This is Bodie.
After finding myself addicted to pain killers following a chronic illness, I went into recovery. All I wanted was a dog but committed to waiting until I had more time under my belt. My partner decided to surprise me on my birthday with a trip to the SLC animal shelter. He seemed to feel I was ready after a year of clean time. I walked in looking for a 40 pound dog that didn’t shed. He, instead, sheds profusely and weighs in at 95 pounds today.
When we found him in the shelter. He wasn’t barking like all the other dogs. He weighed only 62 pounds and you could see his bones. They botched his neuter and had cut slits in his testicles to drain them. Flies had ate away the tips of his ears. He had a limp. He had kennel sores on all his limbs and belly. He was very sick. I brought him home and cared for him. He was frightened and had obviously been through an ordeal. I’ll never know but assume it wasn’t a happy life.
As my recovery moved forward I watched Bodie grow as a dog as I grew into a human. When he discovered what a toy was was about the time I discovered I could laugh. I mean, a real, true, sober laugh. When he found he could trust, so did I. Where he found a loving family, I found myself engaged with 5 amazing step children and my family finally speaking to me again.
Life is good today. I am clean and sober and we continue to grow. Life doesn’t get any better than this. We are fighters and survivors.
Thanks for letting share!
Sounds like he is very special! Thank you for saving him! When I feel alone I talk to my Doxie! Your dog will always love you no matter what happens in your life!
I love this!! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for sharing & such a beautiful dog.
Awesome post of recovery! Congrats on your year + of sobriety! Goes to show that with love and care, all living things can heal and grow.
I’ll bet Bodie is really grateful for you.
Bodie!!!!! Such a good boy! I have a fat baby rescue that is 100% my partner and shadow, love this!
This is an amazing story!
So true
Aw, god bless you 
I honestly have nooooo idea what I’d do with my baby boy 
He is my everything!
My sons name is bodie great story; good dog
Beautiful story, thanks for sharing!
Grateful you found each other
Thank you for that share. It just made my morning. And you are amazing. Keep being awesome
You are a true miracle in progress! Congratulations on a year🎉
My pup in my pic is my Keeper. He was born 3 days before I got sober. He has been with me every day ever since. My darkest days when I was completely lost, that guy was happy to see me. Every single day. He’s been my keeper.
And he ate my 4th step.
This made me absolutely cry with joy. One of the delightful things I’m finding about being sober is I feel, really feel now and these tears… Pure emotion for you and this dog. This is really just a lovely story and I’m so glad you have each other 
Thank you!
I know how you feel. I remember not trusting my feelings at first and having to ask people if it was ok for a feeling such as anger. They would say “they’re your feelings, right?” I still try not to make decisions based solely on feelings though. I call my support group first.