It all started with

an incredibly sweet dog

Some people come into your life, and things are never the same again: they transform you. Maybe you fall head over heels in love and want to spend all of your time with them. Perhaps they become your personal cheerleader, bringing a ton of positivity and encouragement, enabling you to accomplish things of which you’ve never dreamed. Maybe they open you up to sides of yourself you never knew you had, in a surprising and wonderful way. For me, this ‘person’ was my soul dog, Willow.

Willow was the kindest and sweetest being I’ve ever met. Full of empathy, she comforted my husband, Geoff, and I when we were down. With her wet doggy nose, she nudged us towards our passions, an encouraging presence while Geoff wrote and published his first book, patient and always smiling as my ready muse while I deepened my knowledge and love of photography. My doggy therapist using exposure therapy to help me overcome my introversion as she pulled me towards friendly like-minded strangers to say hi. My exercise coach as she dragged me on our 5-mile exhilarating runs through the woods and to the dog bakery. She lit up every room, gave loads of love and attention to everyone, and was the inspiration for several friends and family to adopt dogs of their own!

Follow your dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem! Don't give up- where there's a will, there's a way (or a hooman who will help you) -Willow ♥️

Despite all of these positive qualities, the one that stands out the most was that she was determined as hell! As a major foodie and stick connoisseur, she wouldn’t give up when she wanted something badly. In the above picture, she stood there with those giant tree branches, doggedly trying to get them through the gate until I helped her. She once grabbed hold of a buoy anchored to the ocean floor and swam in circles trying desperately to bring it ashore until we went out to “rescue” her. When she got a brain tumor that seriously affected her ability to walk, she received treatment and determinedly strove towards recovery until she was literally dancing to K-pop (see her performance in the video below :-)

Above: Willow happily chilling out in her Bailey chair after her mid-day meal to help food drop down to her stomach and stay there. Her condition, Megaesophagus (Mega-E), necessitates this mode of feeding to keep her healthy and strong and avoid getting Aspiration Pneumonia (AP).

Left: After a game of “monkey-in-the-middle,” Willow successfully stole the ball and retires to her stroller for a walk around the park.

Above Left: Willow looking with awe over the sunset at our local reservoir.

Em“barking” on my journey into creativity, if there is one message I hear loud and clear through all the signs Willow sends me, it is this: don’t ever give up on yourself and always have hope. This journey is inspired by my joyful, sweet, incredibly persistent soul dog. Willow, my sweet little honey bear, this is for you!