Some Dogs Find You
Reflections on Trust, Bonding, and Leadership
By The Quiet Leader
Some dogs find you.
So do some people.
Leadership isn’t always about title, position, or role.
It isn’t about waiting for the perfect situation or the perfect audience.
It’s about being ready to lead — when life presents the opportunity.
Because sometimes, leadership walks right into your life.
Sometimes it shows up on your front lawn.
When Leadership Walks Into Your Life
It was late September 2023. I pulled into my driveway — and there, on my lawn, was a loose, skinny German Shepherd.
He wasn’t running. He wasn’t aggressive.
He was just there — thin, uncertain, alone.
I could have called Animal Control and left it at that.
I had things to do. It wasn’t “my job.”
But leadership doesn’t look away.
Leadership steps up — especially when no one asks.
I went inside, grabbed some Freshpet and dry food, and returned quietly.
I sat on the ground. Waited.
After some time, he approached — cautious but hungry.
And when he finally ate from my hand, I knew:
This was my responsibility now.
I worked with the North Las Vegas Animal Control Officer, Adriana Gross, who responded.
I asked that if no owner came forward, my name would be assigned to him.
But I wasn’t in a hurry to claim him.
You see — it was just after the 4th of July season.
I couldn’t stop thinking:
What if this was someone’s lost family dog?
What if a little boy out there had lost his best friend?
It would have broken my heart to take that chance from them.
So I waited. I called the shelter daily. Visited. Checked in person.
Seven days passed. No one claimed him.
On October 7th, after his required hold and surgery, he officially became mine.
They had named him Travis. It didn’t fit.
I considered other names — Seamus, German names — none felt right.
Then I thought of Dobby, the house elf — humble, loyal, unexpectedly brave.
That was the spirit in this dog.
His name is Dobby.
How Trust Blossomed
Dobby and I built trust the only way it’s ever truly built — slowly, steadily, through presence and consistency.
He passed his AKC Therapy Dog test — not because I forced him to “perform,” but because trust had been earned.
Today:
✅ He won’t eat unless I’m present.
✅ He lets others touch him — especially when I guide the interaction.
He watches me.
He follows my lead.
Not out of fear. Not out of conditioning.
Out of trust.
One moment stays with me.
I was working Dobby in Home Depot — the one near where I work.
Two young children — likely on the spectrum — bolted toward him, full of excitement.
I saw the look of panic in their mother’s eyes.
Before I even gave the command, Dobby was already going down — calm, grounded, steady.
I knelt beside him, hand resting on his collar, and calmly reassured her:
“It’s okay. No worries.”
Then I asked:
“Would your children like to pet him?”
She hesitated, then nodded. I guided them gently — explaining how to greet a dog safely:
👉 Approach slowly.
👉 Let the dog see you.
👉 Offer a hand, palm down.
👉 Pet on the shoulder or chest — never over the head.
Dobby remained calm, steady, grounded.
That wasn’t training.
That was trust — trust in me, and trust in himself.
Afterward, the mother confirmed — yes, both children were on the spectrum.
She was visibly relieved. Thankful that neither Dobby nor I had been bothered or impatient.
That moment stayed with me — because it reminded me:
Leaders, like good therapy dogs, should be guided first by compassion.
We so often get caught up in our own worries, tasks, and concerns —
that we forget to see the simple opportunities to make a difference.
Sometimes, it takes just one simple act to bless another’s day.
Dogs — well-trained, well-socialized dogs — do this instinctively.
I strive to follow Dobby’s lead:
To meet the world that way.
To lead with calm presence.
And to offer compassion without hesitation — and without thought.
Leadership Means Living It — Even If It’s Just You
That’s what leadership is.
It isn’t something you turn on when the cameras are rolling.
It’s not a performance for others to see.
It’s how you live — every day.
👉 Even if you live alone.
👉 Even if no one is watching.
👉 Even if the only eyes on you belong to a stray dog on your lawn.
Because when leadership is needed — it’s too late to pretend.
You either are someone worth trusting, or you aren’t.
And the only way to be ready — is to live it. Every day.
Some Dogs Find You. So Do Those You’re Meant to Lead.
If you’ve spent your life searching for something to fill a space inside —
Or wondering if your leadership matters —
Remember: leadership is often unseen.
You may not always know who’s watching.
But sometimes — those you’re meant to lead will find you.
When you least expect it.
It could be a stray dog.
It could be a young soldier.
A teammate. A child.
Someone who needs you to step up.
When that moment comes — you’ll know.
And then it’s your responsibility to be worthy of that trust.
Because some dogs find you.
And so do those you’re meant to lead.
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.