Kelly Milner Halls - National Geographic Kids Chapters: Courageous Canine: And More True Stories of Amazing Animal Heroes

Lilly stands strong on her three legs. Her beautiful golden eyes seem to shine with courage. ()

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F or Lilly, it started as an ordinary day. The five-year-old dog paced across her cage at the Animal Rescue League (sounds like LEEG) in Boston, Massachusetts. She ate her breakfast kibble. She curled up on her blanket to take short naps. Once in a while, she even barked with the other dogs. But she mostly seemed sad and lonely. Like the rest of the animals at the shelter, she needed a home.

That March morning in 2009 started out as a regular day for David Lanteigne (sounds like LAN-tane), too. But he was excited. He was going to do something new later that day. Something awesome. He was going to volunteer at the Animal Rescue League (ARL).

David is a police officer in Boston. He works five days a week helping people. On his day off, he wanted to help homeless dogs. At the shelter, David filled out the forms to become a volunteer. Then he asked if he could meet the canines (sounds like KAY-nines). He meant the dogs. Dogs belong to the group of animals called canines.

Sure, the ARL workers said. Come this way.

Slowly, David strolled past the cages. He felt good about the job he had signed up to do. All of the dogs needed loving care, and he was just the guy to deliver it. Then, six cages in, his heart skipped a beat. He was face-to-face with Lilly.

Hello, sweet girl, he said. Lillys golden eyes met his. You have the most beautiful eyes in the world, David told her.

Lilly calmly walked to the edge of her cage where David waited. He gazed into her gentle eyes. Then he noticed deep scars on the dogs left side. There were scars on the top of her head, too. Lilly has been mistreated, David thought. What kind of person could hurt such a warm-hearted dog?

Lilly pressed her soft brown body against her cage to get closer to David. He felt like she was telling him, I have been hurt, but I still know how to be good.

David sat down beside the cage to talk to Lilly. You are a good girl, he whispered. He stroked her fur through the cage. She liked it when he scratched her under her chin and behind her floppy ears. Her personality sparkled like a diamond.

Can I walk one of the dogs? David asked an ARL worker. I think Lilly would like to go outside.

Lilly loved walking with David. They galloped through the grass and down the streets. She gave David dozens of sloppy licks. For man and dog, it was love at first sight. David realized he didnt just want to walk Lilly. He wanted to take her home.

To adopt Lilly, David needed to know if another dog and another person would love her, too. He had to introduce her to his dog, Penny. Shes a golden retriever (sounds like ree-TREE-ver). David also wanted Lilly to meet his mom, Christine. David hoped Christine would share Lilly with him. He knew his mom got sad and lonely at times. He hoped taking care of Lilly would make her feel happier.