Several years ago, I was scrolling through Facebook — not searching for anything—when a picture stopped me cold.

A tiny, broken little Chihuahua.

My breed. My heart.

She looked so lost…so fragile…so deeply in need of love that I felt it physically! Right through the screen, something in me said,

“That’s my dog”

I can’t explain it any other way except to say I just knew. My intuition, my Spirit, and something far greater than me whispered the same thing:

GO GET HER!

But life wasn’t simple then. We had just said goodbye to three dogs — all old, all loved, all deeply mourned. My husband didn’t want any more dogs, and I understood.

Still, this pull toward her wouldn’t leave me. So I prayed.

“GOD...if this baby is supposed to be mine, you have to make it happen. Then, I surrendered. If she is meant to be mine, open the door. If not, close it gently.”

And I let go.

I told my husband that “no” was a completely acceptable answer — truly. I meant it. I knew forcing this wasn’t the way.

Her name was Grace.

One day, we were out running errands, and my husband overheard someone say the word Grace. Just a word, something shifted. When we got into the car, he looked at me and said: get the dog.

I almost fell over.

It was the exact answer I had prayed for…Clear…Soft…Surprising. Divine.

We brought her home — this tiny little baby who had survived more than most. And for three years and two months, I was gifted with the most profound, healing, soul-level connection I have ever had with an animal.

She was my Soul Dog

Grace didn’t just come into my life—she mended something in me.

Something tender.

Something ancient.

Something that needed love in a language only she could speak.

And when the day came that I had to release her back to God, my heart was broken. But even in the grief, I knew her purpose wasn’t over.

A messenger.

A healer.

A beginning.

Finding Grace Sanctuary exists because of her. Because she showed me what connection can do. How animals can heal. How nature holds us, and love—pure, simple, unconditional—can change everything.

This work, this mission, this calling…

It’s all in honor of her.

Her Life.

Her Love.

Her Legacy.

I hope you will embrace the reality of Grace, not just the dog, but the presence, the kindness, the connection she embodied.

And I hope you’ll join us as we help others find their own version of Grace.