Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.

A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well. Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

If you have too, send us your rescue story.

Michelle Brubaker
Cody & Bogart

We adopted our cat Cody from the San Diego Humane Society and our dog Bogart from a rescue house in Ramona. My heart melted when I saw Cody curled up in his food bowl in his cage. I picked him up, he instantly purred and I knew I had found THE ONE. I first saw Bogart on a local news station. We met him at the rescue house a few days later, and there were definitely some red flags, but we just knew we were meant to have him. He had a rough start in life, and we could give him the TLC he needed. Four years later and several hours of training school, he is a great dog! Both rescue pets make our home complete, and my husband and I can't imagine life without them.