“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” – Josh Billings

My dears, sometimes the path we choose is not the one initially intended. And, that’s just the evolution of our lives unfolding – these twists and turns that soon become our destiny.

We just haven’t quite sorted that bit out yet – this idea that we are sometimes destined for much greater things.

Such begins the story of a little puppy named, “Pesto.” His owner worked in the children’s section of the local library. And, each day should would bring the little pup in to socialize.

You see, Pesto was being trained as a guide dog for the blind, and his training required a substantial interaction.

He soon became a regular at the library, happily greeting ‘his’ children and patrons with a promise to make all of their days brighter.

Kimistry Howard was just one of those many patrons. She had frequented the library daily to home school her two little boys – Javaé, a 5-year-old with autism and Javary, a 7-year-old who weighs little more than 30 pounds due to a rare health condition that causes growth defects and extremely flexible joints.

In both cases, Kimistry had been told by doctors that her children’s lives would be forever constrained by their ‘debilitating conditions.’ But, as is the case with all loving Mothers, she believed – she believed in a life outside of that which had been defined for them.

And, it’s a rather good thing that she did – as, doctor’s don’t always account for the power of one human spirit within their diagnosis.

From the moment they first met, the boys and this irrepressible pup became the best of friends.

“I said I never believed in love at first sight, well, I had love at first sight,” said Kimistry Howard, “It’s a love story from beginning to end…”

As time went on Pesto gave Javary a reason to step out of his wheelchair and Javae a reason to speak.  “Javaé barely spoke,” Kimistry says. “Pesto gave him so much to talk about.” And Javary navigates around the library, half walking, half crawling, snuggling up to Pesto whenever he got the chance. “He really shouldn’t be able to walk right now, but with Pesto as an inspiration, he doesn’t want to stay in a chair,” Kimistry said.

The story should have ended there – with two boys whose lives had been forever changed by the kindness of one incredible little dog.

But, as is the case with all wonderful stories – this one was destined for a much happier ending.

“At the college Pesto excelled in all of the courses — from urban challenges and intelligent disobedience to traffic training and city work. Then in January, after two months of schooling, it came time to take the final exam, and the 18-month old canine had a sudden change of heart, and failed to graduate.”

Luckily, a deal had been struck between the former owner and Kimistry – who promised that Pesto would be given to the boys if he failed to graduate from guide dog school.

And, on January 31 of this year – the three were finally reunited.

“The boys had no idea Pesto was going to be theirs until January 31 when they were at the library as usual. Pesto ran up to an unsuspecting Javary. It took a minute for Javary to recognize the dog. A huge smile crossed his face as he immediately turned to his mom and asked, “Is this Pesto?””

According to Pesto’s former owner, “Magical things happen in the library every day. This is one of them.”

To which Kimistry replied, “What he brings to us, we can never give it back to him.”

Indeed, the magical things that happen when animals may choose their humans.

And, we never quite know the greatness to be born from failure.

To view the full video in its entirety, click here  – >How a ‘Failed’ Service Dog Touched One Family.