My Life Surrounded by Dogs: The Heart Behind Pure Paws

Me and Mozzi

I’ve never known life without dogs. They’ve been part of every chapter of my story, from childhood all the way into adulthood, shaping who I am and ultimately inspiring Pure Paws.

My Childhood Dogs

Growing up, my home was always full of dogs and life.

Two of my earliest companions were my Shar Peis, Ming and China. They were a big part of my childhood and my first real understanding of how deeply a dog can become family. China eventually developed cancer, and losing her was incredibly hard. That experience stayed with me and shaped how I see the importance of caring for our pets.

After Ming and China, we welcomed Tea Bone into our family. She brought so much energy and personality into the home. Tea Bone and Ming even had a puppy together named Tye Bo — or Bobo for short (though we rarely kept it that short!).

After Tye Bo, we later brought Tulsa into our lives, a boxer who became part of my childhood and early memories of growing up with dogs.

Takito, a chihuahua, also joined our family during my childhood and added even more personality and energy to the mix.

Even though all of these dogs were part of my childhood home, Tulsa was the first dog I truly considered my own — even as a child.

My Adult Dogs

As I got older and started building my own life, my relationship with dogs only grew deeper.

Mozzi, my sweet Pomeranian, came into my life as an adult and became my constant companion and heart dog. About four years later, we brought home Noah, another Pomeranian, who quickly became just as important to our little pack.

Mozzi and Noah eventually had puppies, and those puppies brought so much joy and love into our lives. Watching them grow and being surrounded by that kind of energy reminded me just how special dogs truly are.

Why This Matters

Looking back, I can clearly see the difference between my childhood and adulthood — but one thing stayed the same: dogs were always at the center of my life.

Each one taught me something different about love, loss, responsibility, and joy. Those lessons are what led me here.

Pure Paws was born from a lifetime of living with dogs — not just as pets, but as family members. I’ve experienced the heartbreak of loss, the chaos of puppies, and the everyday moments that make life with dogs so meaningful.

This isn’t just a business to me. It’s personal. It always has been.