All Dogs go to Heaven too soon

It’s hard to find the words for this kind of grief. And grief is something I am all too familiar with. 

In just three weeks, our home went from being full of paws and wagging tails to a heartbreaking stillness. We said goodbye to not one, but two of our beloved dogs—and even now, it doesn’t feel real. I still listen for their nails clicking across the floor, still glance toward their favorite spots on the couch, still expect to hear them greet me at the door.

They were more than pets. They were family. They were the quiet comfort on hard days, the reason I laughed at unexpected moments, the warm presence beside me during long nights and early mornings. Each of them had their own quirks, their own personalities that filled this home with love and chaos in equal measure.

Losing one dog is shattering. Losing two within three weeks? There are no words strong enough.

I’ve heard people say that grief comes in waves—and it does. Sometimes it's a soft ache. Other times, it's a full-body heartbreak that knocks the wind out of me. I’ll see a photo, or an old toy, or hear a bark on TV and suddenly, I’m right back in that moment of goodbye.

But I also know this: I was lucky. So incredibly lucky to have loved them and been loved by them. To have had the privilege of their trust and loyalty. To be their person.

If you’ve ever lost a pet, you understand that it’s not "just a dog." It's a piece of your heart. And when they go, they take a part of you with them.

I don’t have a neat ending for this post. Grief doesn’t wrap itself up with a bow. But I do want to say thank you—to those who’ve checked in, who’ve shared your own stories, who’ve given us space and kindness during this time. Your words have meant more than I can express.

To my sweet pups: I know you’re together somewhere, running free and whole again. Thank you for every moment. I will carry your love with me for the rest of my life