Meet Aaron! He moved into Salem’s Sycamore Home June of 2010… in his first month of living at Salem, he was out walking near Walnut and Magnolia in Chino and found a cute little puppy running away from a lady trying to help it. This sweet ball of fur did not belong to the lady either. The puppy was abandoned and needed a home. Aaron had just moved into a new home. He brought the little ball of puff and asked his Salem staff if he could keep her. His grandparents said they would help him with vet bills but ultimately, the dog would have to be his responsibility. Salem staff agreed, Aaron would have to be the one to feed it, walk it, take care of it. Aaron, being the responsible young man he is, ensured he would take full care of his precious find. Fifteen years later… this puppy and Aaron have found a home at Salem Christian Homes.

Cindy Behnke: You already had all these new changes from moving out of your grandma’s place to Salem. Why did you want a dog??  
Aaron: She’s the sweetest. I found her and she needed me. I struggle with depression and I know dogs are good for that. They snuggle and help give responsibility.  CB: That’s so true! What did you decide to name your dog? Aaron: Rose.  
CB: Why Rose?
Aaron: That’s what fits. And that’s the main character from the Titanic.  CB: Love it. And this was a big responsibility to undertake for you and for Salem. Salem takes care of people, not pets. It was pretty cool they said “yes.”  And the fact she has lived for 15 years!  Aaron: Yes, but I love it. And she’s been fairly healthy, just her once a year check-up at the vet is all she has needed.  My grandfather helps pay for this. Rose is a good pup. She has her days when she doesn’t listen to anything.  

CB: Haha! What’s your favorite thing to do with Rose? Aaron: Well, she has switched her allegiances. So I love when she picks me as her favorite again.
CB: What do you mean?
Aaron: As you know, I moved to Oak Hill Home a while ago. Rose came with me. We both like it here. Then a couple years ago, when I went to Texas to visit my sister and niece and nephew, that’s when Rose changed her allegiances. She kicked me to the curb! And I raised her!  CB: How so?
Aaron: She imprinted on my housemate, Josh. She goes to him, follows him around. Prefers him now.  
CB: That’s sad, Aaron! But at least you have some help sharing her chores then, right?  
Aaron: Oh yeah. I do the feeding, and he does all the other stuff now. But when Josh goes home for a night or the weekend, she’s all about me again.  
CB: That’s crazy. Little dogs have minds of their own! I love how you were walking her around the Salem Fiesta. She was so sweet and calm. What do you do when you’re not busy with Rose? I remember when you were selling jewelry for a while!
Aaron: Oh yes. I’m very creative. I’ve made bracelets, lots of earrings too, hope to sell them at a farmer’s market or something. My great aunt just passed away so my grandma’s been busy with that.  Not very good communicating but would like to sell more is a goal. Need to figure out how to do it.  I tried on Etsy for a year but only made four sales! Depending on my mood, I also like to draw. And I love to make Legos.
CB: Your Lego collection is quite impressive (full cabinet in the living room because shelves in room became too full!) What’s your favorite?
Aaron: I don’t have a favorite Lego. My favorite person is my grandma. I really like going to see her. I get along with them so well. She’s very sweet. We go out to dinner twice a month with her, me and my brother (who lives at Salem’s Palm Place Home). Then on the other two Thursdays a month, we go out just her and me. We just went and saw Jurassic Park – the scenery was beautiful, but the dinosaurs were just ok. The T-rex was good!

CB: How fun is that! Do you have any other family?
Aaron: My brother at Palm Place I see. Then I don’t talk to my other brother very much. And I only really talk to one of my sisters. She was the one that lived in Texas but now she lives up in Northern California.
CB: Wait, what are you looking at?
Aaron: We currently have gophers in our backyard. They keep coming up! Rose is too old to bother them. Plus she’s a sweetheart.
CB: Oh Rose! Ok Aaron, what would you want our readers to know about if they were thinking about joining a Salem home, with or without a dog 😊
Aaron: I’d like you to know... I like having a home to go to. Having housemates and being able to be independent while living here is cool, too.  
CB: That’s great Aaron. We are glad you are here. And what about dog ownership? Aaron: I recommend a dog very much for companionship. But don’t leave too long or they’ll go imprint on someone else!
Aaron is 34 years old and has been at Salem since 2010. He’s worked at several places, OPARC Francis, SCS, OPARC DI, and is currently on a “work hiatus” he shared. He stays busy and entertained with hanging out at home, video games, Legos, Netflix, creating jewelry, and of course, with his best furry pal, Rose.