Most people fondly recall prom or summer camp. We remember the time Amy got full-on mauled by a hormonal momma dog and Emily entered a co-parenting agreement with a rescue who stares at walls like she’s in a haunted house. In this episode, we’re reliving the dogs that left permanent marks—on our hearts, our souls, and occasionally our hands. There’s Ruby, found tied to a park bench looking like a skeleton. Blanche, who bit us within minutes of arrival and then accepted a cheeseburger like a hospice diva. Claire, who took 18 months to allow touch and now lives in a legally murky shared custody arrangement between Amy and Emily. Kristen, who bit four people in full mom-mode before deciding she was, in fact, a snuggle bug. Cardamom, who showed up emaciated and very pregnant, later losing a leg to an old stray injury like the unbothered queen she is. Roscoe, the blind, deaf senior from Ohio whose owner entered assisted living—and who entered Amy’s life just in time to fix something inside her. Margarita, rescued from a literal storm drain, adopted, returned, and slowly rebuilt thanks to Tiff’s unmatched patience. And finally, Liz Taylor—flawless mother, loyal companion, and returned four months after adoption because she had the audacity to bark when people walked by her house. Apparently, being 98% perfect isn’t enough if the last 2% makes noise.

These dogs didn’t just change our lives—they rewired our brains. They’re the reason we rant, rescue, and occasionally scream into the void. And we wouldn’t have it any other way. (Mostly.)