02/12/2025
"Nicole, some dogs just die." Dr. Moore, the vet I worked for as a veterinary technician here in Dallas (may he rest in peace) was always very matter-of-fact. But I don't like accepting things that suck. That make me feel sad. Dogs should live forever. Right? I was in my 20's and wanted to save the world.
Fast forward to my early 40's, and I'd had my heart broken by so many canines exiting the earth way before their time.
Dandee, the first dog I trained at 14, was a Doberman, and she was the best friend a teen girl could ask for. She new all of my secrets - even the deep, dark ones no one else knew. Her heart became enlarged, and we lost her at only 7 years old. Cardiomyopathy is harsh.
Then Raja, my sweet boy Boxer - and the first pet I raised as an adult out of the house - left me at 6 years of age due to some unknown and never discovered neurological illness that struck him overnight. He left my heart (and my wallet) incredibly empty.
There are other stories I could tell about loss of dogs long before their time, but instead, I want to talk about something awesome. I discovered pawTree. I've now been with the company for 11 years, and I have to admit I was immediately hooked. Why? The motto was simple: "Helping pets and their people thrive." Well, I want to thrive. And I want my pets to thrive. I also want that for others. This is a win-win!
As I started trying out the kibble and the supplements on my own dogs, I noticed something almost immediate. Their coats were so soft, and they weren't shedding as much. OK, that's pretty cool. Then, I noticed things about specific products that improved their lives. CBD made it so that my pups weren't so afraid of fireworks and thunderstorms. My older pets were less creaky with joint support on board. Allergy support and itch spray kept allergies at bay.
My friends and family and eventual customers started writing me about pets whose ailments had been resolved, and they were thrilled. One lady reached out ecstatic because her dog was no longer flatulent. "I did that!" It was a huge win for everyone involved.
And then I found other people who wanted to help pets and their people thrive. And we became a team. It's been an amazing ride, and I still get excited when I get questions from someone about how I might help their pets.
Make no mistake. Veterinarians are so very important, and I love and respect them. I'm simply the middle woman who helps keep pets out of the vet office and give them longer, healthier lives. And that's pretty freaking amazing.
