“Never be afraid to fall apart
because it is an opportunity to rebuild yourself
the way you wish you had been all along.”
— Rae Smith
I prefer to give rather than to get. To be the helper rather than the receiver. It’s not about ego. It is just my way.
Yet, I am being humbled by my current situation. I am a mash of emotions, out of my element, and feeling very vulnerable. At the same time, my warrior, she-wolf self has been activated. I will only survive and hopefully see a good outcome to my situation if I accept every offer of assistance, act on every good idea, keep my emotions in check, find and connect with the humanity of the situation, and pray.
I haven’t written a blog in months. I have lost my voice in a world that is challenging, fractious, filled with good people, along with those who don’t want the same for others. It affects everything and everyone. Today, it has touched my household deeply.
And I am shouting from the treetops.
I have been forced out of my hibernation to share my need in the most public places. So weird to go from quiet to having a megaphone. I have always chosen not to use my personal platform for political or religious opinions, but for simple observations about my work-world and the contribution I try to make. Now? I use it everywhere to ensure the safe return of two dogs.
I step out today with a blog because two of my dogs have been taken. They are French Bulldogs and are perceived as valuable, easy to sell, and quick money. It happened on 11/6/25. Many people have theories about why. I know someone opened my gate. I know to which neighborhood they were transported. I have received calls. I know of two individuals who can describe the dogs, their names, and my phone number from their collars. I know they know where I live.
My worst fear has occurred.
I did not have a plan in my pocket for this situation.
I am taking it one step at a time.
I am asking for and accepting help. I implement every idea that is legal, ethical, safe, kind, and appropriate.
I have discovered I have a tribe of friends, dog lovers, and other helpers. I am not alone – there is a growing following of support. I feel it. I know it is what I need, and I appreciate it.
Today is day three. I have slept some, lost my voice, have a list to work today, and will be going back to the neighborhood to let them know I will return every day. I will try to make a new friend in this neighborhood who can help each day.
Today, I can see the lessons of this very challenging, heartbreaking, ongoing tragic situation. I have turned an emotional corner.
With the great help of others, I can now create a plan for when a beloved pet is lost. I know what I will do next to keep my dogs and yard safe. I know that I have friends and now new friends with common ground.
My world has fallen apart. I would observe that our nation is feeling great pain. Stealing dogs is a symptom of desperation. Yet, I will hold onto my beliefs that people are basically good, well-intentioned, able to learn, and collectively can do great things together. I am witnessing this in action. And I am street-smart enough to know that a percentage of folks don’t show up as their best selves. I will risk driving into a place where some folks are not so well-intended. I will “watch my six” and find common ground.
It was in 2013, while helping a friend recover her lost dog, that I discovered a large feral dog. I committed to him on the first night. And after three months of feeding and daily watering this feral dog Big Boy, my dog Buddha Bear, and I earned his trust and brought him into our family. I will apply the same persistence for Fatty Patty and Ellie. Every day I will return to the neighborhood and let them know how to return the dogs without penalty.
Today, I embrace the lessons that I can see. I will work a plan that includes accepting all help given. With the outpouring of concern and support also comes blame, shame, judgment, and fresh scammers. I can clearly see that goodness outweighs the goofballs.
Leslie
“Sometimes good things fall apart,
so better things could fall together.”
— Marilyn Monroe
“Never be afraid to fall apart
because it is an opportunity to rebuild yourself
the way you wish you had been all along.”
— Rae Smith
I prefer to give rather than to get. To be the helper rather than the receiver. It’s not about ego. It is just my way.
Yet, I am being humbled by my current situation. I am a mash of emotions, out of my element, and feeling very vulnerable. At the same time, my warrior, she-wolf self has been activated. I will only survive and hopefully see a good outcome to my situation if I accept every offer of assistance, act on every good idea, keep my emotions in check, find and connect with the humanity of the situation, and pray.
I haven’t written a blog in months. I have lost my voice in a world that is challenging, fractious, filled with good people, along with those who don’t want the same for others. It affects everything and everyone. Today, it has touched my household deeply.
And I am shouting from the treetops.
I have been forced out of my hibernation to share my need in the most public places. So weird to go from quiet to having a megaphone. I have always chosen not to use my personal platform for political or religious opinions, but for simple observations about my work-world and the contribution I try to make. Now? I use it everywhere to ensure the safe return of two dogs.
I step out today with a blog because two of my dogs have been taken. They are French Bulldogs and are perceived as valuable, easy to sell, and quick money. It happened on 11/6/25. Many people have theories about why. I know someone opened my gate. I know to which neighborhood they were transported. I have received calls. I know of two individuals who can describe the dogs, their names, and my phone number from their collars. I know they know where I live.
My worst fear has occurred.
I did not have a plan in my pocket for this situation.
I am taking it one step at a time.
I am asking for and accepting help. I implement every idea that is legal, ethical, safe, kind, and appropriate.
I have discovered I have a tribe of friends, dog lovers, and other helpers. I am not alone – there is a growing following of support. I feel it. I know it is what I need, and I appreciate it.
Today is day three. I have slept some, lost my voice, have a list to work today, and will be going back to the neighborhood to let them know I will return every day. I will try to make a new friend in this neighborhood who can help each day.
Today, I can see the lessons of this very challenging, heartbreaking, ongoing tragic situation. I have turned an emotional corner.
With the great help of others, I can now create a plan for when a beloved pet is lost. I know what I will do next to keep my dogs and yard safe. I know that I have friends and now new friends with common ground.
My world has fallen apart. I would observe that our nation is feeling great pain. Stealing dogs is a symptom of desperation. Yet, I will hold onto my beliefs that people are basically good, well-intentioned, able to learn, and collectively can do great things together. I am witnessing this in action. And I am street-smart enough to know that a percentage of folks don’t show up as their best selves. I will risk driving into a place where some folks are not so well-intended. I will “watch my six” and find common ground.
It was in 2013, while helping a friend recover her lost dog, that I discovered a large feral dog. I committed to him on the first night. And after three months of feeding and daily watering this feral dog Big Boy, my dog Buddha Bear, and I earned his trust and brought him into our family. I will apply the same persistence for Fatty Patty and Ellie. Every day I will return to the neighborhood and let them know how to return the dogs without penalty.
Today, I embrace the lessons that I can see. I will work a plan that includes accepting all help given. With the outpouring of concern and support also comes blame, shame, judgment, and fresh scammers. I can clearly see that goodness outweighs the goofballs.
Leslie
“Sometimes good things fall apart,
so better things could fall together.”
— Marilyn Monroe
P.S. Happy News. 24-hours later.
After persistence, volumes of assistance from friends and strangers, crazy tactics inspired by movies — because I didn’t have a plan for this event — some heroism, and smarty-pants efforts, Fatty Patty and Ellie (Eleanor Roosevelt) are home with me and their pack. I am so appreciative, grateful, and very humbled by everything that transpired over a three-day period. I am also differently informed. Changes will be made. Wisdom and awareness acquired.
And now the healing begins.
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