The one who changed it all.

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You love your dog.

I mean you really love her. She is the center of your world and you can’t imagine life without her. She has been there for you during all life’s ups and downs.

You got her young maybe from a breeder, maybe as a rescue. You remember the joy of taking her home and saying “It’s just you and me girl, let’s do this!” She looked up at you with love and gratefulness, promising to be by your side and do whatever it took to make you happy.

Yeah, it took a little adjusting at first. You lost more than one favorite pair of shoes in the process, but day in and day out, she was there for you. Long, stressful days at work turned into playful, peaceful evenings with her by your side. Whether out for a run, playing in the backyard, or curled up on the couch watching NCIS, you could always count on her to put a smile, and some of that slobber, on your face.

Apartment after apartment, relationship after relationship, job after job, and move after move, there was always one constant in your life. You never thought you’d be able to make it through the death of your dad; your friends tried but never knew quite what to say. (I mean, is there really anything ‘right’ to say anyways?) But she knew. She knew you just needed someone to be there, to be still and just love you. Many times you’d come home and just bury your head into her soft fur and she’d lick away the tears. She pulled you out of that dark hole and into the light.

She was there to celebrate landing your dream job and finding your perfect home. She was there when you met your (future) spouse and helped you get ready on your wedding day.

She’s been there. Through it all.

You look down at her now, laying by the sliding glass door soaking up the sun and you start to tear up. She’s still strong but you can tell she’s lost a bit of pep. Her eyes are a bit bluer than they used to be, and it takes her a few tries to jump onto the couch. She still greets you at the door, excited you’re home, but some days it takes a few times of calling her name first. She sleeps in more than usual and her joints bit stiffer when she wakes up, too.

You know heartache is coming. Maybe not this year, maybe not even for the next 3, but someday, way before you’re ready, you know you’ll need to let go. While you’ll eventually love another dog, you’ll never have or love another dog like you loved her.

This is my story with Kona.


Rescued from a pound in Florida at 6 months, She turned 13 this May! And of course, I threw her a birthday party.

Kona’s birthday adventure started with a delicious breakfast of Starbucks pup-cups, and you guessed it, iced black coffee for me before heading to do her favorite thing ever! Swim with her brothers at Paws to Swim.

Birthday party at paws to swim

After she was good and worn out, we celebrated with a photoshoot, cookies and cake from Clementine's Dog Bakery. Ahh, these happy smiles just kill me!

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Yes, some folks my think I’m “crazy,” That’s fine; they don’t have to understand my love for her. She does, and that’s all that matters. I’ve made a promise to her to make her golden years filled with her favorite things and lots of adventures. Last month, we took a weekend girls trip to Charleston with mom.

But you’ll have to wait to hear about that; Kona wants to go play now.

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Speed Edit: Kona at Tredegar Iron Works in RVA