We were on a family camping trip, enjoying the crisp air, the scent of pine, and the crackling of our campfire, when we noticed a dog camping next to us. And when I say “noticed,” I mean she was impossible to ignore. She was enormous—towering in size yet gentle in demeanor—and clearly full of personality. Over the next few hours, we learned she was a mastiff, lab, and American bulldog mix, a remarkable combination that made her both strong and sweet.
From the moment we met her, we were amazed by her patience. The family had autistic twins who were fascinated by her size and strength. They climbed on her, tugged at her ears, and poked and prodded, yet she didn’t flinch, growl, or snap once. She simply endured their attention with quiet tolerance, occasionally nudging them gently with her massive head as if to say, I’m here, I’ve got you. Later that evening, she climbed into a little camp chair by the fire, curled herself up as best she could, and drifted off to sleep. It was a sight that melted everyone around her—this giant, seemingly intimidating dog, demonstrating such softness and trust.
It wasn’t long before the family confided in us. Sitting around the fire, the woman spoke through tears, explaining that they were losing their home. Their beloved dog—her gentle, loyal companion—would have to be given up. This camping trip was her last with them. She admitted her fear that someone might adopt the dog with the wrong intentions—someone who might try to train her to fight, just because of her size and imposing appearance.
I didn’t hesitate. I told her we would take her, that she would have a loving home and a family who understood her. The relief and gratitude in her eyes were unforgettable.
A month later, we met up again, and Candy—as she would come to be called—officially joined our family. The transition wasn’t without challenges. She suffered from horrendous separation anxiety, which led to countless destroyed shoes, shredded bedsheets, and a few chewed-up furniture corners. But slowly, with patience, love, and consistency, she found her confidence and learned to trust that we were here to stay.
Today, Candy is thriving. She still goes camping with us, bounding through the forest, swimming like a madwoman in the lake, and fetching sticks with unbridled enthusiasm. She has become the heart of our children’s lives, gentle and patient with them in ways that still amaze us. Despite her size, she is best friends with our tiny 10-pound Havanese, proving that patience, love, and tolerance are far more powerful than appearances.
People often cross the street to avoid her, intimidated by her size, but those who take a chance are met with a sweet, goofy, floppy dog who begs for belly rubs and companionship. Candy is a loving, goofy big girl—a treasure in every sense of the word. She came into our lives unexpectedly, but she has left a permanent mark on our hearts.
She is more than a dog; she is a symbol of patience, loyalty, and the transformative power of love. From her first patient moments with the twins to her current life as our beloved, spoiled, adventurous girl, Candy reminds us every day why opening our hearts to a creature in need can be the most rewarding decision of all.