I have known Thayer Gowdy for years and watched her transform herself from a great producer of print into a fabulous photographer. Thayer shared that she had always had cats growing up and was ready to try something different - a kid, a dog? A dog seemed like the first good step! Here is her story about how Scout came into her life!

"One afternoon, after a lazy morning with my boyfriend reading the NY Times, we passed the local pet shop and they were having a pop-up for Wonderdog Rescue, so we stopped in for a puppy browse.

Overwhelmed by the beyond cute pups, until I noticed my boyfriend holding on tightly to a scruffy black puppy - wire haired and not remotely soft to the touch. Not the puppy I had in my mind, but one look and I was hooked. After a small exchange of cash, the 4 1/2 month old Terrier Mix named Rocky was ours! I felt nervous, I had never had a dog before. The first 3 sleep-deprived months were rough, struggling to find pet sitters and then missing him terribly when at work. What had I gotten myself into?

He is now almost 2, and Scout, I changed his named after a day, has become my fearless leader, true to his name. From our first trip to Palm Springs, he has been my constant companion, and source of unconditional love. Being a photographer and spending so much time away from home, when Scout comes along, it’s like bringing home with me. We share some of the same fears (men and trusting folks in general!) but seem to be working through them together. He loves the models on set, always gathering sticks and laying them at their feet as an offering of thanks.

Getting a rescue was the best thing I ever did! Scout is the spark in my eye, he is my moon and stars. Honestly, my face hurts from smiling so much since the day he arrived in my life. I wish I could have a whole herd of small scruffy rescue dogs!"