10/22/2026
I am so heartbroken as I know many of us in Central Oregon are right now. My heart goes out to all the families who have lost loved ones and to everyone whose lives have been forever changed by what happened. We never expect something like this to happen in our own city. No one ever does. But it did, and it’s hard to imagine that things will ever feel quite the same.
As dog groomers, we build connections not only with the pups in our care, but with the people who trust us with them, too. Sometimes it’s a quick hello and catching up on how things have been, and sometimes it’s a longer conversation about life since the last appointment. Over time, those little moments become meaningful connections that stay with us, especially with the families we get to see regularly.
Recently, I learned some heartbreaking news that I know I will be processing for a long time. My client, Megan, was the teacher who sadly lost her life in the recent events in Bend. I wasn’t sure how to process what I had just learned. My heart breaks for her family, her friends, and everyone who loved her, including the pets who will never get to see her again.
I’ve been reading so many beautiful things people have shared about Megan, and I only wish I had gotten to know her even more. Everything I’ve read feels so true to the person I knew. She was truly a wonderful person, and I don’t think I ever saw her without a smile on her face. She always took the time to have a conversation with me, and those are the kinds of little moments you don’t always realize you’ll look back on and cherish.
Her dog, Juniper, wasn’t always the easiest boy to work on, and she knew that. But every time they came in, Megan had such a positive outlook on how things were going to go. She was always patient and grateful for whatever I was able to get done. I always appreciated that about her, and it’s something I’ll always remember. Juniper was a lucky boy to have her, and I feel lucky to have had the chance to know Megan, even in the small way that I did.
As a dog groomer, I may only be a small part of the lives of the people who walk through our doors, but they become such a big part of mine.
Tiffany, Muddy Paws Bathhouse
