"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole"
- Roger Caras
I speak fluent Dog—body wiggles, head tilts, full-speed zoomies and all. My love for dogs runs deep. They’ve always been my greatest source of joy, grounding, and companionship. Whether it was my loyal best friend Murph, whose soul seemed stitched right to mine, or the endlessly curious and cuddly Frida, who’s brought so much brightness into my life (alongside my amazing girlfriend Ali)—dogs have shaped my days in the best possible ways. They’ve taught me patience, presence, and how to celebrate the little things with reckless enthusiasm.
MURPHY
Murph came barreling into my life on Memorial Day 2016, named after the infamous CrossFit workout—but with way more personality and far less cardio. For nearly eight years, he was my shadow, my sidekick, and without a doubt, the best part of my life. He wasn’t much for cuddles (strictly a “no thank you” on that front), but he lived for sticks, fuzzies, and cheese—especially the cheese. Losing him was the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through, but even in the grief, there was so much beauty. His pitter-patter may be gone from the house, but he’s still everywhere—especially in my heart… and in the stubborn little bits of fur that still show up on my clothes.
FRIDA
While Frida may not technically be my dog… let’s just say she didn’t get that memo. Finding Ali—smart, beautiful, hilarious, and endlessly kind—was nothing short of a miracle. The fact that she came with a built-in four-legged sidekick was just the cherry on top. (Though Ali still suspects I might’ve been more excited about the dog… which I swear isn’t true. Probably.) Frida has become my resident snuggle buddy, sneaky sock thief, and occasional life coach—with a cold nose and a huge heart. Ali fills my life with love and light every single day, and Frida’s just the bonus fuzzball who makes our little world even better. Yes, I’ll probably get elbowed for posting a photo of Frida and not one of Ali—but it’s only because Frida is slightly easier to catch sitting still.
