So Much Has Changed—And So Has My Heart

It’s been a while since I last posted here, and so much has happened since then.

Let me begin with what hurts the most.

On July 8th, 2025, I said goodbye to my best friend—Cato, my wolf hybrid, my protector, my soul dog. I’ve had him since I was 16 years old. He was 13 and a half when he passed, and I still can’t believe he’s really gone. I would do anything to have him back, but letting him go was the most loving thing I could do.

We found out he had spleen cancer that led to internal bleeding. When the time came, I held him close—kissed him, whispered to him, stayed with him as he crossed over. I made sure he wasn’t alone. I miss him more than I have words for.

Please don’t expect me to be “myself” for a while. I’m going to be quieter than usual. I need to take time to be still, to heal, to grieve.

To everyone who has reached out—thank you. Your thoughts, prayers, and kind words have meant the world to me. And a special thank you to Treehouse Animal Hospital for everything you did to help. You made Cato comfortable in his final moments, and for that, I am forever grateful.
I’m sorry for sobbing so loudly that day—for being unable to hold it in. I know it affected your other clients, and I felt the weight of their sympathy. But the truth is…I just wasn’t ready.

I haven’t felt this kind of heartbreak in a long, long time. Not since I lost my soul horse, Ranger, when I was 15. It’s been 15 years, and this pain feels like it cracked something deep inside me. I can handle breakups. I can handle conflict. But when it comes to losing an animal I’ve bonded with, it’s always the most unbearable pain. They are pieces of my heart walking around in fur, and when they’re gone—it feels like I lose a part of myself.

Before I could even process this grief, I learned something else that shattered me. Mikayla Raines—founder of Save A Fox—took her own life on June 20th, 2025. She was only 30 years old.
Mikayla was a bright, beautiful, complicated soul. She battled autism, dissociative identity disorder, and depression. But the cruelty of people—especially the betrayal from fellow rescuers and so-called friends—drove her to the edge.

She leaves behind a daughter, Freya, and her husband, Ethan. And she leaves behind a legacy—thousands of animals saved, especially foxes who wouldn’t be alive today without her.

Rest in peace, Mikayla Raines
March 5, 1995 – June 20, 2025
You mattered. You always will.

And then, as if the universe wasn’t done with its waves of sorrow, I found out that one of my former neighbors passed away unexpectedly. My heart aches for his family. So much loss in such a short time.

But I promised myself I would hold onto the glimmers of light—no matter how small they are.

I recently booked another wedding as a day-of coordinator thanks to a glowing referral and five-star Yelp review from the bride I worked with in April. It reminded me that I am doing something meaningful, something good. Thank you for the kind words and the trust—it means everything right now.

In an unexpected twist of fate, I also made a new friend who rides horses. We met through Facebook when she needed someone to board her dogs—and of course, I said yes. Her dogs had the best time and fully came out of their shells. What started as a simple favor became the beginning of a lovely friendship.

I’m trying to stay positive. But healing takes time.
In the coming weeks, I’ll be creating art and jewelry with epoxy resin using Cato’s ashes and fur—pieces of him that will stay with me forever. I’ll share those soon.

Thank you for being here. I hope the photos I’ve shared bring a little light into your day.

With love, always,
Sammy