Welcoming a rescue dog into your home means gaining a lifelong, loyal companion!
When Graham and Skip Fellers from Asheville, North Carolina, adopted Dime, they had no idea he would soon become the center of their world!
With his difficult past behind him, Dime embraced his new life with his adoptive parents, ready to share an incredible journey together. But along the way, the couple uncovered a heartbreaking secret about their beloved dog…
Dime – A Gentle Giant
Source: @porkandpals
Dime spent the first three months of his life in a junkyard in Atlanta, Georgia, alongside a pack of other dogs. One day, he and his father made a daring escape over the fence, and Dime found refuge with a kind-hearted woman who took him in.
Just a few days later, Graham Fellers received a call from a friend in Atlanta asking if he knew anyone who might adopt Dime. Without hesitation, Graham stepped up!
The moment he saw Dime, he was smitten. And in just a matter of days, this lucky pup had found his perfect forever home!
Source: @porkandpals
Graham and his wife, Skip, were overjoyed to welcome Dime into their loving home. Nestled in the mountains, their spacious surroundings provided the perfect playground for their new pup—an environment Dime quickly grew to love.
At first, Dime was shy, taking a couple of months to fully settle in. But as time passed, his gentle and loving nature shined through. Despite growing into a giant, he remained the sweetest, most affectionate lovebug.
In 2020, Graham and Skip decided to expand their family by adopting another dog—an American Bully named Pork Roll. Though completely different from Dime, the two formed an instant and unbreakable bond.
Source: @porkandpals
Unlike his older brother, Pork Roll was a goofy, high-energy pup who kept Skip and Graham endlessly entertained.
“He either has the energy of a Tasmanian devil or he’s napping for six hours after breakfast. He’s stubborn, playful, goofy, and ALWAYS gets his way,” Skip shared on Instagram.
Despite their differences, Pork Roll and Dime became inseparable. They spent their days playing outside, going on walks together, and curling up next to each other for naps—proving that their bond was truly special.
Despite his close bond with Pork Roll, Dime’s heart belonged to his dad. He was deeply attached to Graham, and the two shared an unbreakable connection. It’s safe to say they had their own little world—one built on love, trust, and endless companionship.
A Heartbreaking Surprise
Source: @porkandpals
Years into his life with the Fellers family, Dime’s owners began noticing something unusual—he was favoring one of his feet and struggling with movement more than before. Concerned, they took him to the vet for an examination.
Tragically, after nearly nine wonderful years, Dime was diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy, a progressive disease affecting his spinal cord. Over time, it weakened his hind legs and caused increasing numbness, making mobility more difficult.
Determined to give Dime the best quality of life, Graham and Skip did everything they could to support him. In the early stages, he only needed a bit of extra help during walks, so his dad came up with a solution—he designed a special harness to support Dime’s hind legs, allowing him to keep enjoying his daily adventures.
The couple also got Dime a wheelchair, allowing him to move around more independently. It gave him the freedom to enjoy his walks again, despite his condition.
Sometimes, his little brother, Porkie, would even tug the wheelchair during their walks, as if helping Dime along—showing just how deep their bond truly was.
Despite his progressing condition, Dime never lost his spirit. He embraced his new reality without hesitation, adjusting to his limitations with remarkable resilience. Even with a new set of challenges, he remained as happy as ever, surrounded by the love of his family.
“Dime has lived the most full life with us. He’s been to baseball games, national parks, backpacking trips, hundreds of restaurant patios, the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and countless hikes all over,” his mom shared on Instagram.
Source: @porkandpals
Dime’s family makes sure he feels included in everything. Alongside Pork Roll, he continues to cherish every moment in the mountains, living life to the fullest.
He still enjoys walks with his dad, long cuddle sessions on the couch, and plenty of well-deserved treats for being the best boy.
Graham and Skip are endlessly grateful to have Dime by their side. To them, his disease is just a small hurdle—not something that will ever dim the love and joy he brings into their lives.