Everywhere I look, memories of the first days and weeks with my sweet-as-pie, oh-so-sensitive lovebug Gavin. I can now laugh at the ridiculousness of the two of us getting to know each other, the watching and listening dance that transpires when we bring someone new into our lives and hearts. When I brought Gavin home, I thought,… View more
I met a dog named Prince at the shelter a couple of weeks ago. He was a sweet peanut who looked like a cross between Timon from Lion King and Hobbes from the iconic comic book strip. As I sat on the floor with him nestled in the crook of my arm while I rubbed his belly… View more
One of my all-time favorite quotes is from Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White, “Why did you do all this for me?’ he asked, ‘I don’t deserve it. I’ve never done anything for you.’ “You have been my friend,’ replied Charlotte. ‘That in itself is a tremendous thing.” — Wilbur and Charlotte. The non-judgemental, ego-less, limitless-loved-filled friendships that dogs… View more
When I left the dog shelter Monday, my heart and soul were peaceful after volunteering with two dogs. One dog was silly and sweet, and the other was super shy, so she and I sat on the floor together after a short stroll outside on a beautiful sunny day, and I let her tell me what… View more
When I trained dogs, I seemed to attract people struggling with leash reactivity, and it always made sense to me. It’s how I fell in love with and into dog training, Finn’s barking at other dogs. My favorite clients were always the ones whose happiness with my services or their dog wasn’t contingent on behavioral… View more
The day after Gavin and I moved into our current apartment, we went for a walk. It was a perfect 70ish-degree day, sunny and quiet. I let him pick our route. I wanted my sweet boy to find his way in his own time. Our slow, sniff-filled stroll was heavenly. We both blissfully be-bopped along, glancing and… View more
When Gavin and I moved from Chicago to Columbus with my brother and nephew, I was convinced that suburban life would be easier for my sweet, sound-sensitive boy. However, after a few weeks, Gavin started stressing about walks because every house seemed to have a dog barking out the window at him. And, well, in… View more
My nephew turned 16 last weekend, and I joined his mom’s side of the family at a local driving range. Not much makes me laugh wilder, with my whole being, than doing something I’m terribly unskilled at—golf, well, let’s say I cackled so profoundly, I was crying. However, my goal for the night was not… View more
My mom joined me for a liverwurst run. As I was bagging groceries for the shop, I overheard her ask, “which one’s your favorite?” And when I turned around, I saw her holding up two candy bars in front of the cashier, who replied, “Reese’s.” My mom said, “put it on my bill and take… View more
I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. Nor am I ready to share that my sweet, silly, smushy boy crossed the rainbow bridge on January 7th. Because of Gavin’s endless adoration and immeasurable devotion, my sense of self is more profound than the last time I navigated the grieving process and tricky emotional terrain that is giving… View more
