I walked into the shelter looking for a friend. I wanted a small dog because I thought I would be one of those girls to carry my dog around in my purse everywhere. I walked around and all the dogs were barking and running around their little enclosures. I stumbled upon you. They called you Oreo because you were black and white. You were curled up in a little ball, not barking, not excited. I thought, “she’s small.” I asked to see you more than through the bars of your enclosure. You stood up as I approached you and I noticed you were a little bigger than I thought. I didn’t mind, you were a gem. Coincidentally, you had a white diamond centered in the middle of the black fur on the back of your neck. We played and you seemed so happy now that you weren’t trapped in there. My little pit bull, so sweet, so sad and so sick. I decided I would take you home. For weeks you were on medication. You were coughing, so much snot was coming out of your nose. I diligently took you to your doctor’s appointments. I was worried and I hoped you would make it through this. Eventually you did. You became so strong and muscular. I wondered how since we went on the same walks, and my legs didn’t look like that. You were now 50 pounds, a long way from the dog that came in as a stray. People say, “it’s so nice that you rescued a dog.” No one ever said how nice it was of her to rescue me. I didn’t keep the name Oreo, you were a Marla Ann. You’re a diva. You sleep with more pillows than people do. You give people the side eye that are acting up. Bikes and skateboards make you feel on edge. You smile when you’re excited. You are always so happy to see me. You always want to cuddle with me, you comfort me when I am sad, when I am cold and when I am happy. You taught me how to be selfless, how to care about something other than myself. I was starting to slip before I found you. You keep me company when I’m lonely, you motivate me when I feel lazy. I may have given you a house to live in, but you made my house a home. I am so grateful for you, thanks for rescuing me.