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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Do Dogs Have Friends? (Chewie & Quill Say Yes.)
When Chewie came to stay with us this winter, I expected playtime, chaos, and maybe a few muddy pawprints. What I didn’t expect was a front-row seat to the science of canine friendship unfolding in my living room. Dogs form selective, stable social bonds that look an awful lot like the friendships we humans cherish, and watching Chewie and Quill negotiate life together — from humping and stressed out whale eyes to synchronized antler chewing — reminded me just how deeply dogs connect.
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Walking the Fine Line Between Gratitude and Worry: Life With a Myasthenia Gravis Dog
Life with a Myasthenia Gravis dog means walking a fine line between gratitude and worry. Here’s how we balance normal life with constant, careful monitoring.
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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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Everyday Dog Moments | Practical Info for Dog Owners | Stories from Life with Dogs | Training & Behavior
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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What It Really Means to Love and Care for a Sick Dog
As I was headed out to make two stops for Tinkerbell’s medicines—wondering if I was going to need one more prescription filled and if my vet had gotten the message I’d left—I caught myself thinking “This is just SO hard. I’ve been taking care of sick dogs for almost 4 years, and it’s HARD.” …
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Podcast Guest Appearance: Mega-E Misfits Podcast
I was so honored to be a guest on the Mega-E Misfits podcast, where I shared my black Labrador Retriever Quill’s story. Listen to learn about Quill’s rapid onset of mega-esophagus, his Myasthenia Gravis diagnosis, and how we managed his condition at the worst of his illness.
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Quill’s Myasthenia Gravis Journey, Part 2: Diagnosing a Seronegative Dog
Quill’s first collapse happened on the coldest night of the winter. We were walking through the yard on a potty break, and his entire body collapsed. It was below zero, and most of his abdomen was missing fur from a recent ultrasound. I struggled to pick him up, but his entire body was as if he had no bones.
