A heartwarming story of grief, healing, and the incredible power of a new puppy to mend a broken heart and inspire new adventures.
A Devastating Loss
Losing a beloved pet is never easy, but losing a heart dog in Colorado can change your entire world.
For one woman in Colorado, her dog Sterling was more than just a pet. He was her anchor during a very difficult time in her life.
When Sterling was gone, the light in her life seemed to go out with him.
She found herself slipping back into a very dark place, unable to find the joy she once knew.
The Courage To Explore
Sterling had always been the reason she found the courage to embrace her wanderlust.
Before his passing, it was just the two of them taking off on countless adventures together.
He gave her the confidence to step out of her comfort zone and see the world.
But without him by her side, the desire to travel completely vanished.
Saying Goodbye
Sitting by the river with Sterling had always been a deeply important part of their relationship.
It was a place of peace, reflection, and quiet bonding.
When it came time to finally say goodbye, she knew exactly where he belonged.
She lovingly spread his ashes into a river, honoring the beautiful life they shared.
A Difficult Choice
Time passed, but the void left by Sterling remained heavy.
Deciding whether to open her heart to another dog was not an easy decision to make.
She wondered if she could ever love another dog the way she loved him.
Eventually, she decided it was time to try.
The Face Lick That Changed Everything
The moment she met a tiny puppy named Stevie, her doubts began to melt away.
Stevie looked up at her, leaned in, and gently licked her face.
“I just immediately felt my heart open up to her, and it was so powerful,” she recalled.
In that instant, she knew she had made the right decision.
A Full-Circle Moment
From the day she brought Stevie home, the two became incredibly bonded.
They spend all day, every day together, quickly becoming the best of friends.
Eventually, she decided to bring Stevie to the same river where she had said goodbye to Sterling.
It was a beautiful, full-circle moment where she could reflect on how much she loved them both in different, yet equal, ways.
Finding The Spark Again
With Stevie by her side, something incredible began to happen.
The heavy darkness began to lift, and the spark of life returned.
For the first time since Sterling’s passing, she felt the urge to travel again.
She packed up her truck with Stevie and her other companion, Inara, and hit the road.
The Little Medicine Dog
Their new adventures took them hiking through the mountains of Colorado.
Because Stevie was only four months old at the time, there was plenty of carrying involved along the trails.
They lived in a camper, traveling through Arizona, Utah, California, and Nevada, embracing their love for life once more.
Stevie didn’t just fill an empty space; she became their “little medicine dog” who healed their hearts and brought them back to life.