I remember the day I met Jack like it was yesterday. He looked up at me with those big, soulful eyes… and I was done for. But what I didn’t know then? Rescue isn’t just about saving a dog. It’s about being changed — heart and home.
If you’re thinking about rescuing a dog, or maybe you already did (yay), here’s what I wish someone had told me before I brought Jack home…
1. It’s Not Just a Dog. It’s a Whole Heart.
I thought I was ready. I had the food, the bed, the toys… the cute leash with his name on it. But nothing could’ve prepared me for how much I’d feel. His fears. His joy. His confusion. His cuddles. It wasn’t just about routines — it was about trust. Building it slowly, one day at a time.
2. You’ll Question Yourself… A Lot.
I Googled everything. And I mean… everything. “Why is my dog shaking?” “Should his poop look like that?” (TMI, but real life.) I thought I had to be perfect. But God reminded me — I didn’t have to be perfect. I just had to be present. Jack didn’t need a pro trainer. He needed me.
3. Healing Takes Time — For Both of You.
Rescue pups have pasts. So do we. Sometimes Jack would flinch, and I’d wonder what he’d been through. But I also saw him heal. And as he healed, so did I. God used him to show me what slow love looks like. What grace feels like. What it means to stay, even when it’s hard.
4. You’ll Laugh More Than You Cry (Eventually).
Jack once stole my Bible journaling pen and ran through the yard like he was on a mission from Jesus. I cried the first week. I laughed the next month.
If you’re feeling unsure right now, mama… you’re not alone. God picked you for this dog. On purpose. For a purpose.
It’s not always easy. But it’s always worth it. And one day, you’ll look back and realize: your rescue pup rescued something in you, too.
Paws, prayers, and purpose.
You were made for this.