I have many values that I cherish dearly and intend to hold on to for the remainder of my life. However, I can say with the utmost certainty that love and compassion are my most treasured of values. When I was just about 10 years old, a family of stray dogs used to live in the abandoned garage that was situated about a block from my house. I would see them every day as I walked back from school; the father, the mother and three puppies frolicking around without a care in the world. However, on a Saturday morning, my mother informed me that Animal Control had taken the dog family away due to complaints from neighbors about their barking. Heartbroken, I sprinted over to the garage to see if my mom was indeed telling the truth. When I got there, I could see no dogs but I heard a faint whimpering coming from the car tire inside the garage. Upon investigation, I discovered that one of the pups had been left behind and was now shivering with fear as he didn’t know where the rest of his family was. Knowing full well that he was one phone call away from being abducted like his parents, I knew in my heart that I had to adopt this puppy. My parents loved the idea and so we were blessed with a new addition to the family, Oreo. I often think back to that point and wonder what happened inside me that convinced me to pick up a stray dog and bring it to my house. My grandmother was always fond of the saying “Love is the only force that transcends all rational thought”. I realized that that scenario was the perfect application of that saying. The rational thought would have been to not get involved and leave the puppy, however my values compelled me to pick up this puppy I knew nothing of and go home; a decision I have not regretted to this day. My grandmother’s words solidified the beauty of love and compassion into me and I will continue to uphold these values above anything else.