Hopper: A Journey of Love, Loss, and Heartbreak

I’ve been sitting with my feelings for a while now, trying to find the words to express just how much Hopper meant to me—and how deeply I’ve been affected by his loss. But sometimes, words just don’t seem to do justice to the bond we shared, the love we gave him, and the hole his absence has left in my heart.

Hopper was a stray—a little soul I had seen wandering around the neighborhood for some time. He was always skittish, always keeping his distance from people, and he had this limp that told me he’d been through something rough. Thanksgiving of last year (2020), when the weather was bitterly cold, I saw him again. And this time, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to do something for him.

He was so afraid of people, of me, but I had this sense that there was a connection waiting to be made. The day after Thanksgiving, I almost had him. I got close enough that we made eye contact, and I could see this small spark of trust. He nipped at me, but I didn’t back away. Instead, I offered him some ham, and to my surprise, he let me pet him. It wasn’t much, but it was enough for me to feel that bond.

And then, as quickly as he allowed me in, he ran off.

For the next month, I tried everything to get him to come back to me. I’d see him around, but he was always so fearful. Every time I got close, he would run. As December rolled around, with the cold weather getting even more severe, I couldn’t stop worrying about him. I was desperate to help, so I reached out to an animal rescue organization, and with their help, we finally managed to catch him.

When we got him to the vet, we discovered he was microchipped, and his previous owners were located. They told us he’d been "missing" for five years. I won’t get into the details of his past, but suffice it to say, I wasn’t going to let him go back. They agreed to sign a waiver, allowing me to be his new "mom."

After this, we took him back to the vet for a full check-up. His back leg, the one with the limp, was examined, and the vet confirmed the injury was old—too old to repair. The vet said it would cause him more pain to try fixing it, so the best thing we could do was let him live out his life, comfortably and happily.

And that’s exactly what we did. We pampered him, made him feel safe, and loved him with all we had. Slowly but surely, he gained weight—30 pounds—and started looking healthy and strong. But there were times when he’d still seem a little cranky, and we assumed it was the trauma of his past life on the streets.

1 Month difference!

Poor Baby was SOOOOO Skinny…

Then came August 9th—a day I will never forget. Hopper collapsed. He began to have seizures, and I knew something was terribly wrong. We rushed him to the animal emergency center, but the news we received was heartbreaking. He had cancer. It had consumed his body, and the vet did everything possible to stabilize him, but it was too late. He went into cardiac arrest, and despite the vet's best efforts, he couldn’t be saved.

I am absolutely broken, still today… Months later.

It’s hard to put into words how much I miss him. Hopper was more than just a dog; he was a survivor, a fighter, and a reminder that love can heal the deepest wounds. I will always treasure the time we had together, and I’m so grateful that we could give him the comfort and love he deserved after years of struggle.

He came to me as a stray, broken and lost, and I was so proud to give him a home where he could feel safe. In return, he gave me love, companionship, and a sense of purpose. The short time we had together may not have been enough, but it was everything.

I’ll never forget you, Hopper. You will always have a special place in my heart. Rest in peace, my sweet boy. ❤️

That Face—- Those Ears… My HEART…

He was my mission and I am so happy we had the BEST 6 months of time together…

My Weight Loss Journey (this time)

My Weight Loss Journey: Finding Success with Weight Watchers

Like so many others, I’ve struggled with my weight for most of my life. It’s been a constant battle, and I’ve tried countless diets, plans, and quick fixes over the years—some successful for a short time, others not so much. But my recent experience with **Weight Watchers** has been a game-changer, and I’m excited to share my progress!

I joined **Weight Watchers** during the pandemic, when life was already full of uncertainty and challenges. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if it would work for me, but something about the program felt different. For the first time, I didn’t feel like I was following a “diet.” Instead, I felt like I was gaining the tools to build a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle. And the best part? It hasn’t been about deprivation—it’s been about finding balance, making smarter choices, and being kind to myself throughout the process.

The Journey So Far

As of now, I’ve lost 30 pounds—and I couldn’t be happier with my progress! While I still have more to go, I’m so proud of how far I’ve come. It feels amazing to not only see the physical changes, but to also feel the shift in my mindset. For the first time in a long time, I feel in control of my journey. The support from the Weight Watchers community, combined with the flexibility of the program, has made all the difference.

Same outfit - About a year apart.. My face is so much thinner!

CELBEBRATE the SMALL wins!

The app and the resources provided have been incredibly helpful, allowing me to track what I eat, learn about portion sizes, and make better food choices without feeling restricted. It’s also been empowering to know that I can still enjoy the foods I love, just in moderation. That’s been a big part of the success for me—this isn’t about giving up everything; it’s about finding a healthy balance that works for my body and my lifestyle.

The Road Ahead

While I’m celebrating my 30-pound loss, I know my journey isn’t over. There’s still work to do, and I’m committed to continuing this path toward a healthier, happier me. What’s different this time is that I’m not focused on an end goal or a “finish line.” I’m focused on building habits that will serve me for the long term, and that mindset shift has made all the difference.

I’m so grateful for the support I’ve received and the progress I’ve made so far. This has truly been the best experience I’ve ever had when it comes to weight loss, and I’m excited to keep moving forward, step by step.

If you’re on your own weight loss journey, I encourage you to be patient with yourself and remember that progress, no matter how big or small, is still progress. We’re all on our own paths, and the important thing is that we keep moving forward.

Here’s to more progress, more victories, and continued growth!

New Position: A Fresh Start with New Challenges

I want to apologize for the long dry spell and lack of posts here—things have been a bit busy behind the scenes! But now, I’m excited to share some big news and an update on what’s been happening.

In August of 2018, my boss of 7 years, County Commissioner, Smaligo, made the decision to move on from the public sector and pursue a new career path. As he was preparing for his transition, an incredible opportunity in Human Resources opened up within the organization—a role I was not only familiar with but had held in the past.

Needless to say, I was beyond excited about the possibility of stepping into this new role. It felt like the perfect opportunity for me to continue growing in my career while also taking on fresh challenges. So, I applied immediately—and was thrilled when I was offered the position!

This new chapter has come with a lot of new responsibilities and a lot to take in, but I’m truly enjoying the challenge. There’s a lot to learn, and I’m eager to dive into it all. The transition has been both exciting and a bit overwhelming at times, but I feel incredibly grateful for this opportunity to grow and learn in a new direction.

While the learning curve has been steep, it’s been so rewarding to tackle new projects, work with amazing people, and contribute to the organization in a fresh way. I’m excited for what’s ahead, and I’m committed to embracing every new challenge that comes my way.

Thank you all for your patience and continued support. I can’t wait to share more updates and insights as I continue on this journey!