I have two miniature schnauzers. Blue came to me with health issues too numerous to list and had two emergency surgeries — one for an infected uterus and another for a tumor in her mouth. She was also frightened of everything. At three years old she had no idea how to climb stairs.

Scout was picked up as a thin, matted, traumatized stray. I rushed over to the shelter to see him but was told I had to wait until he was cleared. When I turned around to leave he let out a wail that broke my heart.

And here they are now.