I wanted a dog all my life. Ever since I can remember, I begged my parents for a dog. I would make contracts promising to take care of the dog, PowerPoint presentations convincing my parents why we needed a dog, and any holiday was an excuse for me to add “dog” to the top of my wish list.

After years of smaller pets like hamsters, fish, and a turtle, sixth grade was when my parents finally caved and told my brother and I that we were finally getting a dog. We were completely thrilled and began the search right away. We knew that we wanted an older dog with some previous training, so we started the search at different shelters around town.

After going to a few places, in addition to searching online, we came across a two-year-old pug/beagle mix named Casey on the Humane Society’s website. We all agreed that she was adorable, so we called to ask about her. We were told that she was in a program at a prison where an inmate trained her for eight weeks, so not only was she cute, but well trained too.

She was found in a trailer park under a porch, and it breaks my heart to imagine her all alone, but luckily she was rescued. We went to the prison to meet Casey and her trainer, and we all automatically fell in love in the prison courtyard. We left with her that day, and never looked back.

Seven years later, Casey is still one of the best things to have happened to us. Much to my dismay, she attached to my dad right away, and he is still her favorite in the family, but we all definitely make sure to get our cuddles in. If there is a blanket on your lap, she will be there. She still knows all her tricks she picked up in prison, and is a huge people-pleaser, as long as there are treats involved.

My family can’t praise the program we got her from enough.

About 3.3 million dogs enter U.S. shelters every year. This number is crazy, and when I imagine all those sweet and loving dogs, I just want to bring them all home. I can’t wait for the day I decide to rescue my own dog, who will be able to make just as much of an impact as Casey has on us.

Don’t get me wrong, I know plenty of people that work with breeders and adopt their dogs as puppies, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, because who can’t resist that cute puppy face? My family just decided that rescuing a dog would be best for us, and she changed our lives forever.

I can’t imagine our lives without her, and this little trailer park dog has left an enormous impact on all of us.