October 19, 2017.That’s the day a long-eared, Tri-colored Basset boy named Cash became a Gunter. We adopted him from Etowah Valley Humane Society when he was just a year old, hoping our Shelby girl would have a buddy to run around with. Shelby wasn’t exactly thrilled that first night. The look she gave me said, “Excuse me, what is this doing here?” But time and love worked their magic. Now they’re inseparable.

Bean, of course, just tolerates the whole operation like a weary roommate who didn’t sign the lease for this kind of chaos.

What made Cash’s adoption even more special was that he was a local boy. Because he came from right here in Bartow County, we were able to get his full medical history from Bartow Animal Hospital — birth date, vaccination records, all of it. It was comforting to know exactly where he came from and what he’d been through.

Then came the scare that nearly broke us. About a year after we adopted him, his red blood cell count dropped to a four. If you know medicine, human or animal, you know that’s dangerously low. He’d just had his spleen removed because it was twisted, and without it, his little body couldn’t make red blood cells as quickly. It took months of medication, blood work and me cooking calf’s liver (which, if you’ve ever smelled it, you know is a true act of love).

Thankfully, at that time I was still working in veterinary medicine, and that made all the difference. I was able to take Cash to work with me every single day while he was recovering. He got top-notch care, constant monitoring, and a whole team loving on him. We were surrounded by an incredible veterinary family, and I’ll forever be grateful for that. His case was even studied by Merck Pharmaceuticals, UGA, and IDEXX Laboratories; that’s how unusual it was. It was a hard season, but I thank God every day for that timing.

Fast-forward to 2025, and our boy still looks wonderful (even if we’ve both gained a few pounds since that photo). He’s pure Basset through and through …a world-class hounder who will not let you stop petting him once you start. He whines, he begs, he charms everyone he meets. And he’s never met a bite of food he didn’t like!

Cash reminds me every single day why adoption matters. I’m not here to knock breeders! If you buy from one, just make sure they’re reputable. But adoption gives pets a second chance at love, stability, and family. It’s not just about “saving” them; it’s about building something together. Cash didn’t just need a home. He needed us. And I think God knew exactly what He was doing when He brought him into our lives.

So today, on Cash’s Gotcha Day, my message is simple:

Adopt if you can. Bring that love into your home. Be prepared to love them through every stage …puppy energy, middle-aged naps, senior snuggles. It’s not a one-time fee, it’s a lifelong promise.

Adopt. Love. Repeat.

That’s what it means to love a pet.

Happy Gotcha Day, Cash.