John Cash cracks open handfuls of pecans for his dog, Brew, as they enjoy a sunny afternoon in their backyard. Brew was once one of many animals turned in to the Foothills Humane Society who need forever homes. (photo by Samantha Hurst)

Eighty-three pounds of nothing but puppy plops down on the ground beside John Cash underneath the pecan tree in his backyard.

As Cash cracks two pecans against each other, Brew’s eyes become fixated on the prize inside his master’s hands. His nostrils flare and his smile widens.

“People keep telling me how great it was for us to rescue Brew. But I didn’t rescue Brew, Brew rescued me,” Cash said.

John and Diane Cash of Landrum adopted Brew from the Foothills Humane Society in May of this year. John, who owns Nature’s Storehouse in Tryon, was still reeling from the death of his son, Justin, when their 15-year-old Huskie had to be put down.

“I just didn’t think I could love something so much again only to lose it,” Cash said. “People kept telling me, “Get another dog, get another dog, but I just couldn’t do it.”

Then Cash met Brew.

It wasn’t love at first sight necessarily. Cash’s heart was still broken and he couldn’t convince himself he was ready to pour out that kind of love again.

Brew, however, knew Cash was meant to be his owner.

“He came straight to me and sat down on my foot,” John said. “I fell in love with that crazy dog – he picked me out.”

It still took time for Cash to convince himself to bring Brew home. But once he did, he knew he had met Brew for a reason.

Since adopting Brew from FHS, Cash and Brew have become regular faces on the downtown streets of Landrum; usually grabbing a seat in one of the Adirondack chairs outside Amish Foothills Furniture to people-watch. Cash said they could sit there for hours.
“That dog has ministered to me on so many levels,” Cash said. “I needed something so badly to brighten my day and he’s been it. One of my favorite parts of the day is going home to see my dog.”

If you are interested in giving an animal a forever home and possibly being rescued yourself, visit www.foothillshumanesociety.org for more information about adoption.