Eight years ago today I stood in a commuter parking lot along with about 50 other people, an empty leash in my hands, waiting for the dog that would inevitably change my life forever.

If you want more in-depth about that first day, you can read all about it, HERE.

I’ve had a rescue intake coordinator tell me she’s a poster dog for rescue, but that wasn’t always the case. We had a rough and bumpy road in the beginning.

The dog that came off that transport truck wasn’t afraid of people, but she was aloof, almost as if she didn’t have much use for people, or hadn’t learned how to bond with them.

She sometimes listened (some things never change) and could follow basic obedience commands, but she didn’t much care for petting and being loved. It took us some time to figure out that she liked her chest rubbed, she was good about letting you clip her nails, but didn’t like her ears touched and definitely don’t move your feet near hers, especially when she’s sleeping!

Today she actively seeks out affection and has gotten better with allowing people other than my husband or I to love on her. She loves to climb up in my husband’s lap and has even done that with both of my sisters as well.

She mimics Sampson by lying on her back and wiggling around waiting for belly rubs when we come home from work.

Nothing makes me smile more than when I rub her ears and she takes in a deep breath and lets it out with a big sigh.

Or when she rushes to greet me, voicing her joy at my return home.

Or when I climb into bed and she looks back, then leans into me, waiting for me to rub her to sleep.

Or when she stuffs her head between my legs, demanding attention and sitting while I give it.

Delilah, you’ve taught me patience. You’ve brought me joy. You’ve made me laugh when I thought there was nothing to laugh about. You’ve comforted me when I’ve been sad and hugged me when I cried. You’ve challenged me to be a better person and I sure hope I’ve risen to the challenge.

Yes, it’s been a bumpy road, but I wouldn’t trade one second of it. 

Thank you for eight amazing years Delilah Rose, it’s true what they say. One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure and you surely are a treasure to me.

Happy Gotcha day my love.