“Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them, filling an emptiness we don’t even know we have.” –Author Thom Jones

Pondering this quote, my thoughts drifted back to my childhood dog, Maggie. Maggie wandered my family’s life over 15 years ago. Before she came, we’d never considered adopting a dog, but after our first day with Maggie, she was ours for good. She was the household family member that we didn’t even know was missing until she wagged her way through the front door. Our lives, and surely Maggie’s, were enriched beyond measure when we found each other. Not every dog is as lucky as Maggie. The majority of dogs don’t have the freedom to find and select their home so people must actively seek their companionship. Hilda is one such dog. Hilda is a spayed female, brown and white Labrador Retriever mix who is around 5 years old. She has been a shelter resident since September 15, 2014 when she was rescued from another shelter. Much of her history is unknown. She tends to like her personal space, but does well with other dogs and is in need of a loving and patient family. I visited Hilda at the shelter. She was having a lazy day until a shelter employee and I took her outside for some fun and a photo shoot! Once outside, she became animated, tail wagging and inspecting areas that have become her favorite check points around the lawn. She had a smile on her face the entire time we were outside but obediently came in when we were done. For more information on Hilda please visit:

www.petharbor.com/pet.asp?uaid=UTAH.A078894 Or contact The Humane Society of Utah

(where it’s always raining cats and dogs) at (801) 261-2919.