Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/veteran-finds-perfect-rescue/

An American veteran named Joey Ross bravely served his country in the U.S. military. But those years of service also took a personal toll. When Ross came back home to Nashville, the Tennessee veteran was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

For a time, Ross’s service dog, Babygirl, helped him cope with the worst of his symptoms, which were so severe the veteran attempted suicide four years ago. After that intensely dark period, the loyal dog saved his life, Ross told WZTV.

This made it all the more heartbreaking when Babygirl was suddenly diagnosed with cancer. As his loving dog slipped away, the veteran grieved, wary of the difficult task of finding another pet to fill the outsized role his loyal pup left behind.

For a time, Ross considered getting a cat, which can provide therapeutic benefits on par with their canine counterparts. But the shelter didn’t have any cats at the time, causing the veteran to reconsider adopting a dog.

“They didn’t have any [cats] at the time so we looked at the dogs,” the veteran told the station.

One of those dogs was a rescue named Sable picked up just 20 minutes after Babygirl passed away. This couldn’t be a coincidence, thought Ross, who considered the timing of Sable’s rescue to be a sign.

“I had goosebumps and the hair on my arm stood up,” the veteran said. “I knew in that moment she [Babygirl] sent her to us.”

Now Ross and his new rescue do everything together, which is great news for Sable, who didn’t have to wait long in the shelter to find her new family.

Of course, it’s not entirely exactly clear who rescued whom, which is often the case with animal adoption.

Ross adopted Sable, who couldn’t be more thrilled to find her forever family. In exchange, she provides him with loyalty, love, and helps him manage his PTSD. It’s a win-win all around! Please adopt, don’t shop.

Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog