We cannot thank the Humane Society enough for all the help and support they gave us when we adopted Blacky.

A year before we got Blacky I went to the Humane Society looking for a cat. I found an older cat named Daisy, who has been so much fun in our home. In October of 2009 our little boy Ty was born. In March of 2010, I came home late from work and my husband said, “I’ve been thinking we should really get a dog.”

I could not believe the words coming out of his mouth. A DOG? I had for sure thought that our family was complete. “You don’t even like dogs I responded.” The next day we were at the Humane Society looking at dogs. We had a long list of requirements. Must like cats, Must be older and well behaved, must be calm with babies and kids, must be able to run long distances and must love us unconditionally.

For the next five days the staff was so patient and helpful! We thought we had decided on a dog we liked but then after the cat test we found out if we still wanted our cat, we had to pass on that dog. After 5 days and countless hours, my husband and I were about to give up. We drove home devastated that there was not a dog for us, which fit our list of requirements.

The next morning I went back. My husband met me after work and we found Blacky. He had only been there a day, and he was waiting for us. They cat tested Blacky and found him to care less that a cat was in the same room. The staff went over his history and remarked “wow, you are getting pretty much the perfect dog.” Sure I thought what’s the catch?

For the next 3 months after we had Blacky, I keep wondering what's wrong with him? Why would someone give him up? I don't understand. I keep waiting for him to tear up stuff, become aggressive or some other bad behavior that would make you get rid of a dog. While there are many things we don't know about his life we do know this. He has an unconditional amount of love to give.

He's my sidekick he follows me around all day and by my side twenty four seven. He's my training partner no matter if its the crack of dawn, or right before the sun goes down he's ready for our training run. Blacky pulling me the first two miles and me dragging him the last three. If I'm on the treadmill he's right by the side waiting to slime me if I get off.

He let's Ty use him as a step stool, crawl all over him and shove chapstick down his throat (true story) and yet he's still as happy as can be to be here. Those two are the best of friends and the best at getting into trouble together.

I'm pretty sure my husband knew I needed Blacky more than I did. Its weird how that works out. I have a half marathon coming up the end of the month and I'm pretty sure I couldn't do it alone. That's when I call in my sidekick, and don't worry he'll be there one of us dragging the other. I know he needed us, and he was waiting for us. But the truth is, we needed him so much more.

Thank you again to the humane society for making our family whole!

"Dogs are not our whole life -- but they make our life whole."