The following story is a finalist in the Pawsitively Picture Perfect photo contest. The top three finishers will receive $500 in cash, as well as $2,000 in cash and supplies for their favorite shelter. Voting runs through June 1. To read more stories and cast your vote, click here!

This beautiful girl, Sophie, was found emaciated and wandering the streets of Memphis, Tennessee. When she was caught, she was transferred to another town and taken to the vet.

PHOTO: KALI HAMBY

Wouldn’t you know it? Heartworm positive. A foster needed to be found so she could begin treatment. I agreed to take her until we found an appropriate foster to keep her for the lengthy stay needed while she got better. Oddly enough, I never wanted a Malinois. The idea was cool, but I always knew they weren’t a breed for me.

A few months went by. Finding a foster for her was a little difficult, as she is a Malinois and was found on the streets with huge trust issues. I decided to become her medical foster because at that point, she trusted me and I trusted her, so why not get the ball rolling with treatment?

PHOTO: KALI HAMBY

It honestly did not take long at all to fall head over heels for her. Once we built that trust, we instantly had a friendship that flourishes everyday. When she started becoming more comfortable, we began figuring each other out. We don’t know her past, but I can tell you she hasn’t gotten to experience a lot being a roughly four-year-old dog. She didn’t even know how to play with toys.

She truly is a once in a lifetime dog. We work hard everyday, learning that the world isn’t as scary as she thinks it is and that she is safe with me. Yep. A breed I never wanted wiggled her way into my heart, and she will never be leaving it. She has a home for the rest of her life. She even has a new name to fit her new life: Soapy. A clean slate and a fresh start.

PHOTO: KALI HAMBY

This story was submitted by Kali Hamby in support of American Belgian Malinois Rescue. To read other stories from the Pawsitively Picture Perfect photo contest, and to cast your vote for your favorite, click here!