It all begins with a picture.

Flashback to May 12, 2013 when I first saw pictures of Jasmine, I knew I had to go and get her. Jasmine was four years old and my childhood friend had fallen on hard times and could no longer take care of her. I was not planning, nor looking, to get a dog but when I scrolled past her smiling face it all changed.

My friend warned me that she was, “skittish” and “could be aggressive” but I didn’t see that. I couldn’t believe it, not with a smile like hers. So off I went, on a mission with nothing else in mind but saving this sweet, big-headed, baby girl. When I arrived, I didn’t know what to expect. Of course, inside I heard barking and excitement and my friend telling her to settle down, to no avail, and then he opened the door.

WOOSH!

Out dashed Jasmine: smiling, tail wagging, bunny hopping, just a ball of excitement and she was bee-lining straight towards me. It was as if I had raised her her entire life. She came straight to me, laid on her back for some belly rubs and practically begged me to put her collar on. As soon as the collar was on she never left my side. Ever. As a matter of fact, it’s been 10 years and she’s still by my side, young at heart as the day we met.

I didn’t just pick up a dog that day, I picked up my best friend.

And it all started with a picture.