I abandoned high-heeled shoes and corporate boardrooms for soft-soled loafers and hospital corridors. Nikki excelled as my first therapy dog, and together we brought compassion to dying patients and comfort to frightened children. Bodie bounded in next, and for him I added sturdy, leather hiking boots to my shoe shelf. His confidence in the wilderness showed me I could survive out there, too. Sophie and Tucker said, “Keep all your shoes, let’s move to the Rocky Mountains!” We hiked and swam and fished and never looked back at city life. Then came Daisy. All I needed with her were the fastest running shoes I could buy. And a world of patience to corral her energy for agility training and competition. Now Chatter needs lots and lots of shoes, because she carries them all over the house and outside into the snow and up on the hill by the barn. She also craves constant reassurance to bolster her fragile self-confidence. All rescued and second-hand dogs, these golden retrievers not only changed my wardrobe, they transformed my life, several times over. From career to hobbies to home to ever-evolving challenges, they brought it all, along with the shoes. Pure Gold is their story, and mine.

- Holli Pfau

Coming soon: A showcase of heart-warming stories of rescued dogs and their lucky families. Watch for submission guidelines and selected stories here.