HOUSTON -- Their love of dogs was one of the common bonds that helped bring Astros pitcher Justin Verlander and his super model wife, Kate Upton, together, and now the couple is trying to help dogs in Houston find someone who will love them as well. “I was depressed and kind of just upset at the world and trying to hide my own s–––.”After defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the World Series in November, Verlander flew with Upton to Italy, where they married in a lavish ceremony.With Upton’s help, Verlander entered physical rehab and learned to adjust his playing style for his aging body. Being that famous? “I mean, being a woman? 'Right at home: 'I'm a huge animal lover and I've always been. She understood better than most people what came with being at the center of the public eye and the target of critics.When a coach pulled him from the first inning of a game that August and asked him to get an MRI, Verlander thought “the end” of his career had come, and he wept as he walked back to the clubhouse.Verlander returned to form in a few seasons time, and when he was eventually traded from the Tigers to the Astros during the 2017 season, he was instrumental in leading the team to their first MLB championship just months later.Verlander opened up about his depression and how Upton saved his career and life“Who knows, if I’m even here if it wasn’t for her?” Verlander told the publication.“She obviously had dealt with more than me in her life,” said Verlander. Tickets are needed to stay for the 1:05 game — the final outing before the Tigers head to Detroit for the regular season. Verlander and Upton played host to their fourth annual Grand Slam Adoption Event outside Minute Maid Park on Sunday as part of the Astros Dog … Through this difficult time, Upton, 26, remained Verlander’s rock. "'And after adopting Harley, Kate says she understands exactly just how important the issue of animal adoption really is. For a good cause: 'Bringing awareness to how great shelter dogs are and how important animals are to bringing people together, for happiness and for healing, it was an obvious choice for me,' she said of her involvement in the charityPublished by Associated Newspapers LtdThe self-confessed animal lover was seen cuddling up to dogs looking for forever homes at the Grand Slam Adoption Event With Wins For Warriors Foundation event in Lakeland.Field day: The engaged couple seemed to love meeting all the dogs looking for homes at the adoption drive'I'm a huge animal lover and I've always been,' she confessed. Dressed in a powder blue, collared shirt and navy shorts, he is a whirlwind alpha-dog presence. Being in that industry? The self-confessed animal lover was seen cuddling up to dogs looking for homes. Upton and Verlander are scheduled to attend the 11 a.m. event, which includes dog adoptions, limited edition T-shirts, a virtual silent auction and family-friendly activities such as mascots and music. That was a level I hadn’t dealt with.”“She was instrumental in me not… like, jumping off a bridge,” Verlander, 35, said of Upton. 'The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.And she's not the only one, confessing he sporty fiance is also a sucker for a puppy dog face. 'A lot of shelter dogs get a bad rap, but it’s so important for people looking for dogs to check out shelters,' she added. I'm Juliet with my Romeo,' Kate captioned this Instagram photoLove at first sight: The pair seemed thrilled as they played with the dogs who were up for adoption at the eventIt's the third consecutive year the couple have hosted the event, which also aims to help military veterans suffering from PTSD. Justin Verlander — who married his supermodel wife, Kate Upton, last year — is crediting the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model with saving his life and career. 'I think it’s important for people to save an animal if they can. Kate Upton and Justin Verlander are huge dog-lovers who have helped hundreds of shelter dogs find their forever homes with their Grand Slam pet adoption event for the past 3 years. The pet event is free. So getting in and supporting a cause for adopting dogs and bringing awareness to how great shelter dogs are and how important animals are to bringing people together, for happiness and for healing, it was an obvious choice for me. Even if I throw the ball, he’ll bring it back to Justin and be like, "She’s sweet for trying, but can you throw it now?