We Went for Pie, Came Home with a Hero

Describe one of your favorite moments.

Every now and then, life hands you a moment that sticks with you forever. Not just in your head, but in your heart. For me, one of those moments happened in the most unlikely place—Holmes County, Ohio. Amish country. You go there for handmade furniture, baked goods that could make you forget your name, and the kind of peace you just can’t find in a Walmart parking lot. We were just there for a chill day, picking up some candles, grabbing a pie or three, and maybe stocking up on noodles like the apocalypse was coming.

We also knew about this little pet store in the area. Not a big chain—just a quiet, friendly place that always had a few adorable pups running around. My wife, who has a radar for “puppy kisses,” insisted we stop. I was like, sure, let’s go play with some dogs. No harm in that, right?

The moment we walked in, it was puppy chaos—in the best way. All the kennels had open tops, so you could reach in and pet them. And right there, front and center, was this big, fluffy St. Bernard puppy. Huge paws. Giant eyes. Tongue too big for her mouth. I gave her a quick pat on the head and kept moving, but my wife… she was on a mission. She floated around the room, giving love to every dog in sight.

Then it happened.

From the opposite side of the room, she and that St. Bernard puppy locked eyes. It was like something out of a cheesy rom-com, only fuzzier and with more drool. My wife froze. Her eyes welled up. She looked at me, pointed at the dog, and said through tears:

“This is our dog.”

Now, I’m standing there thinking she’s lost her damn mind. I said, “What? No, babe. We can’t afford a freakin’ horse with paws. That thing’s gonna eat more than me.” And she didn’t even flinch. She just pointed at her purse and said, “That’s what the credit card is for.”

So, yeah. We bought the dog.

We named her Jersey, and from day one, she was different. Sweet, calm, gentle. Like she was born to comfort people. And as she grew up, we realized she had something special. We put in the time and the training, and turned her into a certified therapy dog. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. She now works with the Belmont County Sheriff’s Department, sitting with kids in court—kids who have been through the absolute worst life can throw at them. When they have to get up there and tell their story in front of strangers, she’s there. She makes them feel brave. Makes them feel safe.

And to think… I tried to talk us out of it.

So yeah, we went to Amish Country for baked goods and candles. And we came home with a dog who helps kids be brave in the face of monsters. Easily one of my favorite days ever. One moment changed not just our lives, but the lives of so many others. All because my wife just knew.

Turns out, when she says “this is our dog,” she means it. And sometimes, you just have to swipe the card and say yes to fate—especially when it’s wagging its tail.