Who we are…

Hello there and welcome!

Step into my world and let me share my inspiration for Earth & Paw! Let me introduce my big furry family!

Josiah, the man behind the curtain, is my husband and my biggest supporter. I wouldn’t be able to any of this without him!

Belle was my first cat in collage and she was a gift from a friend. I helped bottle-feed her. Unfortunately, before she was old enough to be fixed, she carried a litter of kittens. Giddeon became my second cat. They came with me into my marriage but getting them to Washington I first had to leave them in California. At some points, I thought I was going to lose them but their circumstances changed for the better. Kit was a kitten abandoned at the vet I worked at in Bellevue, WA about 7 years later. He became the best part of my welcome committee to help transition newcomers for pet sitting. He is the bravest ragdoll you’ll ever meet.

Before Kit, Aruna was 6 months old and rescued from an abusive situation in Yakima, WA. My friend, a breeder from California, asked me to help save her and transport her back to California to her. To our disbelief, we fell in love with Aruna, and signed a contract to fix her. She became our first dog. Optimus came from Yakima, WA as well and as an 8 week puppy. I saw he was filthy and skinny but he had the biggest heart. He still is my right hand; my golden boy who can do no wrong. We moved to Kirkland, WA from Bellevue and happened upon Maverick. I love my clients and one of them was in desperate need of boarding. Her circumstances led her to put him up for adoption so he became ours and is the most animated of our pack. Our last three came to us around the same time. Ikarus was a planned adoption from Aruna’s kin. I had followed him since before he was born. As Aruna’s nephew, my husband and I welcomed him as family. He didn’t come to us without behavioral issues so we continued rigorous training to discourage his “litter-mate” syndrome. He took well to the training recommended from “Cherry Hoggs” to be able to trust us as pack leaders and now his jealousy trigger is gone! I follow them for all aspects of pup engagement.

My bleeding heart for huskies as the most misunderstood breed led me to finding Bogey and Oso. I followed their stories of abandonment on social media. Both ended up on death row at Downey Animal Shelter in California; Oso for being a senior and Bogey for a broken leg that needed amputation. The system failed them both but I stepped up for them and got the right people involved. Bogey arrived first, skinny, and we had to pay to amputate his back leg. We quickly found out, even after being hit by a car, he had a love for humans which is why he was the “staff favorite” because his personality is loud about connecting with you. 

Oso was a difficult case for me, watching so many people speak up for him only to see them fall through. He was hours away from being euthanized for space so I stood for him and stayed with him every step of the way. I arranged a rescue to save him and transport so I could foster him in Washington. He was 10 pounds under weight and had an ear infection in both ears. He is the oldest dog we have but fits in so well with our pack. He’s mischievous and grumpy but his sass is strong. I helped him heal with the help of the rescue and vet care but I was most looking forward to seeing his personality. Getting to know such a sweet boy has been an absolute honor.

We wouldn’t want to trade our babies for the world. Knowing each of them has been the biggest privilege of our lives. Though, we won’t stop advocating for animal welfare and would love to keep partnering with rescues to help aid in their efforts to save as many lives as possible in this lifetime, fostering saves lives. I hope we will be an inspiration to you to speak up for the voiceless and foster when you can!

Here are some resources to help you get started!