42,038 Memories of Beau

42,038 Memories of Beau

  It would only be fitting to share our 42,038 memories of Beau. Beau was a full-blooded Boxer however, we never had him registered.  We didn’t care about paperwork or someone telling us he was special.  Beau was the king in our castle and in our hearts.  My son (10 years old at the time) dubbed him his full-unregistered name Beauregard Stormy Doughnut Schnautz. Beau lived approximately 12.5 years, which equates to almost 91 in human years so he had an exceptionally long and quality life for a boxer. Working through the tears and collecting all the things that were a part of his life invoked hundreds of…

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All Dogs Go to Heaven

All Dogs Go to Heaven
Beau and Alvin

Do you ever ask or wonder if all dogs go to heaven? I asked God to give me a sign that I would know without a doubt that it was time. The element of time means that it was time for Beau to go to heaven. Part of me prayed that he would pass on his own so that no one had to make the decision.  But as we know, life doesn't happen the easy way or the way we want it. After the second day of Beau refusing to eat his favorite foods like sardines or Hormel (hormone, antibiotic and nitrate-free) meat, I sensed it was close.…

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How to Keep Your Dog Healthy

How to Keep Your Dog Healthy
Beau loved the Aflac duck or any toy that made noise.

I wish someone would have shared how to keep your dog healthy long before he was diagnosed with cancer. Along with the information on which dog breeds are genetically more susceptible to disease and cancer. Providing your pets the safest and cleanest products and environment available is an absolute must, especially if they are more susceptible to disease or cancer.  Most products we use for our baby (an 80-pound Boxer) are human grade as the standards are much higher. You can read more about Beau's story here if you haven't been following it. Beau, our 13 year old Boxer, was first diagnosed with a mast cell tumor when he was around 5…

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Plan Your Meals

Plan Your Meals

Do you plan your meals? How much time, effort, and planning do you put into your family's food options?  Many women walk in the door from their job and start the planning, prepping, AND cooking then. When you're exhausted is not the best time. I pick one weekend day and plan, prep, and prepare meals and snacks. Planning is the secret to wellness! When you have clean, whole food available during your busy week, you won't need to succumb to processed, lifeless “food”.  If 80% of all disease is preventable, planning your family’s meals is no longer an option, it’s a requirement. Hate being in the kitchen?  Ask…

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Finding Peace Beyond the Digital Tether

Do you feel it's still possible finding peace beyond the digital tether in our lives? Returning home to Michigan brings forth a cascade of emotions for me. While the joy of reuniting with family and reliving the memories of my upbringing fills me with happiness, a hint of anxiety creeps in. It's not due to seeing my loved ones but the prospect of being entirely "unplugged" upon arrival. In my mother's home, there are no signals—no Wi-Fi, no cell reception—effectively disconnecting me from the digital world. Initially, the separation triggers unease and withdrawal symptoms for a few days. Questions loom large: What if I miss important emails or…

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Countdown to Christmas and Traditions

Well, we are officially 7 days away and the countdown begins. For those traveling, this typically means WE have far less time to complete our holiday shopping so the pressure is on! I’ll be traveling to Michigan which is part of my tradition of going home. It’s a bittersweet trip as I’m excited to see my family but sad that my husband stays here as his daughters arrive from out of state. It was understood at the beginning of our relationship that this was the way it would be as there would be a time that our children would not be coming home. My son, a chef, and…

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