The Jackson Animal Clinic is your average veterinarian office. Inside, they heal the sick and mend the broken. But on this day, they are offering one 13-year old, a glimpse at what might be.

Anthony has a huge heart spilling over with love for anything with four legs and fur.
"I don't really like school, but I'm going to do my best in school. Because when I get older I'm going to take care of animals. I love animals," he says.

So he is looking at what his future could hold, and it appears he's on the right track.

Anthony has been in foster care for as long as he can remember. Moving from place to place, searching to love and be loved in return.

I asked him why he holds animals so close to his heart.
"Because I love animals. And I don't want to drop them!"

I explain what I mean by the question and he responds, "I've never really had a family and they are like a family to me."

That's why he's not willing to shut them out, even when he has a human family of his own.
"I said my biggest wish is to be adopted by a good family that will let me have my own pets to take care of. Even if my allowance had to be to pay for food, I'll take care of them," he says.
All a pet needs ... All anyone needs.

This is a copy of a paper Anthony had to write for school about his biggest wish:

"My biggest wish is to be adopted by a family that enjoys having
me around, let's me spend time with my friends and trusting me when I
go. Let's me date people my own age. Let's me have my own cat or dog,
even if my allowance had to pay for food. And also let me have time to
myself. The reason I want these things is because I want to know how it is to have a good family that respects me. I also like spending time
with animals and friends instead of being home all day. Now you know
what my biggest wish is for my life. I haven't really been with a
family most of my life and I'd like to know what it is like to have one.
And I have never had time to have something to enjoy like a cat or
dog."

For more information on Anthony, log onto www.adoptawvchild.org.
Or you can call 1-866-CALL-MWV.
In Ohio, you can contact your county children's services office.
The number in Washington County is 740-373-3485.