My dog is the coolest because...
Gus had been adopted as a puppy and then returned to the shelter when his medical issues became too much. The stress of the shelter environment, coupled with medical issues, caused Gus to become extremely thin and sickly. As a shelter volunteer, I took him home as a foster.
At home, Gus quickly gained weight and became much healthier. He then became my first "foster fail." Gus loved everyone and thought they all felt the same. He was the King of Counter Surfing and had the longest "arms." Gus loved to play ball in the backyard. But it wasn't fetch. Gus played his own game, hiking the ball between his back legs. He would do it over and over, and would drop it for people to throw for him.
Gus could convert any skeptic into a dog person. His persistent grin and maniac tail were a sure way to win people over. This included my young foster son at the time. He had been terrified of dogs. Gus was able to win him over, and they became best friends. We were all his people, and he loved us with his entire being. The only thing bigger than his personality was his heart. He was a once in a lifetime dog, and I am so thankful that he chose us to be his people.