My Nonprofit Reviews

When I made the decision to go to treatment in October 2024, it wasn’t because I was out of options — it was because I finally chose to do it for myself. But even with that clarity, the fear of losing my two dogs almost kept me from going. The person who had promised to care for them backed out, and I was facing the very real possibility of surrendering them to a shelter. That thought broke me. They’re not just pets — they’re my family, and the idea of them being scared, confused, or separated from me was devastating.

Then another patient told me about Pawsative Recovery, and everything changed. Within a week, they found fosters for my two chihuahuas — people who didn’t just care for them, but loved them. For the four months I was in inpatient and sober living, I got weekly updates and pictures that kept me going on the hardest days. Seeing them happy, safe, and cared for reminded me of what I was fighting for.

I remember being sick in bed one day, feeling sorry for myself, and thinking back to one of the first things I bought with my first paycheck while in sober living — an electric blanket. Every time I roasted under it, I’d imagine how excited I was to get my dogs back and how much they were going to love it too. Now, here I am — sober, cuddled up under that same blanket with my babies by my side, filled with so much damn blessing and gratitude. I ended up becoming a house manager, and now I work as the program coordinator at the sober living home. I’m about to celebrate six months sober, and I know that the love and security my dogs received through Pawsative Recovery was a huge part of that. I’m still sober today, and I continue to choose this life — for me, and for them.