After serving in the United States Marine Corps, I had been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. While overseas I had the opportunity to interact with many German Shepherds that were part of the military. When I returned from Fallujah, Iraq, I had insisted we bring a German Shepherd into our family. I didn't see it yet, but would later realize this was a coping mechanism that would help me tremendously. The GSD shared many traits I had adopted from my time in the USMC, and my relationship with my new puppy immediately took off.

The ten years I was blessed with Riddick had such a positive impact on the inordinate stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms I would often encounter. Losing Riddick was hard. My wife would observe my anxiety and stress levels rise beyond normal, knowing Riddick was gone and my ways of dealing with relief had changed. At times I would find myself sitting in the parking lot of the veterinarian office where Riddick left me.

I wasn't sure if I would ever get another dog, even though the memories were great, the loss was just too painful. One day, while on Facebook, my wife randomly came across a picture of Zeus. A lonely, sad, and helpless dog in a shelter across the country. We both took one look at his face and knew he was meant to be a part of our family.

Zeus was said to be "too far gone" by the shelter. Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue disagreed, begging and pleading to take custody of him. They believed that there was someone out there that had been searching for him, someone that needed him as much as he needed them. They were right. Zeus had a variety of problems, he was extremely underweight, had severe mange, a secondary bacterial infection leaving him with barely any hair, he was heartworm positive, and lived a life full of neglect and abuse.

He was saved from the shelter and sent to a vet to start his long treatment. Zeus' loving heart finally had the opportunity to shine, touching everyone who had the opportunity to meet him. We soon were able to bring him into our family. Zeus immediately loved our young children, our other dogs and us as if he was with us his entire life. He showed us that an open heart and a loving hand could make a family grow beyond wonders, and how relationships between humans and dogs could do unimaginable things for conditions suffered by both species.

He truly has the most loving heart and kindest soul. Zeus has shown us what forgiveness can look like, and how love can ultimately heal any wound. I've accepted that I will have to deal and struggle with my conditions for the rest of my life. But knowing Zeus is here, that we help each other recover from wounds and scars that won't go away, makes it an easier journey.