One of life’s most painful moments comes when we must say goodbye forever to the person we love the most. For every dog, the world revolves around their special human, yet sometimes the final farewell cannot be avoided.
A gentle 9-year-old Husky named Gaia lived her happiest years alongside Sandra, her 80-year-old owner, and couldn’t picture life without her.
But everything shifted when Sandra was hospitalized with declining health, leaving Gaia behind in their longtime Dallas, Texas, home.
From that moment, nothing in her world was the same.
One Miracle Walk
During those first days without her beloved owner, Gaia’s eyes reflected only grief and loneliness.
Just when hope seemed to fade that she’d ever again feel a caring human touch, kindness appeared in the form of a neighbor.
Sandra’s next-door neighbor, Lisa Kanarek, walked past the Dallas home and noticed the sorrowful expression on Gaia’s face. That very day, she chose to take the dog out for a walk, offering comfort.
What began as a single walk quickly grew into a routine. For three weeks, the two bonded daily until Lisa received a call from Sandra’s close friend, Gilda Levy, that changed everything.
“Two weeks before Sandra [passed away], [Levy] said, ‘I don’t know if you’ve thought about this, but would you like to take her?’” Lisa told CBS News. Knowing what could soon follow, Lisa could not refuse this request.
When the inevitable day arrived, Sandra’s home fell silent. But before that emptiness settled in, Lisa had already clipped Gaia’s leash and guided her into a brand-new chapter.
Her New Life Mission
Those countless walks with Lisa soothed Gaia’s soul and helped her move beyond her darkest days. She lit up around children especially, and Lisa soon realized Gaia offered them healing comfort as well.
That insight inspired Lisa to apply for a certified therapy program with Gaia. They were accepted, and on their very first day at Children’s Medical Center Dallas, Gaia showed she was destined for the role.
Her warmth quickly captured the hearts of young patients. One 18-year-old named Brooklyn expressed his joy: “Dogs are, like, the best thing that ever happened to me, like, in this hospital.“
Yet Gaia’s journey was only beginning. While Sandra remained hospitalized, Lisa herself was completing training as an end-of-life doula. That new path inspired her to bring Gaia along to hospice visits.
Lisa already knew Gaia was remarkable with children, but she was convinced her pup could bring the same comfort to those nearing life’s end, specifically: hospice.
She was right. Within days of working with the terminally ill, Gaia’s calm energy and loving nature brought peace even to the most weary souls.
Supporting the most vulnerable has since become Gaia’s lifelong mission.
Keeping Her Memory Alive
After her most heartbreaking loss, Gaia’s life transformed completely. She found joy again and a greater purpose. Even more special, she spread that joy to countless others, including her new owner.
Lisa felt so thankful for Gaia that she wrote about their journey in an essay published by the Washington Post:
“Gaia’s life changed when she became part of our family. She interacts with the kids down the street (her fan club) during our walks, and she provides laughter and levity to sick children, all with her tail wagging. She goes with us on road trips and to outdoor festivals where she knows that people will stop to run their hands down her fluffy back or ask her for a high-five.
“My life is different too. Meeting dozens of people during our visits has brought out the extrovert tendencies I lost during the pandemic. Before I knock on each patient’s door, I breathe in, then greet families with confidence, knowing the reaction my sidekick will receive. …”
“As we pass through the halls of children’s hospital, I think of Sandra and hope she’s smiling, knowing how much joy Gaia brings to everyone she meets.”
While sharing these words in her CBS News interview, Lisa struggled to hold back tears, especially as she thought of Sandra.
“I don’t know. It’s just knowing the effect [Gaia] has on people. It makes me happy; it makes me sad, because I wish I had known Sandra better, but I think this is the way that I’m helping keep her memory alive,” she said at the end.
Don’t worry, Lisa. Gaia is the gift Sandra left behind, and her love will live on in every soul this extraordinary dog continues to heal.