The One Where the Four-Legged Friend Plays Cupid

Since 2013, Petco Love has celebrated the love that we share with our pets through our annual Love Stories campaign. In partnership with BOBS® from Skechers®, we’re excited to celebrate the special connection between Alice and Brave, an adopted dog from Angels Among Us. Their story earned lifesaving funding for Angels Among Us, a pair of BOBS® from Skechers® shoes for Alice, and a Petco shopping spree! 

Read Alice + Brave’s Winning Love Story 

I was a young 20-something when I adopted my sweet baby, Brave. I had no idea what the future had in store for me or what adopting him would bring to my life. He was just a baby the first time I met him. His mom was rescued while pregnant and gave birth to eight beautiful puppies shortly after. I had one request when choosing which pup I wanted from the litter: “I want the most hyper one!” His foster immediately handed Brave to me. He was wiggling around non-stop and the last puppy to lay down for a nap. It was instant love. 

I lived a very active lifestyle and longed for a dog that could keep up with my energy level. Brave grew up to enjoy hikes with me, shopping, running, playing with balls and toys, and tussling with other dogs at the dog park! He became quite the lady’s man at our favorite dog park and made many friends easily: Sadie, Ellie, Bacon, and most importantly – Gracie! Brave and Gracie met when Brave was a year old. They would spend hours playing together at the dog park. They always gravitated towards each other and never left each other’s side. Eventually, I struck up a conversation with Orlando, Gracie’s dad.  

Over time, Orlando and I developed our own friendship until one day … he asked me out on a date! Of course, I said yes! From then on, our time together consisted of scouting out exciting new dog parks and dog-friendly restaurants, beaches, and trails. After five years of dog-filled fun, we got married! Brave was especially excited for this news since it meant he got to be around his favorite friend Gracie all the time!  

We always say that our dogs brought us together. Without them, there would be no us. We knew our wedding day wouldn’t be the same without them there, so we decided to include them as our ring bearer and flower girl! It was such a beautiful day and it meant so much to have them there. 

Brave has changed my life in so many ways, but I never imagined he would find a best friend for himself and a lifelong partner for me. He has been my one constant throughout my ever-changing life. For the last 8 years, he has been the first thing I see when I wake up and the last kiss I give when I go to bed. He has comforted me through tears and sadness and celebrated with me during times of joy and excitement. He has made me laugh when it was hard to smile and always made bad days better. He is my very best friend and the light of my life. I truly cannot imagine my life without him, and I am so grateful to Angels Among Us for bringing us together. 

Each year, Petco Love Stories invites adopters to share how their pets have changed their lives to give the organizations that they’ve adopted from the chance to receive grant awards. This story by Alice won Angels Among Us in Georgia a 2024 Love Stories award.

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