We love our kittens. We adore our wiggly little puppies. BUT right now, we have a bunch of big, goofy, gorgeous dogs at the shelter who are just waiting to love you like it's their full-time job, with overtime, zero vacation days, and excellent snuggle benefits. So, in the most professional way possible, we've put together a completely serious, extremely scientific, 100% legitimate list of reasons why you should adopt a big dog: 🐾Built-in weighted blanket. Except this one has feelings, snores like a tractor, and sometimes smells faintly like a Frito. 🐾You'll never eat alone again. Not even a single cheese puff. You are now the CEO of Shared Snacks Incorporated™. 🐾Every bathroom trip = full eye contact and unsolicited moral support. Privacy is a memory. 🐾Automatic crumb vacuum. Drop an entire meatloaf? That problem will be solved in exactly 3 seconds. 🐾Personal trainer included! Every walk is cardio and full-body strength training. You'll have the calves of a Greek god! 🐾Built-in home security. Loud on the outside, a gooey marshmallow on the inside. Would 100% lick a burglar into giving up a life of crime. 🐾Wardrobe makeover expert. Welcome to the world of fur-covered pants and slobber-chic accessories. You've never looked more loved. 🐾Walking icebreaker. "Is that a dog or a small horse?" "That's my emotional support moose, thanks for asking." 🐾Road trip bestie. They'll ride shotgun, and silently judge your "Dad Rock" playlist. 🐾Redecorating help! That vase didn't fall; it was relocated with enthusiasm and love. 🐾You've always wanted to share your bed, your soul, and your last bite of sandwich. 🐾Perfect excuse for why your house is a disaster. "Sorry, my dog rearranged everything in his artistic vision." 🐾They snore like a dragon with allergies but somehow it soothes your soul. 🐾World-class emotional support bestie. Sad? Boom! Instant face lick. Existential crisis in the kitchen? They're on it! 🐾Want to be someone's entire universe? Congrats. You're now the sun, moon, and official cheese stick dispenser. We hope you've enjoyed this extremely important and 100% factual list of reasons to get a big dog. But here's the most important reason of all: Because they deserve a home. Not in spite of the fact that they're giant goofballs who think they're the size of a butterfly, but because they're giant goofballs who think they're the size of a butterfly. They've got huge hearts, huge heads, and a huge amount of love to give. So come meet your new oversized best friend at our Colorado Springs or Pueblo shelters today. https://www.hsppr.org/pets/ 🐾💖 Adopt big. Love big. Live large. 💖🐾 (fb)

ADOPTED 5/23 They're only writing this down because they saw me shaking. I didn't mean for anyone to notice. I thought if I kept my head down, curled into the corner of my kennel just right, maybe I'd disappear. Maybe the world would forget I was here. But the staff saw me. I guess I was crying a little. I didn't mean to do that either. It's embarrassing, honestly. I'm over a year old now. I'm not a baby. I'm supposed to be stronger than this. I keep telling myself that. Over and over. But the truth is... I'm scared. Scared down to my bones. This is my third time at the shelter. I don't even know what that says about me anymore. The first time, I was just a puppy. My head hurt because a child had hit me with a toy. They said I flinched for weeks. I don't remember a lot, just that I was so small and everything felt loud and scary. The second time, they had to move and couldn't bring a dog with them. They hugged me and left, and I sat in the corner of the kennel, waiting for them to come back. But they couldn't come back. The third time… well, that one stings. They tried. There was a kid there, too. He reminded me of the first one, the one with the toy. I couldn't help it. I panicked a lot. The crate scared me, the house felt wrong. And maybe I was too much for them. Maybe I'm too much for everyone. I think I've just never fit anywhere. My name is Aegon. That's what they call me. It sounds strong, doesn't it? Like a name that belongs to someone brave. Someone noble. Someone a lot different from me. I watch people walk past me every day. They stop at the puppies first. Then the friendly ones, the pretty ones. I don't blame them. I know what I look like. I know I hunch low when people come close. I know my eyes are too sad. I know my legs are a little funny. I'm not the kind of dog people stop for. I'm not the kind people dream about. I'm just… me. Too anxious. Too quiet. Too afraid. Too much of everything no one wants. But still, I dream. I dream in secret. I dream about a place where I don't have to flinch. Where someone reaches out, and I lean into their hand instead of away from it. I dream about soft beds and quiet rooms and someone saying, "It's okay, you're safe now." I know I shouldn't ask for much. But I don't want to be pitied. I don't want someone to feel sorry for me. I just want someone to see me, a dog who wants to love and be loved so badly it aches. If you're out there, I'm still here. I'm waiting at the Colorado Springs shelter. I don't look like much right now. I might not run to the front of my kennel. I might not wag my tail at first. But if you wait a little… if you're gentle with me… I promise I'll try. I'll try with everything I've got to be the dog you need. I just want someone to need me back. Even if I'm scared. Even if I'm not perfect. Even if I'm just Aegon. https://www.hsppr.org/pet/a1697979/ (fb)