In Memoriam

10/11/12 • 3/16/24

I will be forever grateful to Rawhide Rescue for bringing Teddy into my life. He was rescued from a kill shelter in Little Rock, Arkansas, and transported hundreds of miles to Bridgewater, New Jersey—where our souls found each other in February of 2013. From the moment I met him, I knew he was my dog. What I didn’t know was that he would become my everything.

Only months after adopting him, my mother passed away suddenly. Teddy became my lifeline through grief—the steady heartbeat beside me when everything else went silent. He was more than my child… he was my soul, my comfort, my reason to get up each morning.

We built an incredible life together. Teddy grew up in the East Village of New York City, where we explored dog parks all over the city—Tompkins Square, Washington Square, even the secret one my neighbors and I made on 1st Avenue. He walked two miles with me to and from work in Tribeca every day, never complaining, always eager for our next adventure. He was gentle and sweet with everyone he met. He didn’t need to be taught kindness—it was already in him.

After a few years, we started a new chapter in Los Angeles. Teddy became my emotional support animal, flying under the seat in front of me like a seasoned traveler. I wanted him to have a relationship with my nieces and nephew, and he did—becoming part of their childhoods and my mom’s legacy so he travelked wiht me back to NJ often.

In California, we found our rhythm again—joining a queer hiking group called The Hiking Vikings, exploring trails and mountains together. Teddy amazed me every time, navigating tough terrain with ease and curiosity. It was through those hikes that we met Sean, who would become Teddy’s second dad. Together, we built a family that revolved around love, adventure, and the little things that made life full.

Teddy was quirky and endlessly endearing—obsessed with chewing the ears off his stuffed animals, passionate about food and bones, always needing his head propped just right when he slept. He had this way of staring at me that said everything words never could.

He was with me for 11½ years—through heartbreaks, moves, milestones, and growth. He traveled across the country with me: Vegas, Houston, Palm Springs, Idyllwild, and back to New York and New Jersey. He met every phase of my life with love, loyalty, and joy.

He passed peacefully, surrounded by me, Sean, and Hazel—his newly rescued little sister. I can’t put into words the depth of this loss. Teddy wasn’t just a dog… he was the last tangible connection I had to my mom, the bridge between my past and my healing. Losing him shattered me, but the love he gave me will guide me forever.

Thank you, Rawhide Rescue, for bringing him to me. You didn’t just save his life—you changed mine.

Back in 2011 I was searching rescue groups looking for a dog to bring into my life once again. I wasn’t sure what I was searching for but felt when I saw him/her I would know. And there he was! Listed with Rawhide and I just knew I had to meet him. God tested me 3 times that day. He place 3 hurdles in my path but I eventually got to the adoption location and found him. I just knew he was meant to be mine and thankfully I was chosen. Oh what a blessing this boy was in my life for 12yrs and 4mths until the day I had to let him cross the bridge. He meant the world to me and my whole world revolved around him. He was such a special, loving dog and really never met a stranger he didn’t like. I miss and love you Charlie forever until someday we’re together again. Wait for me my sweet boy.