So when I had the chance to adopt my own Cavi in February of 2015, I didn't pass up the offer. I became the proud mom of a tri-colored, six-year-old pup named Trixie. Anyone who has ever came in contact with my dog knows that she is quite possibly the sweetest puppy in the whole world. Her favorites include-- sleeping all day long, climbing upstairs but then refusing to climb down them, belly scratches, running frantically for no reason at all sometimes, and glaring at her mom when I'm loving on any other dog that isn't her. Oh and not to mention snuggling with and being spoiled to death by "Grandma and Grandpa" (they refuse to be called that yet, but it's basically who they are) every time we take a trip home.

This is when the classic proverb of "don't judge a book by its cover" comes into play though, because as you can tell from the picture above, Trixie wasn't taken care of as well as she deserved to be.

I hear it all the time. "What's wrong with your dog's eye?" "Why does she only have a few teeth?" "You sure that's not some sort of disease in her eye?" "She looks so unhealthy." I get so many remarks about my dog's physical appearance that it can sometimes become frustrating. Why does my dog have to be perfect like the ones in the pictures or on dog shows for you to give her a compliment? Sadly, that is the reality for most rescue dogs. And I think that is probably the worst thing you can say to someone who has decided to open their heart to a rescue dog.

Honestly, I don't know a whole lot about Trixie's life before being adopted. I know that she was used as a breeding dog, was probably the runt of her litter because of how small in stature she is, and she had probably never felt real grass or been outside a whole lot before I got her. I know she has a heart murmur, and her left eye is constantly dry because of scaring. She constantly scratches for some reason despite how many baths I give her or medicines she takes. My dog is definitely not perfect, I know that better than anyone. But she is mine and I am hers, and not a single thing you say about my dog will make me love her any less.

I know her eye looks awful sometimes. I feel like I am constantly taking her to the vet to be checked out. But she is on all of the right medications to help her, and more importantly, she is happy. The difference in her behavior from just a year ago is incredible. She went from this small, frail dog who wouldn't even step on the grass in my backyard to stopping to sniff everyone we passed as we went on our daily walk. I do not regret anything about adopting Trixie. The only thing I regret is letting six years pass before she finally found her forever home with me.

They say that whenever you adopt a rescue dog, they really end up rescuing you, and I don't think there has ever been a more relevant saying in my life. I will love and care for Trixie until her last day, and even beyond that. I wish that others would see past her appearance and realize what a sweet dog she actually is. She doesn't deserve the ridicule she gets from people sometimes, but I try my hardest every day to make sure she knows how much she is adored.

If you ever get a chance to rescue a dog, I hope you don't hesitate. They have so much love to offer, despite what horrible things happened to them before they met you. Give them a chance, even if they look a little rough around the edges, and I guarantee they will give you all of the love and loyalty you could ever want.