When I was in 7th grade, a dog followed me home from school. He was malnourished and just in rough shape, but sweet and goofy and just so loveable. My parents said I had to try to find his owners, so I did. Someone recognized him and told me his people didn't want him, so they took him to the park and drove away. That broke my heart. My parents, too.

We spent the next 18 years making sure he knew he was wanted and loved and the Best Dog Ever. 24 years later, I still have a huge picture of him on the wall, and miss him every day.