She is a good girl.

Hello Imgur! Long time lurker, first time OP. In honor of NationalDogDay, I wanted to make a post to tell you about my awesome dog, Valery. Sorry in advanced for the novel! This is when I first got her (sorry for potato ... It was a flip phone).

I got her the year after high school right around Valentine's day (hence the name). A family member bought her off of eBay of all places. Turns out the family was selling her cheap because she was "damaged goods". As you can kind of see here, she has a scar in her middle going from her stomach to her back. Supposedly, she was attacked by her mother and they had thought she died. No matter to me, I wanted her to be safe at home with me.

Anyone who knows me know the best way to get me to do something is to that I can't. So when someone had the mind to tell me that I couldn't train a dog, let alone a pit bull, I took it further. We trained and took a lot of classes. We eventually got her Canine Good Citizenship and then fully certified to become a therapy dog. I started out at nursing homes then took her to out local hospital every weekend to the peds and oncology floor. No pictures of her working bc of HIPPA and all.

This dog has been there for everything, including my wedding. When we went to the hospital, there's a reason we frequented those floors. At the time, my 16 year old brother was in hospice because of osteosarcoma. I got her right around when things took a turn for the worse. Seeing him happy with her is what inspired me to have her certified. This dog has really gone through some of life's pinnacle moments with me. I can't say I would have been able to make it as well without her. She has been through my entire college career, the passing of two close family members, my marriage, and buying my first house.

Here she is sunbathing. A favorite of hers.

Window watching.

Pitburrito. She insists on sleeping under the covers.

She is really quite lazy and enjoying her retirement from being a therapy dog.

Banana for scale.

Thanks for reading! Everyone thinks their dog is the best and everyone is right. Make sure you give yours a big hug today!