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Mel & Archie

@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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Hi! I suppose this is my little corner of the internet in a nutshell.

Dogs, travel, grief, healing, invisible disabilities, cozy places and the reminder to make the memory while we still can.

Some of you came here because of Scout. Some have watched Archie step into my life and become exactly who I needed. Others may be here for the Golden Retrievers, the travel ideas, or simply because something I shared made you feel a little less alone.

Whatever brought you here, I’m grateful it did.

Now tell me something about you: What could you never stop talking about even if you tried? by @twoheartshealing

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2 months ago

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 taken in West Linn, Oregon by @twoheartshealing

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2 months ago

One of the questions I get asked most often is whether Archie has to wear a vest.

The answer is no and it’s one of the biggest misconceptions about service dogs. A service dog is a service dog because they are individually trained to perform tasks that help mitigate their handler’s disability. The vest is simply a tool.

Sometimes Archie wears his vest, and sometimes he doesn’t. When we’re entering a business, I usually choose to have him wear it because it lets others know he’s working, helps discourage distractions, and helps explain why he’s allowed in places where pet dogs are not. But the vest itself isn’t what gives him public access.

What truly matters is that the handler has a disability, the dog is individually trained to perform disability-related tasks, and the team can work safely and appropriately in public.

A well-trained service dog should remain focused on their handler and be able to work calmly and confidently in public, even with distractions around them.

I’m sharing this because I believe education benefits everyone, businesses, the public, and legitimate service dog teams. The more people understand what a working service dog actually is, the easier it becomes for those of us who rely on them every day.

I hope this helps clear up one of the most common misconceptions about service dogs.

Did you already know service dogs aren’t legally required to wear a vest?
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Service dog | Service dog vest | Golden Retriever | PTSD service dog taken in Cannon Beach, Oregon by @twoheartshealing

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3 months ago

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 taken in Oregon by @twoheartshealing

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12 hours ago

If vintage shopping and coffee sound like your kind of day, come along with us to Aurora, Oregon.

Mark, Archie and I spent the afternoon wandering through shops, sipping coffee and taking our time. These are some of my favorite kinds of days together.

We started at @auroramills, then browsed the Aurora Depot before stopping at @thecobblercoffee, owned by designer @maxwhumphrey. My brown sugar cinnamon latte felt just right for a fall afternoon.

We also visited his little pop-up inside @threedaisiesvintage, and now I’m home trying to figure out where I could put that wallpaper. Surely there’s a wall somewhere that needs it? 😂

We finished with lunch at @filbertsfarmhousekitchen. If you go, get the fig & filbert flatbread. I’m already thinking about having it again!

If you’re looking for an Oregon day trip from Portland, save this itinerary for an afternoon of antiquing, vintage finds and a cozy coffee stop.

Next time, you’ll have to join us. Coffee first or straight to the antique shops?
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Aurora Oregon | Vintage Shopping | Day trips from Portland | Things to do in Oregon | Oregon Coffee shops | Dog friendly | Slow autumn days taken in Aurora, Oregon by @twoheartshealing

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4 days ago

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 taken in Oregon by @twoheartshealing

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5 days ago

When I lost Scout, I didn’t just miss having a dog. I missed my boy. His presence, our little routines, and the way life felt with him beside me.

I created this grief guide from what I learned while trying to find my way through life without him. It holds the words I needed when my own heart was shattered, and the things I wish someone had told me.

If you’re missing your heart dog, I hope these pages help you feel understood and a little less alone. There’s no timeline for missing someone you love.

My grief guide is available through the link in my bio.

Pet Loss Grief | Heart Dog by @twoheartshealing

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16 days ago

A few snapshots from our time on the coast, celebrating my mother-in-law’s 94th birthday.

The older I get, the more I realize how much these days matter. Being together, making memories, and gathering around to sing one more “Happy Birthday.”

We can’t slow time down, but we can make time for each other. Feeling especially grateful we had this time together. taken in Lincoln City, Oregon by @twoheartshealing

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a month ago

Double date night at The Jewel Box in Lake Oswego ✨

We all shared the 24 oz. cowboy ribeye and the 8 oz. filet with glazed carrots and mashed potatoes and everything was absolutely delicious. The cocktails were just as memorable and so creative, especially the Pisco Lima and Old Fashioned.

But what made the evening even better was our waiter. He was incredibly kind, attentive and made the entire experience feel extra special. Such a lovely spot for a date night and we’ll definitely be back!

Have you been here yet?
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Date night Oregon | jewel box | Lake Oswego | PDX dining | Restaurants in Lake Oswego taken in Lake Oswego, Oregon by @twoheartshealing

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a month ago

Some days, healing looks like this. Tending to my hydrangeas, getting outside, and stopping to love on Archie.

Living with PTSD, I appreciate the moments when I can get out of my head and notice what’s around me. The changing leaves. The flowers I’ve watched grow. My sweet boy nearby, waiting for me to take a break.

Archie has changed my life in so many ways, but I’m especially grateful for these ordinary afternoons. He gives me a reason to step outside, makes me laugh, and reminds me how much comfort there is in simply having him beside me.

The older I get, the more these quiet moments mean to me. A garden to tend, a dog to love, and a little room to breathe.

What’s something simple that helps you feel more like yourself?
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Healing Journey | Life with PTSD | Gardening for Peace | Slow Living | Finding Joy in Small Moments | Life with a Service Dog | Hydrangeas taken in Oregon by @twoheartshealing

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14 days ago

Some of my favorite travel memories start with, “Let’s stop here.”

That’s how we found ourselves wandering through Cloverdale, Oregon. A little browsing at Bookish, Curiosities, a stop for coffee, and a visit to the creamery turned into a lovely part of our coast trip.

I love the charm of small towns. The little shops that make you curious, the slower pace, and the reminder that you don’t need a packed itinerary to have a memorable day.

Sometimes it’s worth leaving a little room for whatever you stumble upon.

What’s a small town you stopped in by chance and still think about? I’d love to add it to my list. taken in Cloverdale, Oregon by @twoheartshealing

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10 days ago

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 taken in Pacific City, Oregon by @twoheartshealing

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21 days ago