Josie
Date of Passing: 06/16/2026
Message to Josie: Josie, you were my once-in-a-lifetime dog. For 13.5 years we took care of each other, and I never doubted your love for a single day. Thank you for every cuddle, every laugh, every adventure, and every quiet moment. A piece of my heart left with you, but your paw prints will remain there forever. 絆
Tell us about Josie: Josie came into my life in January 2013 when I adopted her from Orphans of the Storm. She was sitting in the back of her kennel, staring at the wall, and it was one of the saddest things I had ever seen. My heart broke for her. I sat on the floor in front of her kennel and spoke to her softly. Over the next thirty minutes, she slowly inched her way toward me. She never looked at me that first day, but she let me reach through the chain link and pet her. In that moment, I knew there was something special about her and she had decided I was her person. I named her Josie because I wanted a name with a little moxie. At the time, she didn't seem to have much of her own, and I hoped she would grow into it. She did - and then some. Over the next 13½ years, she became far more than a pet. She was my constant companion, my shadow, my shotgun rider, and my best friend. No matter what was happening in life, Josie was always there. Some of her favorite things included plain chicken breast, chewing the squeakers out of her toys, watching birds from the window, watching television, going to the dog park with her pack, feeling a cool breeze while resting in the shade, and, most of all, snuggling with the people she loved. Josie had a personality that was impossible to forget. One minute she was a clown, making me laugh with her antics, and the next she carried herself with a quiet wisdom that seemed far beyond that of any dog. Everyone who met her understood she was one of those rare souls who felt more like a person than a pet. As she grew older, she continued to teach me about loyalty, resilience, and unconditional love. Through every season of life, she remained my faithful companion and a source of comfort, joy, and laughter. Saying goodbye to her was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but loving her was one of the greatest privileges of my life. I will miss her every day, and I will carry her in my heart for the rest of mine.