—  Our Story

Animals have always been a part of my life. Growing up, my family always had pets, and when I moved to Los Angeles, it was the first time I didn’t have an animal to care for.

That changed in 2009 when I adopted Rocket Larry, a baby Sulcata tortoise who quickly became my first friend in LA. He was just nine months old and fit in the palm of my hand. Today, Larry is much bigger, spends his days basking in the sun, digging in the dirt, and snacking on farmer’s market favorites like strawberries, dandelions, and cactus. He’s a gentle giant with a big personality, and most likely, he’ll outlive me!

In 2011, my life completely changed. A friend found a puppy at a bus stop in Los Angeles—tiny, sandy-brindle, with a cleft lip and a bow tie for a collar. That puppy was Puka. What started as “just fostering for the weekend” quickly turned into forever. From the moment she came into my life, Puka wasn’t just a dog, she was my equal.

Puka is my soul dog. She taught me patience, communication, the joy of adventure, and how to live with unconditional love. She became the center of my world, my greatest teacher, and the reason I became so involved in the rescue community. On November 2, 2023, I lost Puka to lymphoma. Saying goodbye to her was the hardest thing I have ever gone through. The grief of losing her is something I carry every day, but so is the gratitude of having shared my life with her. She truly was, and still is, my heart.

Before Puka left this world, she told me that she loves me “more than the best food that comes from the fridge.” Her words make me smile to this day, and I’ll treasure them forever.

While Puka will always be my heart, new chapters of love found their way to me. One of the most special was my sweet foster pup, Willie, who came into my life in 2019. She bravely championed multiple surgeries and therapy to correct her deformed front legs and I officially adopted her in 2021, making her a permanent member of our family. Willie is resilient, silly, and endlessly loving. In 2024, she was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo chemotherapy. She lost her ears to high-grade mast cell tumors, but through it all, she has remained brave, strong, and full of joy. Willie inspires me every single day. I can’t imagine my life without her.

Between Puka, Willie, and Rocket Larry, my home has been full of unconditional love, laughter, and lessons that only animals can teach. Each one of them has their own story, and together, they’ve shaped mine.

Rescuing and fostering animals has shown me just how powerful love and second chances can be. Every animal deserves a safe, happy life, and I feel honored to be part of their journey.