My golden retriever, Bailey, was brutally abandoned at a shelter by my husband, Adam, during my divorce. Bailey was family, not just a pet. Her desertion set off a series of events Adam could not have predicted.

Adam had been endearing at first, even feigning love for Bailey, but as our marriage progressed, his actual character became apparent. It was intolerable because of his selfishness and greed. I thought I was finally getting away from his manipulative ways when I filed for divorce, but he ejected me and wouldn’t let me keep Bailey.

I called shelters and eventually hired a private investigator in my never-ending search for her. Bailey, who had been adopted by another couple, was reunited with me a few weeks later. After they heard my story, they were gracious enough to give her back to me.

Adam had been concealing assets, including a lavish house purchased in his mother’s name, the investigator discovered in the interim. A court decision in my favor resulted from this information as well as proof from our joint account. With the settlement, I bought Bailey a house with a large yard, where she now spends her days chasing squirrels.

Bailey and I managed to create a new life despite everything, which served as a reminder that love and perseverance can restore a broken world.