Don't overlook the priceless treasure in your own home town

Scout holds my ♥ with his gentle paws

I think one of the best things I've ever done for myself was adopting Scout from my local shelter. No, he wasn't a puppy and I don't think he could have been considered a 'youth'. He was somewhere near three years old. But there was just something about him. Something in his eyes and something in my heart that told me to take him home. No, he wasn't pretty. He was nearly 20 pounds underweight and his hair was horribly thin but his eyes - his eyes had a kindness in them that told me everything was going to be OK.

Scout will be (I think) twelve this summer. He's slowing down a bit. His activity has decreased but his love - his love for me has increased a hundred fold. My love for him? I don't think there are enough numbers in all of the Universe to measure how I feel about him - he's priceless.

Please, the next time you think of adopting, take a look at the grown dogs and cats. There are some real treasures to be found that will continue to rise in value as each and every day goes by.