When Traci Simonton first met Dilly, her English Bull Terrier, she didn’t know he’d become the soul of her book. Dilly was a goofy, stubborn, pizza-crust-loving whirlwind with a head shaped like a football and eyes that sparkled with mischief. In other words, he was perfect.
English Bull Terriers came into Traci’s life by accident. Her husband, Dave, had always loved “bullies”. Their unique looks and playful personalities charmed him. So, when Traci met Dave, she also met Stella for the first time. Stella was Dave’s second bull terrier, with white fur, a brown ear, and a brown ring near the top of her tail. Over time, Traci and Dave enjoyed many years with Stella.
At one point, Traci and Dave decided to work with the local rescue groups to be foster parents to a bull terrier until the dog was placed with their “fur-ever” family. Cabo and Skipper each came to live with Traci and Dave, learning what it was like to be loved and treated as part of the family. Both dogs were very undernourished and full of fleas and ticks when they arrived. But before they left, they were the picture of perfect health. Eventually, both Cabo and Skipper were adopted by families who welcomed them with open arms.
As time went on, Stella became older and began to slow down. She had been Dave’s “baby” before he even met Traci. When the time came, Traci knew there would be a hole where Stella used to be. So, to make up for the loss, Traci decided to surprise Dave with a bull terrier puppy. After a 3-hour plane ride, Traci and her daughter, Chelsea, drove to the airport to pick up Dilly.
As the two approached the baggage claim area, they saw Dilly’s crate. With a closer look, they saw Dilly’s little face peeking out of the crate near the opening. Chelsea looked at Traci and said, “There’s Dilly”! With that, his ears stood up, and the barking began. When they reached the crate, they let Dilly out of the crate, tail wagging and puppy kisses for all. That was only half the story.
There was a two-hour car ride to get home. There was no sleeping on the way home. Instead, Dilly was in the back seat with Chelsea, begging for belly rubs and kisses. One last stop at the pet store before heading home. Dilly walked right over to the toy section and selected his own toy, an alligator, which he still has to this day. After sniffing many objects, he grabbed the toy off the shelf, carried it to the cashier, and then out to the car. Finally, Dilly was ready to go home.
The entire time, Dave thought Traci and Chelsea were Christmas shopping. Traci walked into the house and asked Dave to help bring in the gifts that were in the car. As he walked to the car, he saw little ears peeking up from inside. To say Dave was surprised was an understatement. It was love at first sight!
Life with Dilly has never been boring. He chewed shoes, stole snacks, and once ate part of the water heater. There have been times he was found standing in the middle of the dining room table, unable to get down by himself. But he also had moments of pure tenderness. When Dave was sick and not feeling well, Dilly was right there with his head on Dave’s lap, hoping he would feel better. When Traci worked late, he climbed up onto the sofa and slept, just to be nearby. He wasn’t a “good” dog by traditional standards, but he is loyal, funny, and deeply loved.
Over time, Traci noticed how people reacted to Dilly. Some smiled at his antics. Others frowned at his energy or his odd shape. It reminded her of the dogs she’d seen in shelters—overlooked for being scuffed, shy, or simply not fluffy enough. Dilly, with his curly tail and goofy grin, was proof that “imperfect” dogs had perfect hearts.
That’s when Rukkus began to take shape. Traci imagined a dog like Dilly, sitting in a shelter, waiting for someone to see past his imperfections. She pictured a child like Gia, who knew what it felt like to be passed over. The story wrote itself because it was real. Dilly’s quirks became Rukkus’ charm. Traci didn’t want a perfect hero. She wanted a dog who felt alive—scars, messes, and all.
But this story isn’t about Dilly. It’s about the millions of pets in shelters, waiting for someone to look deeper. Dogs like Rukkus aren’t broken. They’re survivors. They’ve lost homes, outlived trends, or been judged for their size. Yet they still wag their tails. Still trust. Still love.
Adopting pets often heals us the most. They don’t care if you’re tired, stressed, or having a bad hair day. They see you… and love you exactly as you are. In return, they ask for a warm bed, a full bowl, and maybe a bite of your pizza crust.
If you’ve ever walked past a shelter kennel, feeling unsure, remember Rukkus. The best families aren’t the ones we’re born into. They’re the ones we choose.
