It's so exciting to welcome a new dog into your home, but it's horribly scary for them! Each of the dogs was unsure of the new environment at first as you might expect. They are in a shell and it takes them time to come out and blossom.

Having a separate room/isolated area for them to have for the first bit was helpful for us, especially because we have several cats.

Garlic in particular didn't want to eat or drink much in his first few days and only felt comfortable in his crate. He began playing with toys after a couple of weeks. Then became attached to his mom and follows her everywhere.

Chico has always been a big love and immediately felt at home. When we brought her home, Garlic got a peek of her as she went by and he came to life with excitement. That immediately resolved any nerves we had about Garlic and Chico getting along. They both slept in our bed that night. Chico does not like to be touched while she is sleeping, which she made sure to let us know early on (big grumbles — I'm sleeping here!).

Chorong has been the most timid of them all. She adapted to a house with 3 cats very quickly and began to play chase with them early on.

She's still timid, unsure of a lot, and jumps at loud noises. She was immediately attached to her dad from the first meeting. Her tail wiggles like a wind turbine and she began sleeping in his arms at night. When she's comfortable, she's so incredibly playful and loves to run. She really brings light and energy to our family. Every day I see her come out of her shell a little further.

One of the biggest joys has been seeing the dogs learn to play. Chico and Chorong came from puppy mills. Showing them a collection of dog toys, how to play with them, and watching them experiment until they've decided which is their favorite(s) has melted our hearts. They've started to play just one on one and chase each other, which I never expected but find so adorable.

Coming home to the three of them is always such a pleasure. The littlest things with the dogs bring us such joy. Especially when contrasted with what their lives were before.

• Garlic's look when he smells Dunkin Donuts, because he thinks he's getting a treat (and the workers at Dunkin will sometimes give him a piece of cheese!)
• Chorong's good morning stretch and wiggles
• They each have their preferred sleeping spot in the human bed at night
• The "Chico Anchor" — Chico always finds a lap to sit on and will readjust if you try to move
• Their love for heating pads — all 3 will share 1 heating pad, snuggled together
• Chico loves to smell flowers and will pull you towards them so she can smell them
• Chorong when she's surrounded by the pile of toys she made on the couch

Absolutely fabulous. I feel that Never Alone genuinely cares for the dogs and looks for the best match for a dog.

I appreciated the process having a two-week trial period before things are confirmed, and that NAAR checked in with us to see how things were going. We weren't alone and had support from NAAR before, during, and after adoption.

Never Alone provided very clear instructions and made the airport pickup extremely smooth. A shout-out to Minnie and Ksenia for being at Logan airport for the dogs' arrival.

They came prepared with a light meal for the dogs, water, leashes, etc. They were ready for anything. Any nerves or reservations I had were unnecessary worry — the NAAR team was ready. They really do care about the dogs above all else.

Do it, be patient, and you'll have a dog who loves you in the end. Adopt a dog and save a life. Adopt from NAAR for the smoothest and most positive experience.

We've got a bit of a zoo with the 3 dogs and 3 cats, but we wouldn't have it any other way. Waking up with them in the bed in the morning and nestling in with them at the end of the day is always something we look forward to. They really brighten our days.

Adopting a senior or adult dog is such a gift to you and to them. They are worthy of love. They might not be a 12-week-old puppy, but they are equally as lovable and precious.

They have lived some of their life before they meet us. That history can be a blessing and a hurdle, but you cannot change it. You can only use that info to influence how you treat them going forward.

Garlic for example was already housebroken when we adopted him, so we didn't have to do any potty training with him.

On the other hand, there is often some fear. Fear of leashes, fear of grooming, or disliking being picked up because of past experiences. But if given support in a safe environment, they can and do adapt. Meet them where they are at.

There is never enough time with any animal — it is always heartbreaking. Senior and adult dogs are so deserving of happiness in the tail end of their life before they cross the rainbow bridge.