxious, rebellious, or unsure of what is expected of them. They may need structure, patience, decompression, training, and time.

But that does not mean they are not worth it.

Marley wasn’t easy every day! He was full of youth, always food curious as well as motivated, extremely energetic with nightly zoomies, full of opinions, and sometimes super stubborn ones. But he was also brilliant, loyal to the bone, witty, deeply loving, and capable of becoming everything I hoped for and more as man’s best friend.

That second chance that he was given changed the trajectory of both of our lives.

Arizona Dog Rescues Giving Dogs a Second Chance

Here in Arizona, we are grateful for rescue partners who believe in second chances too.

Sky Sanctuary Rescue is a Phoenix-based nonprofit that helps vulnerable dogs, including dogs with medical or behavioral needs. Their work gives these animals the care, safety, and the therapies they need before finding the homes they deserve.

***Enter before 8/31/26 @ 12p for a chance to win a custom 2025 Ford Bronco! (And help save dogs!)

Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary focuses on senior dogs, the ones too often overlooked because of their age. Their mission is a beautiful reminder that older dogs still have so much love to give, and that a second chance later in life can be every bit as meaningful.

*** Adoption Story Part 2 coming soon!

Both rescues show us what adoption is really about: seeing the animal in front of you, not their circumstances.

Bringing Home a Newly Adopted Pet?

The first month after adoption is a big transition.

Your new dog or cat is learning your home, your routine, your voice, your expectations, and what safety feels like. Food is an important part of that fresh start, that human to animal bonding connection, especially when their history is a bit unknown or their stomach is adjusting to new environments.

This is why Fetch created our Share the Love Adoption Bundle.

Newly adopted/rescued pets can receive a free first-month food bundle from participating brands in store. Show proof of adoption paperwork to Fetch within 90 days of adoption, and we will help customize a complimentary bundle of a few food products based on your pet’s needs.

A few program details:

• Adopted from a rescue, shelter, or nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization
• Proof of adoption paperwork within 90 days
• Limited to 1 dog and 1 cat per household per year
• Customized products for your pet’s needs
• Excludes pets purchased from breeders
• See store for complete program details

Give Them the Start They Deserve

I used to ask Marley, “When are you going to grow out of your puppy phase?”

And then, when he finally did, I found myself asking, “Are you okay?”

That is the beautiful, impossible thing about loving animals. We get to watch them grow into their true selves, settle into their favorite places, soften into ‘adults/seniors’, and become family. And somehow, even when their time with us never feels long enough, they leave us better than they found us.

I once read a story about a family saying goodbye to their beloved pet at home. Afterward, someone said, “Why do they have to die so fast?”

After a moment of silence, a five-year-old boy answered, “Well, we all live to become good or perfect, right? Maybe they die early because they’re already perfect.”

That saying has always stayed with me.

Because Marley was misunderstood at times. Curious. Rebellious. Growing. Learning.

But, he was also perfect.

If you are thinking about adopting, fostering, or supporting a local rescue, this is your reminder that the dog who needs a little extra patience may also be the dog who changes your life.

And if you have recently adopted, stop by Fetch and ask us about the Share the Love Adoption Bundle. We would love to help you give your new furry friend a healthy start, a little extra support, and the beginning of a life where they know they are finally home.

Note: We’d love to hear your adoption story — come visit us at Fetch so we can hear yours!