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twoheartshealing

@twoheartshealing

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Slow living with my SD Archie 🦮
Cozy spaces • slow travel • healing
PTSD & invisible disability advocate📍PDX | Dog mom to @scoutgoldenretriever

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Happy birthday, my silly Scout. You would have been 11 today.

I wish I were planning your birthday instead of writing this. Picking out a treat, taking too many pictures, and telling you over and over what a special boy you are.

You would think after all this time I’d know what to do with days like this. But I still find myself wishing for the same thing. A little more time with you.

Six years will never feel like enough.

You brought so much comfort with your Free Hugs, but you also brought so much laughter. Your naughtiness, your goofiness, those weird little antics. That’s what I miss most.

I can leave a plate of food unattended now, and it’s still there when I come back. I never thought that would be something that made me sad.

There’s so much I wish I could tell you. About the people who still remember you. About how the community we started together is still bringing people and their dogs together.

And about Archie. He was the best gift you could have sent me. He’s given me a sense of independence and such loyal love. I want you to know I’m doing okay. He takes good care of me.

I just wish you two could have met. What I wouldn’t give to watch you play together.

So many of your friends have joined you lately. I hope you’re all celebrating together today, eating lots of Chicken McNuggets and cake, and getting into a little birthday mischief.

You’re still part of my life. I say your name, tell your stories, and carry you into places we never got to go together. As a matter of fact, we’re getting ready to take you with us to Japan and Thailand!

But on a day like today, I sure wish heaven had visiting hours. I’d love to get one of your hugs again.

Happy birthday in heaven, Scout. I love you, and I’m so glad I got to be your mom.

Love,
Mom

Scout filled the world with kindness. In honor of his birthday today, I’d love for you to do a random act of kindness in his name. It would mean so much to know his love is still being passed along. #inscoutshonor
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Dog birthday in heaven
| Golden retriever | Free Hugs | Random acts of kindness | Pet Loss

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Decorative pillows: optional. Golden retriever: essential.
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Cozy fall home • Golden retriever • Fall bedroom decor • Life with dogs • Dog mom life • Autumn at home

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You can see a peaceful moment and still not know what it took for someone to get there.

Today is World Mental Health Day, and I want to share a little more of the story behind the moments you see here.

My PTSD is connected to childhood emotional neglect and SA by two teenage boys when I was in my teens. The assault did not involve my parents. Growing up, they were busy with their own lives, and I often felt emotionally alone.

For years, I felt ashamed of my anxiety and panic attacks. I worried about what people would think if they knew how much I struggled. But the more openly I’ve talked about it, the more I’ve realized how many of us are carrying things others cannot see.

Many of you know Archie is my PTSD service dog. He helps ground me during panic attacks, wakes me from nightmares, and brings comfort when the world feels overwhelming. His support has changed my life.

There are still hard days. A beautiful sunset, a trip, or a smiling photo doesn’t tell the whole story. Those moments of joy are real, and so are the struggles.

This is why I’m drawn to the idea of wabi-sabi, finding beauty in imperfection and accepting that life is always changing. For me, it’s a reminder that I don’t have to be perfectly healed to be worthy of love or to enjoy the life in front of me.

Healing isn’t linear. I’m still learning to give myself the kindness I would so readily offer someone else.

If you see a little of yourself in these words, you don’t owe anyone your story to deserve understanding and support. There is no shame in needing help.

What’s one small thing that helps you feel grounded on a difficult day? No need to share anything more personal than you’re comfortable with.

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World Mental Health Day | Living with PTSD | Oregon Coast | PTSD service dog | Healing from trauma

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Dear Archie,

You don’t know what PTSD means. You just know when I need you close.

You’ve helped me through panic, woken me from nightmares, and stayed beside me when facing the day felt overwhelming.

With you, I’ve found the courage to go places and do things that once felt out of reach. And on the days when we don’t get very far, you’re right there, too.

I wish I could explain what that means. How much of my life you’ve helped me get back. How grateful I am that we found each other.

I hope you feel as loved and cared for as you make me feel.

Love,
Mom

If you could write your dog one sentence, what would you want them to know?

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This little voice feels like it could be Archie talking. 🥹

He follows me everywhere, makes me laugh, and sits beside me when I’m quiet. As my PTSD service dog, he helps ground me when things feel overwhelming. But some of the moments I’m most grateful for are the quiet ones, when he’s close and I don’t have to explain a thing.

I wish he could understand just how much his presence means to me.

How lucky are we to share this world with dogs? Literal angels on earth.

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We just got home from Pacific City, and I already wish we were back. Those few days by the ocean felt so good for my soul. We had nowhere we needed to be, and I think that was exactly what I needed.

At @surfersparadisepc, our mornings started with coffee and long walks on the beach with Archie. The beach is right outside the back door, so we could wander down whenever we wanted. Afterward, we’d warm up by the fire, then end the evening in the hot tub listening to the ocean.

Thank you to our hosts at Surfer’s Paradise ( the newest addition to our @pawtasticstays list ) for having us. It was such a lovely place to slow down and spend time together.

Who would you bring with you?

📌 Save this for a future coast trip, or comment COZY and I’ll send you the link. You can also book Surfer’s Paradise through Airbnb or Vrbo.

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Cozy cabin | Oregon coast | Dog friendly airbnb finds | Pacific city | Beach Getaway | Pacific Northwest

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The older I get, the more I realize how quickly time passes. Our dogs are here for such a small part of it, and yet somehow, they become such a HUGE part of us.

They see us on our best days and our hardest ones. They know the version of us that the rest of the world may never see, and they love us through all of it.

So climb into bed with them. Stay for the extra cuddle. Take the photo. Go on the walk. Put your phone down and really take them in. Because someday, these ordinary little moments will be the ones you would give anything to have back.

Their time with us is far too short, but the love they give us becomes part of who we are and that lasts forever.

My golden pj’s @saltwaterswaddles

P.S. Since a few of you have already asked about Archie’s bed steps, comment STEPS or and I’ll send you my link.
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A girl and her dog | Golden retriever | life’s short cuddle your dog | Cozy

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Sorry, I’m busy…making the kind of plans I never want to be too busy for.

There will always be a reason to wait, for better weather, more energy or the “right” time. But life is short, and losing another beloved friend has reminded me once again just how precious these ordinary moments really are.

We never know how many rainy walks, happy zoomies or dance parties with our dogs we’ll be given. So let them run. Let the rain fall. Be silly. Take the video. Dance with your dog even if someone might be watching.

Don’t wait for the storm to pass. Make a memory in the rain.

What simple moment with your dog makes you happiest?

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Dancing in the rain | life is short | A girl and her dog | Golden retriever | PNW

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The “ber” months have arrived in the Pacific Northwest. Tea in bed, Archie by my side and the sound of rain outside… this is my kind of cozy.

Anyone else feel like they come alive this time of year?

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As Archie gets older, protecting his hips and joints has become even more important to me. He can still jump onto the bed, but doing it repeatedly, especially jumping back down, can put unnecessary stress on his body over time.

I’ve been looking for sturdy dog stairs, and these feel stable and secure enough for a bigger dog like Archie.

✨I’ll keep the link in my stories, favorite pet finds highlight or tap the shopping bag symbol on the video to get one for your pup if you’ve also been on the hunt!

Does your dog use stairs or a ramp to get on and off the bed?

Follow @twoheartshealing for more of our favorite dog finds!
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Dog stairs for bed | pet health | Dog steps for large dogs | Dog joint protection | Dog hip support | Golden Retriever essentials

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Spent some time wandering through sunflower fields with the best adventure buddy. 🌻

It’s been a while since I’ve taken photos with something other than my iPhone and boy, I’d forgotten how much I love it.

Do you tend to carry your camera with you or do you end up just taking most photos with your iPhone? #shotonsonyalpha

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