I'm a dog person. When I moved out of my parents' house to go to college, I really wanted to get a dog of my own, but it just wasn't practical. I was in school and working full-time, so I didn't have the time to properly care for a pet.

Then, in 2009, cancer happened. At 19 years old, I was diagnosed with stage IIIb melanoma. I had to withdraw from school and move home.

What better time to get a dog,...