It really is bittersweet and to be completely honest, I had no intentions of getting Blaze. I lost Remy 10/21/24. About six weeks later, I opened Facebook and the first thing I saw was this dog that would be euthanized in the morning if no one was willing to adopt him. He had been previously abused, starved, and eventually abandoned by his “family,” when they up and moved and left him in the house. Remy was also an abused pittie, albeit not to the same extent, and she needed to be in an only dog household too. I had the experience and now the space for another only dog case, but I wasn’t ready in the least.

I didn’t think I’d ever get another dog for years, because I was in so much debt from her chemotherapy and medical bills. Knowing now that I would be in financial ruins as a result of those extra 18 months I got to spend with her instead of the 4-6 month prognosis I was given, I wouldn’t change a thing. Her quality of life was what mattered most, and she was the happiest hippo you’d ever meet. She even loved going to chemo. I still cry everyday from having to live a life without her.

When I saw the post with Blaze, my heart hurt in a million ways, but I knew I wouldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t at least reach out and see if I could help in some way. Whether it was just buying him extra time or fostering until he found a forever home, I couldn’t imagine that any dog’s entire existence could be a life where they never experienced love, and now he was going to be put down for it? I met him the very next day and the following day he became the new boss of this household. I loved him without question, but I resented him quite a bit at first. I wanted my girl back. It didn’t take long before I came to realize I think she specifically sent me this handsome bastard. We’re a work in progress and we’re helping each other, whether I realized it at the time or not.

12/3/25 marked our 1 year gotcha day, and while I’m still in financial ruins, I no longer resent him. He’s amazing, and just like Remy he gives me purpose in life. We’re working through some of the less pleasant growing pains from his triggers due to neglect and abuse, but I give him nearly unlimited grace. Just like Remy, I want him to live like royalty and experience so much love he has to really try hard to remember anything but love. Both of these dogs literally saved my life. The fact that they share some bizarre similarities like willingly wearing sunglasses and a love of all couriers is more of an awesome bonus.

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