Nala's World

Nala's World Hi I'm Nala! My foster mom and dad tell me I'm their little baby girl.

While I cannot talk for myself (yet), I was graciously found by an amazing samaritan when I was at the end of my rope, and this is my story of recovery and triumph.

🌈🐾 The Big News We Haven’t Quite Been Ready to Share… Meet Mira. 🐾❤️For the past couple of weeks, we’ve hinted that we h...
08/31/2026

🌈🐾 The Big News We Haven’t Quite Been Ready to Share… Meet Mira. 🐾❤️

For the past couple of weeks, we’ve hinted that we had some big news coming.

The truth is, the news wasn’t difficult to share because we weren’t excited.

My heart just wasn’t ready.

Losing Nala changed something in us. She wasn't simply our dog. She was family, a piece of our hearts, and somehow this beautiful, stubborn, goofy Boerboel helped lead us into a purpose much bigger than we ever expected.

She led us to Search and Rescue.

And losing her didn't change how much we love her. It didn't suddenly make the house feel normal without her. It didn't make seeing her empty spaces easier.

And it certainly didn't make us ready to "replace" her.

Because Nala is irreplaceable.But somewhere in the grief, we also knew something else:

Nala wouldn't have wanted the story she started to end with her.

She would have wanted us to keep training. Keep serving. Keep searching. Keep helping bring people home.

And somehow, while our hearts were still trying to figure all of that out, another dog found herself needing a family.

Meet Mira. ❤️

Mira came to us after a tragic accident involving her previous owner left her needing a new home and a new beginning.

Her story isn't perfect either.

Mira underwent abdominal surgery about a year ago, which understandably scared us after everything we experienced with Nala. Thankfully, Mira's circumstances and prognosis are very different. She has had no lingering abdominal issues, her overall prognosis is much better, and she has been thriving.

And somewhere along the way, we started wondering if perhaps Nala had a paw in this.

Not because Mira is anything like a replacement for her.

But because sometimes Mira does something that makes us stop, look at each other and laugh…

…and for just a second, it feels like our girl is still making sure we're okay.

We like to think Nala has taken on a new job now: Mira's guardian angel. 🌈❤️

And apparently, she's already giving Mira some questionable advice.

Because Mira has learned how to open the back patio slider.

Just. Like. Nala. 🤦‍♀️😂

I swear sometimes Nala is sitting somewhere over that Rainbow Bridge whispering:

"Okay kid… antagonize the Great Dane brother. Frequently.

Do lots of zoomies.

Figure out that back slider. They'll never catch you until it's too late.

And when Mom and Dad are missing me a little extra… give them lots of hugs. Their hearts need those." ❤️

And Mira seems to be following those instructions remarkably well.

She has also brought something back into our home that we didn't realize how much we needed.

Purpose.

Mira is already well into her Search and Rescue training and working toward becoming a certified SAR K9.

She is smart.

Actually, according to Mira, she is the most intelligent individual in every room she enters. 😂

She loves learning. She loves figuring things out. She loves working. And watching that little light come on when she realizes what we're asking of her has given us something to look forward to again.

We don't know exactly where this journey will take us.

We do know Mira has some very big pawprints ahead of her.

But she isn't being asked to fill them.

She's being given the opportunity to make her own beside them.

Nala will always be part of our family.

She will always be part of our Search and Rescue story.

She will always be the dog who started something in us that we didn't even know was there.

And now, we get to love Mira while still loving and missing Nala.

Those things can exist together.

So after sitting on our "big news" for a couple of weeks because my heart simply wasn't ready to make this introduction…

Welcome to Nala's World, Mira. ❤️🐾

And I think we'll let our newest girl take it from here…

🐾 Hi guys. Mira here.

Apparently I have been hired for a very important position.

I have a pretty incredible guardian angel named Nala, and from what I understand, she set the bar ridiculously high around here.

That's okay.

I like a challenge.

Mom and Dad keep telling me about this amazing girl who came before me. How brave she was. How much she loved them. How she made them laugh. How hard she worked. And how she helped lead them into Search and Rescue.

I don't think I'm supposed to be Nala.

I think I'm supposed to pick up where she left off.

So I'm learning.

I'm training.

I'm using this ridiculously smart brain of mine.

I'm doing zoomies.

I'm keeping my Great Dane brother on his toes.

I've already mastered opening the back slider—which I personally believe proves that Nala and I have established direct communication. 😏🌈

And I'm giving Mom and Dad lots of hugs.

Especially that last one.

Because my guardian angel made sure I understood that assignment.

Someday, I hope I'll wear my certified SAR K9 vest and help find someone who needs me.

Until then, I'll keep training, keep learning and keep making my own pawprints next to the ones Nala left behind.

Don't worry, Nala.

I'll take it from here. 🐾❤️

You watch over us…

and I'll keep them moving forward down here. 🌈🐾

Love,

Mira ❤️

My husband shared a dream with me this morning, onehe had where he saw her and was loving on her as we always did and he...
08/19/2026

My husband shared a dream with me this morning, onehe had where he saw her and was loving on her as we always did and he was able to tell her how much he loved and missed her and she understood. But she left us a gift too....

There’s something we’ve been quietly holding close to our hearts… and soon, we’ll be ready to share it with all of you. ❤️🐾

Losing Nala left a space in our lives that will never be filled. Our hearts are still mending, still broken in places, and we miss that beautiful girl more than words could ever explain.

But Nala also left us something incredibly important: a purpose.

She showed us what these amazing dogs are capable of. She sparked a passion for Search & Rescue that became bigger than we ever expected, and she put us on a path of training, serving, searching, and someday helping bring someone home to the people who love them.

And we truly believe Nala wouldn't want that journey to end because hers did.

Sometimes honoring the ones we lose isn't only about looking backward at the beautiful memories they gave us. Sometimes it's about carrying forward what they started.

Our hearts may still be healing, but there is work to do, people to help, and a purpose to serve.

And let's just say… Nala's story isn't finished yet. 🐾🌈

We have a SURPRISE coming to Nala's World very soon. ❤️

Stay tuned… this next chapter is for you, sweet girl. 🐾



Ohio Special Response Team - OSRT - Search and Rescue

08/12/2026

Monday was a month our sweet girl passed over the rainbow bridge. This weekend I felt the tears coming again.

They haven't really stopped I just stopped feeling and thinking, diving into other things to keep my mind busy so my heart won't notice the hole in it.

The problem is I can't stay busy forever, when I'm laying awake or not thoroughly mentally and physically exhausted I can feel her absence, I can feel the silence and then I feel my heart breaking again.... 😢

Missing you my sweet little girl....

It took me a few days to post this as each time brought us to tears.....We brought our sweet girl home.Picking up Nala's...
07/25/2026

It took me a few days to post this as each time brought us to tears.....We brought our sweet girl home.

Picking up Nala's ashes was one of the hardest things we've ever had to do, but she's finally back where she belongs—with her family. 🐾❤️

The house still feels quieter than it should. I still catch myself looking for her in her favorite spots or expecting to hear those big paws coming around the corner or feel her huge weight laying down on our chest. My heart aches for her presence in ways I can't quite put into words.

But every time the sadness creeps in, I try to gently replace it with a memory... her goofy smile, her excitement over the simplest adventures, the way she'd lean into us for love, her stubbornness, her loyalty, and the joy she brought to everyone she met.

Grief is such a strange thing. It reminds us just how deeply we were blessed to love.

Welcome home, beautiful girl. You'll always have a place here, and an even bigger place in our hearts.

We love you forever, Nala bear. 🌈🐾❤️

I hope that wherever these memories find you today, they bring a smile as big as the one she gave so freely. Hug your dogs a little tighter for us tonight. ❤️

Can we all just take a minute to appreciate **THAT smile?** ❤️I don't think I've ever met another dog who smiled the way...
07/18/2026

Can we all just take a minute to appreciate **THAT smile?** ❤️

I don't think I've ever met another dog who smiled the way Nala did.

It didn't matter if we were hiking through the woods, visiting the vets, walking the aisles at Home Depot or Tractor Supply, at Search & Rescue training, or simply relaxing at home... that goofy smile was always there.

People would stop us everywhere we went just to comment on her. They'd laugh, smile back, ask to pet her, or tell us they'd never seen a dog look so genuinely happy.

That was Nala.

She had this incredible gift of making complete strangers smile without saying a word. Her joy was contagious, and somehow she made every place we visited just a little brighter.

Looking through these pictures still brings tears to my eyes, but they also remind me of just how much happiness she brought into this world.

I hope this picture makes you smile today the way she made so many others smile every single day.

We miss that beautiful face more than words can ever express. ❤️🐾

It's been a few days...People always tell you that time helps. Maybe someday it will.Right now, the house is just... qui...
07/16/2026

It's been a few days...

People always tell you that time helps. Maybe someday it will.

Right now, the house is just... quiet.

There's no giant head nudging our arms while we're working or waiting for snacks to drop while we're cooking, gahhh she loved when people walked in the kitchen.
No happy galloping feet running to greet us.
No goofy grin and barks of joy waiting at the window.
No giant Boerboel snoring loud enough to shake the walls and lay her huge 60 lb head on your chest.

It's amazing how one soul can fill every corner of your home... and leave such an incredible emptiness behind.

I miss you every single day, sweet girl.

Thank you all for loving Nala as much as you did. Reading your comments and messages has helped carry us through some incredibly difficult moments. ❤️🐾

07/14/2026

Enjoying her best life...

While we are still very much grieving the loss of our fur baby I thought I'd share some memories my kiddo sent me yester...
07/14/2026

While we are still very much grieving the loss of our fur baby I thought I'd share some memories my kiddo sent me yesterday. Apparently he was taking pictures of her all the time.

07/10/2026

It is with a sad heart and heavy head that Nicole and I inform everyone that our sweet Nala passed unexpectedly about an hour ago. She had been fighting gastrointestinal issues her entire life and finally succumbed tonight. She was fine when I got home and by the time Nicole got home she was doing her normal upset belly licking that quickly progressed to a belly full of air that wouldn't allow blood to return to her huge, loving heart. We rushed her to emergency where they performed CPR but weren't able to save her life. Please keep her in your prayers tonight as she passes along the rainbow bridge to be with all the other pups that were loved and loved their owners.
John and Nicole

🐾 Nala’s Spring Update 🐾Hi friends… it’s me, Nala 🐶 I know I know its been a bit since of posted...And guess what… I fin...
04/22/2026

🐾 Nala’s Spring Update 🐾

Hi friends… it’s me, Nala 🐶

I know I know its been a bit since of posted...

And guess what… I finally feel like me again.

Last summer and fall, I was a healing girl. Lots of rest, careful steps, and snuggles while my tummy got better after those big surgeries. Then winter came, and just when I thought I was ready… my paw needed fixing too. More healing. More patience. (I wasn’t always the best at that part 😅)

But NOW…

The sun is warm.
The grass feels amazing under my paws.
And I am FREE to run, explore, and LIVE.

I’ve been going on more walks… longer ones too! And hikes?! Ohhhh I LOVE hikes. So many smells. So many sticks. So many adventures waiting around every corner.

And water?!
Let’s talk about WATER.

I saw a waterfall on my last walk and decided it was clearly meant for drinking… all of it. Immediately. 💦😂 mom said no "eating" the waterfall...
Still working on my “don’t try to consume entire nature features” command… but I’m learning!

My training is in full swing, and I’m doing SO good (if I do say so myself). I’m listening better, focusing more, and really stepping into my “good girl era.” My humans say I might even try for my AKC Canine Good Citizen this summer… which sounds important and exciting!

And then… maybe… just maybe…

I heard whispers about maybe studying for my first Search and Rescue certification for HRD 👀
That sounds like BIG DOG WORK. I don’t totally know what it means yet… but I know it involves purpose, adventure, and helping people. And that makes my tail wag extra fast.

For now, I’m just soaking it all in—every step, every breeze, every splash, every moment I didn’t get to have before.

I’m not just healed…
I’m thriving.

Love,
Nala 🐾💛

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Mentor, OH
44060

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