‘Doesn’t replace what you lost, but honors it’ August 3, 2025

“I met a man at the grocery store today who saw my cart full of clearance bananas and asked if I was making banana bread. I told him they were for the dogs at the humane society. He smiled and said he and his wife had two dogs for 15 years. But after losing both, his wife didn’t think she could do it again. I told him I understood. I’d felt that way too.

I lost my heart dog, Jeri, six years ago. I met her at NHS when she was just a pup and I was 19. She was everything—my constant, my best friend. When she got sick with heart failure, I held on too long. I wasn’t ready. I couldn’t picture life without her. We had 14 years, and it still didn’t feel like enough. I have regrets—things I wish I’d done differently, especially near the end—but you don’t get a do-over. You just carry it.

A few months after she was gone, I started volunteering at the shelter. First laundry. Then walking dogs and fostering (I kept the boy). Now I make enrichment. All of it started because of her. My heart didn’t heal all at once—it healed by showing up for animals who needed someone to care.

I know it probably seems like the shelter is always asking—adopt more, donate more, help more. The truth is, everyone is drowning. There are too many animals and not enough space, time, or people. I don’t have some big solution. But I do know this: if you’ve lost a pet and you’re scared to open your heart again, maybe think about it anyway. Not because it’ll be the same (it won’t)—but because there might be a new kind of love waiting for you. One that doesn’t replace what you lost, but honors it.

I still miss Jeri. Constantly. But I love my next dog, Conner, with my whole being, too. My heart has just expanded to hold the loss with the love. Giving him a good life feels like the best way to say thank you to her. And I think she’d be really proud of me.”

-Michaela

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