On February 5th 2024, my family took a rental car and drove 2 hours away to go to a dog breeder. My dad said it was to “just look,” but that soon proved very, very wrong. When we got there, we were guided to a back room full of puppies. The room was pungent with a wet dog smell, as at least eight small puppies around four months old each ran around. One puppy in particular caught our eye. She was a small pomeranian-toy poodle mix, with curly blonde hair, fur black around her ears, mouth and across her back. She ran up to us excitedly, putting her lower half in the air, tail wagging excitedly. It was apparent, she had chosen us, chosen our family. My parents immediately chose to adopt her, and she was now our dog. I held her while my parents signed the adoption papers. My sisters and I picked out a collar for her, a small purple one with different colored pawprints. We brought her home with us and named her Bubbles. She’s long grown out of that collar, but it stays in my room, on the doorknob of my bedroom door. It comforts me, and I believe it protects me from harm's way. Whenever we travel and have to leave her behind, I always bring it with. To bring her love and protection with me wherever I go.

– Ali T.

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant