Five important lessons rescue dogs can teach you

1. Never judge a book by its cover.

Some dog breeds get a bad rap, which can make people reticent to adopt them. But each dog is more than just their breed. For example, Rain, a young dalmatian, was virtually unadoptable because of her breed's reputation for biting and moodiness.

"When I told people I was rescuing a dalmatian, for the first time I was warned against adopting a dog," Asher says. "When I rescue pit bulls, I hear a lot of 'Thank goodness, pit bulls are so misunderstood.' But with a dalmatian, all I heard was, 'I don't know if that's such a good idea.'"

Rain did exhibit some of these negative breed traits. When Asher took her leash for the first time, she attempted to bite him. Thankfully, Asher recognized her behavior for what it was—a sign of fear. He didn't let her initial behavior deter him. He stayed calm and led with confidence. Over time, he proved to Rain that he was safe, earning her love and trust. Now, she's a regular member of the pack.

"Don't hang on to first, second, or even third impressions," Asher says. "Important things take time, patience, open-mindedness, and the courage to wait."

2. Don't be afraid to take a risk.

Would you adopt a dog that constantly tried to run away? Such a risky pup would make most people shy away, but Asher took on the challenge when he adopted Ken, a handsome all-white mixed breed with some husky in him.

Ken's reputation as an escape artist made him a high-risk adoption. However, Asher found a kindred spirit in Ken and decided to bring him home.

"I knew the risks I was taking in adopting Ken given his history," Asher says, "but I was sure I could save him and provide the type of life and freedom he wanted and deserved."

When Ken arrived at the sanctuary, Asher made sure to take him everywhere on a leash to help him get comfortable in his new home and with his new pack. Now, Ken is a dog that won't leave Asher's side.

"The truth is, Ken wasn't running away. He was running to something: the home that could meet his needs, that trusted him, and that he could trust," Asher says. "I've given him his freedom, and in return, he always comes back."

3. Believe in second chances.

When animal control found Ray, they assumed the worst about this German shepherd. She and another dog had run away from a bad situation and were found next to a third dog who was deceased, leading animal control to believe that she or the other dog was to blame.

Ray also was severely anxious and wasn't outgoing. Combined with her story, Ray's anxiety made many people believe she was a dangerous dog and a liability. But her history didn't stop Asher from giving Ray a home.

"Here's the reality: No one saw the situation unfold or the circumstances that led to one dog's death," Asher says. "And the staff [of the Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County] saw no signs of aggression in Ray at all. What they saw was a beautiful, frightened girl."

Asher's belief in second chances paid off. Now, Ray is thriving at the sanctuary and has bonded strongly with Asher and her new pack.

"I don't make a dog's history its identity. Every dog is treated like they were born the day we meet. I learn what I need to know through my own experience of them rather than from what I've been told. Honestly, we should practice this more with our human companions too."

4. Practice selflessness.

Putting another's needs above your own can be difficult, especially when it means letting go. Asher learned this lesson when he adopted Nacho, a 12-week-old pit bull.

Asher had previously raised a puppy, a rottweiler named Doug, among the pack. But he quickly learned that bringing a young dog, especially a male, into a pack of five or more dogs was incredibly challenging. However, Asher's love for Nacho and his grief from a recent dog's passing made him ignore his instincts.

"Unfortunately, it took only a month for me to acknowledge I wouldn't be able to keep Nacho forever," Asher says. "At just a couple of months old, he was already challenging the other dogs. I was worried he was going to develop bad habits, or worse, risk his and the pack's safety. I didn't need to learn a hard lesson twice."

In the end, it was his love for Nacho and the rest of his pack that pushed Asher to do the right thing and put the dogs' needs above his own desires. Nacho now lives in a quieter home with a family who can give him the time and training he needs to be the best version of himself.

"[Nacho's] thriving in his forever home, with no behavior issues—proof I made the right decision," Asher says. "I've had to learn the hard way that it doesn't matter if I want to keep a dog, if it's my dream dog, or if I'm grieving another soul. I always have to do what's best for the dog in front of me and for the pack."

5. Have a sense of humor.

If laughter is the best medicine, then Asher gets multiple doses a day thanks to Tommy, the pack's class clown.

When they first met, Asher was dealing with the immense pressure and expectations of opening a dog sanctuary. However, Tommy's goofy teeth and silly, stubborn personality brought the right amount of levity to combat Asher's worries.

"Tommy reminded me to slow down and enjoy the moment," Asher says. "I'll never forget the day I toured him around the property, only to have him sprint into the freezing cold rock quarry and swim laps. Chasing him into the water, fully clothed, I laughed harder than I had in ages. His goofy spirit brought light back into my days. He became a source of humor, gratitude, and hope."

Tommy's presence serves as a reminder to Asher and others of the heart and fun a rescue dog can bring to someone's life.

Want to learn more lessons from Asher's pack of rescue dogs? Pick up a copy of Saved by the Pack by visiting Books.Disney.com/Book/Saved-By-The-Pack.

All photos courtesy of Aaron Huey/National Geographic.