In Loving Memory

A poem I wrote in Rocket's memory: The Evidence You were here. Chew marks in carpet binding. Stray pieces of hay and fur missed by the vacuum. Teeth marks in the doorframe. I yelled at you when it happened. Now I look at it and smile because it was evidence that you were here. An empty bed. Toys untouched. Your medication in the refrigerator. You were here. All this love bottled up in my chest and my throat and behind my eyes. Late night tears. All of it evidence that you were loved and you were here.

Charlie brought so much love and joy to us each day. So grateful to have him the last 13 years. We loved him so very much. He is greatly missed and will always have a special place in our hearts.

Ziggy departed this earth and crossed the rainbow bridge on January 9th, 2026 at 1:34pm, leaving his cancer riddled body behind and is now pain free. He was a foster fail being rescued from a puppy mill and hoarding situation. One of the last to be chosen. A runt of the litter nine week old rust colored puppy, with health ailments, and one ear smaller than the other…but a heart of gold. He quickly became my best friend, traveling companion, and my soul dog for almost 16 years. He was with Brian and me through all of the good, bad, and the ugly. The stresses of life, the passing of family members, my battle with chronic illness, and major life altering surgery— where he was quite literally by my side in the hospital watching over me, and for that alone, I am eternally grateful. He was well-known and well loved by everyone who met him. I like to think my little guy led a very exciting and charmed life; from being on a TV commercial spot, winning multiple pet Halloween costume contests, attending football games to watch my husband Brian coach (where he was a VIP), to living in a condo in the Chicagoland area to his permanent and forever home here in Minnesota. He never wanted for anything. We made sure of that. He had great travels and adventures, fun sniffs at the dog park, and lots of swimming outings which was his favorite thing to do—and on brand for Ziggy, since most doxens do not like getting wet. Ziggy was a kind and gentle soul, friendly to everyone he met from people, to cats, and even small animals. He just exuded love because that was his nature. He just always wanted to be included. I’m not sure when it happened but sometime along the way he went from this little creature to be becoming viewed as what I would go on to call “my little furry child.” This is especially devastating because as many of my friends and family know, I am medically unable to have children. I don’t know what to do from here. The grief comes and goes, stealing the oxygen out of the room like a thief in the night—and suffocating me in its wake. Everything around me reminds me of Ziggy, and the memories go from cheerful to haunting in an instant. I can only hope that he knows this was a last act of love and he is at peace. I will miss you always Ziggy. Love, Mommy.

Scrappy Dapper Doo you were my favorite hello and hardest goodbye

Olive, thank you for being by my side while I grew up and allowing me to be your mom. You helped me grow in ways I can’t put into words and I’m beyond thankful for your companionship and love. Your whole family and little sister Hazel love you and miss you.

We love you Dougie! Missing you everyday

We will miss our handsome, sweetest boy. Thank you for being the best boy. We love you so and will miss you forever.

On 1/6/26 we said goodbye to the bestest boy, the bestest friend, my first baby. A piece of my heart will forever be missing. My heart is soo broken. We feel so lost. He was surrounded by all those he loved the most. We will cheris the memories we have had with Riley. Will hold onto them tight; We have had sooo many! Our baby boy is no longer in pain; he is flying high chasing all the fishies. Be free my bestest boy, see you at the rainbow bridge! We love you soo very much 🥰😘💔

We spent 7.5 short years together, but I will never forget you, nor will I ever stop loving you for the rest of my life. Till we meet again, my Luna.

Ollie was a sensitive and loving border Collie mix. We adopted him at 7 weeks old. He was 80% of the energy in our home and our hearts, and we miss him intensely.