The feeling of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune.

That’s how I felt February 10th, 2018

The day I looked into the eyes of my future dog.

The Animal Shelter was loud

Barks from dogs and loud meows from Cats

It was cold inside and the walls were a very dull grey

There weren’t any windows

It was depressing

I stepped into the Dog section

I felt dread envelop me like a blanket

It didn’t feel right

Walking down a long row of Dogs who don’t have homes

They don’t get affection each day and night

They meet new people every day

But may never see them again

Some have been in those cages for months

And yet people don’t have the heart to make them theirs

We walked around the large kennel

The barks echoing hitting each wall with great power

I noticed a very quiet dog on the other side

He was sitting as still as a statue

His eyes were filled with sadness

Emotions overcame

I started to cry

I wanted to leave

I needed to leave

I left.

My family looked at a different dog

While I cried in the car

I promised myself I wouldn’t go back

But I did.

The first dog didn’t work out

I made my Mom ask to see “Buzz”

The dog that had made me cry

We took him for a walk

We loved him the first moment we were with him

That’s how I felt the strongest sympathy.