I adopted Dexter when he was one. For the first 12 months of his life, Dexter lived in a laboratory with a litter of beagles. While most puppies get to run around outside and feel the grass under their paws, Dexter and his siblings were helping doctors figure out important information about medicine. My older sister, who worked in the hospital, visited the dogs regularly and told me they were putting them up for adoption. My sister picked out Dexter right away. Unlike all of the other beagles, he never howled and he loved being held. When doctors had to give the dogs shots, Dexter never minded, instead he would cuddle in their lap and lean against their body. Once I adopted Dexter it took him a long time to get used to the loud noises and busy streets in New York City. On walks his tail was always stuck between his legs and he would scamper between my legs when trucks would pass by. Dexter was used to living inside, not outside.