A Year In Reflection
Endings and New Beginnings š„¹
As 2025 comes to a close, Iām taking a moment to reflect on a year filled with challenges, heartbreak, and joy. Every high and low has shaped my journey as and deepened the bonds I share with the pets and people I serve.
This year, I have thought a lot about the lessons Iāve learned from the pets who truly shaped me.
I still carry Frances with me, my familyās dog who was misdiagnosed and suffered for 6 months before passing on the operating table. That heartbreak taught me the importance of proactive care and advocating fiercely for the pets we love. When I adopted Lily, I committed to being her health and wellness advocateāspeaking up, applying what Iāve learned, and protecting her well-being every step of the way, a commitment I continue today as I help manage her chronic UTIs, kidney disease, and oral health.
š Heartbreak that shaped me āØ
On June 24th, 2025 we said goodbye to my beloved Mr. Dixon Pugstable. Losing him has been one of the most painful experiences in my life.
Grief comes in wavesāsometimes soft and quiet, sometimes sharp and unexpectedāshowing up in moments I never anticipated and reminding me just how deeply we were connected.
He was ā
of the reason why I began this journey as a Canine Concierge. I wanted to fight for dogs like him. To help pet parents ask the right questions. To support professionals in a way that ensures no pet falls through the cracks. More than Luna & Lily, he lit that fire in me. I adopted Dixon because of his special needs, not in spite of themāand he quickly became my greatest teacher. When traditional vets couldnāt provide answers, I became a certified animal caregiver and consulted with national experts to fight for his health. From dermatitis to arthritis to dementia, he defied the odds and lived a full 18 years. Along the way, he taught me everything I know about the gut microbiome and continues to inspire the work Iām so passionate about today.
Now in his absence, I feel him with me. Heās been sending me dragons š āat home, on TV and in shadows ā gentle signs that heās still near and at peace. If youāve ever lost a beloved pet, you know how powerful those messages can be. Theyāre quiet but undeniable. A reminder that love never really leaves. And thenāone of the quiet highs of this year is that we didnāt replace Dixonā¦ but we did open our hearts again after fostering for 2 months, we adopted Darla!
She came to us after being surrendered to The Animal Foundation with a damaged eye, later transferred to a local pug rescue where she received the surgery she so desperately needed. When she arrived, she was fragile and clearly traumatizedābut we watched her, day by day, begin to feel safe, to trust, and to learn how to love again. As she healed, she brought laughter, curiosity, and a new rhythm into our home. Watching her transformation made it clear that she wasnāt just passing through. Thatās when we made the decision to officially make her a Pugstable āhonoring her journey, her resilience, and everything Dixon was and Luna still is to me.
Hereās to a year of growth, learning, and unconditional loveāand to the moments that quietly shape who we become. Iām endlessly grateful for the pets, people, and experiences that made this year so meaningful. What moments shaped your year? šš¾
