Gotcha Dog Services

10/13/2023

They weren't visiting the shop but I visited with them outside.

08/05/2023

05/13/2022

I can’t wait to meet you and your animals!

05/13/2022

(Cont. from previous post)

These dogs were, are, and always will be my angels.

They gave me a paw when I needed, but couldn’t ask for, a hand -

Their paw prints on my heart are forever, and live on in our logo.

They had my back, always and unconditionally.

Having the backs of dogs, all animals, and their humans alike is how I honor them, each and every day, for the gift of my passion, my strength, and my life.

I cannot wait to have the honor of bringing more dogs, animals, and people into my life and into this story. I look forward to providing you and your animal(s) with all the love and stability that I was given so unconditionally, and honoring my angel dogs in doing so!

05/13/2022

(Cont. from previous post)

“If you could bring me a dog”

I thought I was done asking this after Koda, I really did - But then came Cricket.

Cricket is my current dog partner,. She brought us bouncing, brown, forever-puppy energy and laughter - and renewed hope. She sleeps at my feet in the sun now, as I write this, and brings me a smile.

(Cont. in next post)

05/13/2022

(Cont. from previous post)

… In time, things with Koda grew more stable. I had many more treasured years with him. I can say without a doubt that he saved my life, and had a part in saving others lives too - and we all saved him, too.

When Koda finally left us, physically, I was devastated. My heart was so heavy that day, and for so long afterwards - But it was heavy because it was so full of what he had given me, and all of us. I was at peace knowing that he was chasing squirrels, off leash and unmuzzled, for the first time in so many years. He gave me the bigging to my freedom from guilt, pain, and betrayal, and I was given the honor of giving that to him again, one last time, by setting him free.

(Cont. In next post)

05/13/2022

(Cont. from previous post)

… eventually I got an answer. Chance was our family’s first dog. We named him for the second chance we got at being a family. Chance taught me stability, trust, and responsibility - But my first dog - My own dog to call my own - Came a few years later.

His name is Koda. Koda is no longer with us but his presence is so felt in and around me that I refuse to say was. Koda came into my life during the first of many difficult and transformative years. I took care of him myself, and participated in 4H dog agility and dog training classes as often as I could earn enough money to do so. I picked up photography and began taking photos of him and Chance. Koda brought me a piece of myself that I hadn’t realized I had lost back to me.

Koda proved to be a challenge - he was anxious boy. I still believe firmly that he wanted so badly to hold me and our broken family together, and keep me safe - that he sometimes lost himself. I understood this on a deeper level than I realized at the time. I too often lost myself to feeling torn by my loyalty and compassion during the troubling times. But how could I let the dog who anchored me with his unconditional love lose himself? How could I ignore that losing him would be losing so much of myself too?

I didn’t give up. Endless hours of training, apprenticeships with professionals in New England, endless research - and admittedly, my stubbornness. I own and am grateful for my stubbornness, which Koda shared - without him, and my stubbornness, I would not be who I am today, or maybe not here at all.

(Cont. In next post)