Continuing a Mother Dog’s Love: The Promise We Make When We Bring a Puppy Home
A heartfelt look at a mother dog’s love, from the whelping pen to the promise we make when we bring a puppy home. A favorite essay from the archives.
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Why I’m Passionate About Offering Help for Dog Owners (and How My Story Led Here)
After sharing my new branding — the colors, the logo, the shift toward writing about life with dogs instead of only helpful dog information — I noticed something interesting. I keep drifting right back to writing articles that provide help for dog owners. And like any writer who is also a Pisces and an over‑thinker,…
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It’s Almost Like I Got Him on Purpose: Watching Quill Become the Dog He Was Meant to Be
After losing Tink, I found unexpected healing in watching Quill grow into the dog he was meant to be. A story of grief, presence, and becoming.
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Because Love Wins: Why We Keep Getting Dogs
Dog grief, love, and healing—this post explores why we keep getting dogs, even after loss. Because love wins.
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Reactive Dog Training Success: Quill’s Breakthrough in Leash Walking Skills
After too many chaotic walks, grief, and missed training windows, I finally faced the truth: my reactive Labrador needed more than love—he needed a plan. In this post, I share our 90-day journey through reactive dog training, loose leash walking tips, and the Premack Principle, all while navigating dog walking after grief. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your dog’s pulling, barking, or reactivity, this story offers practical tools, emotional clarity, and a reminder that progress is possible—one step and sniff at a time.
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Protecting the Dogs We Love: My Pet Insurance Story
I almost titled this post “13,000 Reasons to Get Pet Insurance”—because that’s what Quill’s vet bills totaled when he was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis in 2023. But really, there’s only one reason: protecting your ability to make life-saving decisions at the vet’s office. In this article, I will share why I encourage all dog…
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Quill’s Awesome Mix: Decoding My Dog’s Vocalizations
Peter Quill had his Awesome Mix—a cassette filled with memories, grief, and joy. My Quill has his own version: a vocal playlist of sneezes, sighs, and guttural sounds that score our days together. He’s the most vocal Labrador Retriever I’ve ever known, and each sound he makes is a track on the album of our…
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Cosmic Timing: The Puppy We Almost Didn’t Get
This is the story of our Labrador retriever Quill, and how sometimes life happens but love (aka a puppy) shows up anyway.
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And Just Like That, Another Heart Dog is by My Side
Can you have more than one heart dog? A soulful reflection on love, loss, and soulmates—through decades of dogs and Sex and the City episodes.
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Pixie-Dusted: A Labrador Named Tinkerbell
If you’ve ever loved a dog so deeply that they became part of your soul, then you’ll understand this tribute. This is the story of Tinkerbell—our black Labrador whose twelve years and two days with us were pixie-dusted in silliness, love, and unforgettable magic.
