The First Dream Since Goodbye

Two weeks ago today, I said goodbye to my dog of 16 years.

She was there for all of it—my growing family, every move, every high, every low. Her snoring was a soundtrack to my home life, her side-eye a source of comedy, and her quiet companionship a kind of grounding peace I didn’t know I needed until she was gone.

Last night, she came to me in a dream for the very first time.

She was sitting outside in the sun—her favorite place. Her coat was shiny again, like it used to be. She looked up at me, healthy and happy, and for a moment I swear I could feel her near. It was comforting in a way that words really can’t explain. I didn’t know how much I needed that dream until I woke up with tears in my eyes and a full heart.

If you’ve ever loved a dog—truly loved a dog—you know what I mean. They are our silent keepers of routine, emotion, and presence. They know when we need comfort. They greet us like we’ve been gone for years after just running to the mailbox. They’re there when we buy our first home, when we bring our babies home, when we move, when we grow, and—far too soon—when we have to say goodbye.

And in this business of real estate, I can’t help but notice how often they show us what home means.

It’s in the paw prints on hardwood floors.
The worn spot on the couch they claimed as their own.
The gate you never used until they needed a yard to run in.
The little toy you always found in the strangest places.
The way they made a house feel safe—like home.

People say real estate is about square footage and contracts. But for me, it’s always been about something more. It’s about where your life happens. Where your dog follows you from room to room because being near you is their whole world. Where goodbyes are whispered in the softest tones, and where love continues long after they’re gone.

So if you’re navigating a big change right now—buying, selling, moving forward, or starting over—I just want you to know: I see you. I’ve walked through homes with people grieving the loss of a pet and seen tears well up just from a familiar smell or the echo of memories in a room once shared. It’s real. And it matters.

Home isn’t just a place.
It’s a feeling.
And sometimes, it has fur and four paws.

To anyone who has ever lost their best friend, I hope they visit you in your dreams too.
And when you’re ready for the next chapter—whatever that looks like—I’ll be here, heart full and ready to help you find your next piece of "home."