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This is my handsome boy, Cash. We adopted him in November 2023, roughly two months after our son passed away from cancer. I had wanted a pit bull since childhood, and I finally had my chance when we went to our local shelter to donate wet cat food. I signed us up to meet him, and we waited.

Amy Simmons

When Cash was ready, we were placed in a room and he was brought in. It was love at first sight. He was too skinny — we could see his ribs and spine — and he was terribly stinky, but he was just as happy as ever. He was 1 year and 1 month old at the time.

After bringing him home, it didn’t take long to realize he had been abused at some point in his young life. He was terrified of plastic hangers. At just the sight of one, he would lower his head, pin his ears back, and tuck his tail. At first, I simply made sure he didn’t see me using them. After a couple of months, I slowly began putting laundry away while he was nearby. Little by little, he realized I wasn’t going to hurt him.

We have now had him for 2 years and 3 months. He gets along wonderfully with our 7-year-old cat — sometimes they even play together in the most hilarious ways. He is now 3 years old, extremely healthy despite two knee surgeries last year, and every bit as happy as the day we met him.

Cash came to me at a time when I was emotionally shattered. He truly helped me pick up the pieces. I believe our son helped us find him. I believe he knew we needed a new dog.

Cash is considered a rescue because he found himself in the same shelter twice before even turning a year old. But truthfully, he rescued me. Surviving and continuing to live after losing our son is the hardest thing I have ever done. Even after more than two years, it is something I deal with every day. I am so thankful for — and incredibly lucky to still have — the love of my pit bull to help me through it.

Story submitted by Amy Simmons

This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Share your very own rescue story here!