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Maya is my little miracle, my "silver lining." Looking back, she's the one that rescued me - not the other way around. 

I adopted Maya from our local SPCA. She was found on the streets downtown at just 10 weeks old. As soon as her photo was posted to the SPCA's Facebook page, a friend of mine sent me the link.

I broke my hip that January, when I was just 22, and was on bed rest for months after. I was in a very bad place mentally, finding no point to get up in the mornings. I thought I'd hit an all time low, and that's where Maya came in.

After a few days of convincing my parents, we came to the decision that we would bring Maya home with us. The adoption paperwork went through, and in May, I had adopted my first shelter puppy.

The reason I say Maya is the one that rescued me is simply that she gave me a reason to wake up every morning, and a reason to get myself better. She had me up at the crack of dawn in the mornings and was a big part of my rehab in getting my hip back into shape. We started walking, and as time went on we started running.

In June of that year, I had to get hip surgery. Maya was still small at this time, so she was allowed to make the anxiety filled four-hour drive and stay at the hotel with us. She helped keep me calm and she was there waiting for me when I woke up. As days went on, and we had to do the rehab process again, Maya was there by my side through it all. She was my silver lining, and to this day she helps me see the light in the darkest days.

She may be a rescue dog, but to me, that's the greatest dog there is. I gave little Maya a chance and adopted her into our family, and she turned around and saved me. She is and always will be my best friend.

Story submitted by Deanna from St. Stephen, Canada.

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