“We all love her,” the shelter director said, summarizing the shelter staff’s feelings about Ember, a dog who’s sweet and caring, even though she was never cared for herself. Ember had litter after litter of puppies. Instead of spaying her, her people simply got rid of her when they’d had enough puppies.

Now Ember is spayed and, with more practice at loving than any other dog in the shelter, Ember is wishing and pleading for a human companion she can love as unconditionally as she loved her puppies. Her sincere face sends that message.

Ember promises, too, to be easy to love. The shelter staff verifies that. “She’s been nothing but perfect,” the director says. Poor, under loved Ember wants a chance to prove that.