The Dog My Daughter Said We Needed—And She Was Right

🐾 About They Saved Me FirstToday we’re switching gears. For the next 5 weeks, I’m stepping away from our usual focus on feline wellness to share something a little different—and a lot more personal.I started this series because I kept hearing the same thing:“I thought I rescued them… but really, they rescued me.”They Saved Me First is a collection of real, emotional stories from people who’ve been through something hard—grief, burnout, heartbreak, trauma—and the animals who showed up when they needed them most.These aren’t expert interviews. They’re about the quiet, powerful bond between humans and the animals that helped them keep going. And these stories aren’t just about cats. They’re about dogs, rabbits, and any pet that’s helped someone through something hard.💛 Episode SnapshotIn today’s episode, I’m talking with Suzanne Jabour—a grief coach, speaker, and grieving mom—about how a dog she didn’t want at first ended up becoming exactly what she and her daughter needed.His name is Gus Gus.He came into their lives not long after Suzanne’s 22-year-old son passed away. And while Gus Gus didn’t make everything better, he reminded them—day by day—that joy, connection, and healing were still possible.We talk about what it means to care for another living being when you’re barely holding yourself together… and how sometimes the thing that gets us off the couch is the thing that brings us back to life.✨ In This Episode:🐶 How grief shaped the decision to adopt a dog🙅‍♀️ Why Suzanne didn’t want a pet… but said yes anyway🌀 The reality of adopting a rescue with a big personality💛 How Gus Gus became a daily reminder that joy and connection are still possible🌱 The small, grounding rituals that helped her move forward🤝 Why pets give us what no one else can—and how to find that support even if you can’t adopt one📍 Where to Find Suzanne* Website: suzannejabour.com* TEDx Talk: Watch on YouTube* Facebook + LinkedIn🦴 One More Walk: A Reflection from Suzanne“He came to us at exactly the right time. He brought exactly the right challenges. The right love. The right presence.And those things helped us keep taking baby steps forward.”🧡 Final Thought“There’s something about coming home to somewhere that has another heartbeat in it. That’s what Gus Gus gave us. And that made all the difference.”🎧 Listen + ShareIf this story hit home, you’re not alone.And if you have a story about how a pet helped you through something hard, I’d love to hear it.This is what They Saved Me First is all about—real stories, quiet strength, and the animals who help us keep moving when we don’t know how.Thanks for listening. 🐾 Get full access to Golden Whiskers at www.goldenwhiskerslove.com/subscribe