I started volunteering at a local animal shelter while I was still in middle school.

From the very first visit, I was in tears – seeing all those dogs begging for just a moment of attention. That day, I made a decision:

I would never buy a dog.

 

I promised myself I would do everything I could to change the lives of animals betrayed by humans.

 

I spent all my free time at the shelter – walking dogs, brushing them, playing with them.

Then, one summer day, I noticed a new arrival.

His name was Cezar.

 

He was visibly terrified, tucked away in the farthest corner of his kennel.

His eyes were deeply sad.

He panicked at the sight of people. He wouldn’t let anyone touch him, let alone walk him.

 

That’s when I realized:

This dog has been through hell.

 

I made a silent promise:

I would earn his trust.

 

 

Every visit, I ran straight to his kennel.

I’d open the gate, and he would flee.

I’d slowly approach his doghouse, careful with every movement so I wouldn’t scare him more.

I sat beside him for hours, whispering softly.

 

And then… one day, he wagged his tail when he saw me.

He didn’t run.

 

Tears of joy streamed down my face.

I wanted to hug him – but I knew I couldn’t. Not yet.

 

Days passed.

Our bond grew stronger.

And Cezar started to trust.

 

One day, I gently picked him up and carried him outside onto the grass.

He was scared.

But I wanted him to take that first step.

 

He couldn’t walk yet.

So we lay there.

Side by side.

 

I stroked him. Spoke to him.

Helped him feel safe.

 

After about a month, I was the only person he would go for walks with.

He waited for me. I waited for him.

We became each other’s safe place.

 

After a few months, I convinced my parents to adopt him.

He would be our second dog, and I promised to take full responsibility.

 

Just before Christmas in 2011, we went to the shelter as a family and brought Cezar home.

I was still underage, so my dad signed the adoption papers.

It was one of the happiest days of my life.

 

 

But it wasn’t easy.

 

He was scared of the car.

Scared of the house.

I had to carry him often – I think he had been locked in small spaces before, maybe abused.

 

The panic he felt in enclosed areas was overwhelming.

 

At home, it took him a long time to feel safe.

 

He trusted me.

But not my parents. Not my sister.

He warmed up to women more easily.

It took a month before he let my dad pet him.

 

But over time, Cezar transformed.

 

He began to enjoy being around people.

He loved other dogs.

He discovered joy – walks, cuddles, and naps on the bed.

 

But it wasn’t instant.

 

He didn’t become a “normal” dog until three full years after adoption.

 

Now, we’re best friends. Inseparable.

 

He went with me to college.

He even comes to my lectures – I’m studying Animal Behavior.

 

We walk together. We explore. We grow.

 

What I love most is how he’s always there.

When I’m sad, he comes close and licks my face – and the tears turn to smiles.

 

Because of Cezar, I shifted my entire volunteer work.

Together with a friend, I now run PSIEłamana serce – a rescue initiative that pulls dogs from shelters and places them in loving foster homes until they find their forever families.

 

Cezar taught me patience. Calm. Joy in every tiny step forward.

He inspired my career path. He shaped my future.

 

 

 

If you're thinking about adoption – please do it.

 

The animals that life has hurt…

they love the deepest.

They know what it means to be saved.

And they will never stop showing you how much they appreciate it.

 

Adopting a dog doesn’t just change their life –

it changes yours.

 

And I’ll never stop helping them.

Through foster care.

Through adoption.

Through love.

 

Forever.