We brought him home on December 8, 2006. He was this tiny little thing in a cardboard box. We drove him home through snow in our Suzuki. The poor pup was scared and shivering. At the time, I was halfway through seventh grade. I didn’t know it then, but he’d turn out to be my saving grace on more than one occasion.

Bruce Indy Brancato was the name we decided as a family. We couldn’t pick between “Bruce” and “Indy”, so we let him have both. (Now he knows if he hears “Bruce Indy” he’s in some real trouble.) He was so dorky looking at first. He had massive ears that just didn’t stand up on their own like a German Shepherd’s ears should. His legs were thick and his paws hinted at just how big he’d really become. His back legs were faster than his front legs, so he’d often do somersaults while running. He had the color of a shepherd, but the double coat of a husky.

Bruce was something else.

After all the potty training, basic command teaching, socializing, and more, anyone who knew Bruce knew they were safe with him. He was – and still is – the protector of the neighborhood. He is a kitten saver (he found a kitten trapped in a storm drain and alerted humans to come save the poor little fella). He’s the guardian of children. He’s the keeper of the yard – warding off moles and groundhogs.

But most importantly, he’s my hero.

Before I get to how he saved me, you need to know that this dog is ridiculous. He’s got one heck of a personality. He’s sassy, funny, grumpy – you’d swear he’s a person. He even rolls his eyes and gets huffy when he doesn’t get a bite of that cheeseburger you’re holding. He’ll pout if you forget to bring home a doggy sundae for him too. He loves rough-housing with Dad. He’s super jealous if Dad hugs Mom, so he’ll wiggle his big butt right between them as if he’s saying, “Hey! I want some affection too”. If anyone tried to hurt my sister or me – even if it was just pretend – he was right there to stop it. Mind you, his bark is so much worse than his bite. If the house ever got robbed, Bruce would greet the bad guy with a wagging tail because he loves people. His favorite time of year is Christmas because he gets to see Santa.

Bruce also has his own kitty. Her name is Wanda Talula and we brought her home roughly four years ago. Bruce disciplines her when she does something she shouldn’t (like jumping on the dining room table). He cuddles with her and plays with her too.

Now that you’ve got a taste of what Bruce is like, I think you should know that he must be an angel in disguise.

I struggle greatly with General Anxiety Disorder and depression. I’ve struggled with them both for quite some time now. On days when I feel my worst, my big ol’ buddy Bruce is right there. His fur has soaked up more tears than any Kleenex ever has. He just knows when something is wrong. He’ll cuddle with me until things calm down again. I could lay on the floor with him for hours just listening to him breathe. In those moments, every negative thought and feeling would vanish. It’s just him and me floating along in the calmness of his breathing. His chest moves up and down, and up and down, and up and down…

I had some rough moments in college. I honestly didn’t think I’d be able to push through. Yes, I did battle with thoughts of suicide. It was not an easy time. But when I went home on the weekends, I’d talk it out with the big furry guy. He’d listen patiently, then give me hugs by scooching close to me and putting his head on my shoulder. He let me know that everything would work out. On days when anxiety got the best of me, he stayed close. He’d always be in the same room. He may have looked like he was sleeping, but I know he kept one eye on me. He’s a big brother to me and I trust him with my life. He’s saved it so many times I’ve lost count.

Now that he’s older, he doesn’t come to me quite as quickly. He much prefers laying on the floor to sitting up and hugging. He’ll be 11 this year. When the time comes to say goodbye, it will be hard. However, I will always look back on my time with him as a lesson on resilience, perseverance, loyalty, and love. Bruce hasn’t just helped me through anxiety and depression. He helped me love more, push harder to achieve my goals, never give up, and he helped me realize the importance of staying true to myself, my family, and my friends.

Bruce Indy Brancato is the dog who saved my life and I’ll always love his big fluffy butt.