Greetings, friends.
A while back, I shared that I was going to get better at writing and posting regularly — and then, as life often does, it had other plans for me.
At first, it felt like God heard me say “I’m back” and responded with “Challenge accepted.” But the truth is, He’s been with me every step of the way. These past few weeks have tested me in more ways than I expected, and I want to share why I’ve been quiet, what’s been going on behind the scenes, and the unexpected journey I’ve found myself on with someone very dear to me: my German Shepherd, Shadow.
My Shadow, My World
If you know me, you know my German Shepherd isn’t just a pet — he’s family. He’s intelligent, sensitive, and the connection we share is deep. He’s like a four-year-old in a fur coat, and our bond is something I can’t fully describe.
A couple of months ago, he tore off one of his nails. We weren’t sure how it happened, but I immediately went into full “mom mode” trying to help him heal. Over the following weeks, we made three vet appointments and an urgent care visit. Despite all our efforts, the toe wasn’t healing.
Eventually, we discovered the unthinkable: the bone in his toe — the one that supports the nail — was degenerating. It had basically turned to powder. That led us down a path of terrifying possibilities: a deep-seated fungal infection or, worst-case scenario, cancer.
The Hardest Decision
After realizing the damage wasn’t healing and might never heal, we made the heartbreaking decision to amputate the toe. It was the only option to prevent something worse from taking hold. There was also a looming fear: had the possible cancer metastasized? Had it already spread to his chest?
We waited, breath held and hearts heavy.
Post-amputation, we got a wave of relief — the cancer hadn’t spread. If the toe turns out to be malignant, we caught it early. And if not? Then we’re past the worst of it.
Turning the Corner
This past weekend felt like the first ray of light in a long tunnel. He’s healing. The amputation site is improving. His paw — even missing a toe — is adjusting beautifully, and once the fur grows back, you’ll barely be able to tell anything ever happened. It’s as if God is gently reshaping what was broken, and I can’t describe the peace that brings.
Emotionally, though, this has been a mountain to climb. We just lost our 3-year-old cat, Grayson, back in May — yes, three. Losing him shattered me. So facing another possible loss? I honestly didn’t know if I could handle it.
Why I’ve Been Absent
I know I promised I’d be more present here, writing, sharing, encouraging. But these past few weeks, my mind and heart have been completely focused on one thing: saving my Shadow’s life and holding myself together in the process.
Now that we’re on the other side of the worst (I pray), I’m ready to try again — slowly. I hope to start posting a couple of times a week, and I’m excited to share not only encouragement and inspiration, but also practical insights from this experience that might help other pet parents.
What I’ve Learned (and Will Be Sharing Soon)
This journey taught me a lot — of things no vet told me, things I learned the hard way. From how to safely cover a healing paw, to using toddler socks and proper grippy footwear (yes, grippies are a must!), to tips for managing emotional overwhelm while caring for an injured pet. I’ll be sharing these lessons soon in case anyone else ever finds themselves in a similar, scary situation.
For Now…
This post doesn’t end with a tidy quote or a cheerful wrap-up. This is one of those raw, in-between moments where the light is just starting to come through the clouds. But I wanted you to know why I’ve been gone — and what’s been happening in the background.
Thank you for being patient with me. Thank you for reading my story. I’ll be back soon with encouragement, life hacks, and hopefully a little hope for anyone walking through a storm.
Until then — take care of your hearts. And hug your pets a little tighter tonight. 🐾
With love,
Heidi 🩷🐾💙
Home Life & Encouragement 