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A tiny Yorkie named Jazzy was so small she could “fit in a teacup,” and the people who handed her over warned she might not make it past a year. She made it to nine, and she did it with the kind of energy that makes you rethink what “a full life” really means. Terry joins me to tell Jazzy’s story, from the everyday sweetness of walks, treats, and sleeping curled under an arm to the sudden night everything changed and an emergency vet visit revealed there was no easy fix.

We talk honestly about pet loss, euthanasia, and the messy reality of pet grief: the shock, the waiting, and the quiet moments when a photo pops up and you’re right back there. Terry shares why their family waited about a year before bringing home another dog, and how pictures, costumes, and simple rituals became a form of dog memorial that kept Jazzy present without pretending it didn’t hurt. If you’re searching for coping with pet loss tools that feel real, this one is grounded in lived experience.

The story expands to the dogs who are still here today: a 19-year-old rescue with “walkabouts,” a Cavalier King Charles with major health expenses and a surprising obsession with America’s Funniest Home Videos, and a younger pup who brings new life into the pack. We also explore something many listeners wonder about but don’t always say out loud: dogs grieve too, and sometimes they search for a missing friend as if they’re still out there somewhere.

If this conversation helps you feel seen, subscribe, share it with someone who’s missing a pet, and leave a review so more grieving pet parents can find the show. What’s one small memory of your pet that still makes you smile?

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