Healing Through Heartache: How Our Dog Taught Us To Be Better Humans🐾♥️

Stella, June 2024

🐶For the past two and a half months, my family has been walking a tender road with our beloved 11-year-old fur-baby, Stella. What began, as what we hoped would be a manageable health issue, turned into a long, emotional journey filled with on-going vet visits, daily medications, special meals, infusions, and a painful sense of helplessness.

🐾 Despite it all, the nausea, weight loss, and exhaustion, Stella never stopped giving love. (To clarify, she wasn’t in pain). She slept with us, had the wiggles, wagged her tail, jumped at the chance for a car ride, gave kisses and snuggles like nothing else mattered, and greeted us at the front door like we’d been gone forever.

Caring for her was an all-hands-on-deck labor of love. We became creative at what would entice her to eat and coordinated our days around making her as comfortable as possible. Even though it was hard, it was also sacred. We'd do it all over again, without question.  

♥️Stella was pure presence — and her love, even in sickness, made us better humans.

💔When we said good-bye the grief came like a tidal wave. The actual amount of grief surprised me, not just because of how much we loved her, because of how deeply our lives were changed by her being such an integral part of our family. 🥹The house is a lot quieter now. Yet still, our Stella memory box overflows. Amidst the sadness, she’s shown us the importance of unconditional love.

Unexpected Teachings of Grief & Love.

Grief doesn’t operate on a timeline, and it certainly doesn’t ask for permission. It just arrives. In the space of mourning Stella, I’ve been reminded of some powerful truths that echo in both life and leadership:

• Psychological safety begins with vulnerability. As a mom, partner, and leader, showing up emotionally cracked open isn't always easy — however, it's essential. This experience reminded us that it's okay to fall apart. And it's even more okay, to let others see it.

• Focus on what makes you better, not just busier. Our days got quieter, and the walks were slower and shorter. But the meaning was deeper. Stella taught us to cherish the moment — not the agenda.

• The simple things matter most. A tail wag. A car ride. A familiar voice. Small joys make life rich. In both work and life, we often rush past these things. But these moments are what psychological safety is built on — presence, joy, and shared experience.

• Grief can be a connector. Our family didn’t expect this to bring us closer — but it did. Likewise, in a work environment, shared vulnerability and honest emotions can also be the catalyst for deeper connection and culture.

• Being present is the leadership. When someone is struggling — be it a teammate, family member, or beloved pet — the most powerful thing you can offer is your presence. Not always a fix, not a five-step plan, just your time, attention, and compassion.

• You have permission to do what makes you happy💕. We often delay joy. But Stella reminded us — joy is a tail wag away. Don’t wait. Do the thing that brings light to your life. Say yes to what fuels your soul.

♥️ Lessons from Stella, the tail-end of grace.

Stella’s life was a gift. Her final months were a masterclass in resilience, love, and grace. It's the same values I try to help leaders build in their teams, organizations, and own lives. Sometimes our greatest teachers don’t say a word — they simply leave paw prints on our hearts, that shape how we show up, lead, and love.🐾

Stay tuned for my next update out in two weeks.

♥️Today I will be fearless. Today I am grateful.

P.S. Are you trying to better understand and improve the female dynamics on your team, follow me on LinkedIn to learn more!

#PsychologicalSafety, #changethebehavior, #empoweringwomen, #connection, #vulnerability, #lifelessons, #grief, #lovelessons

💭  Reflection Questions:

1. When was the last time you let yourself be truly vulnerable — with your team, family, or yourself?

2. Are you building a life filled with meaning, or just momentum?

3. What “simple joys” have you rushed past lately?

4. In what ways can grief (or any emotion you're avoiding) be a tool for connection?

5. What’s one small thing today that would bring you happiness — and will you give yourself permission to do it?