Life Without My Soul Dog

Hello there pet parent friends. I haven’t been in your inbox or on Substack since last year back in December and unfortunately I’m back with very sad news. My good boy, my soul dog, took his last breath on July 5th, 2026 at 14 years old. I was Simba’s person. I was his favorite human ever and he was the bestest good boy a girl could ask for. I am not ok. This is one of the hardest goodbyes ever and I know y’all get it because you know that dogs are family.

I can’t believe I can’t hug him anymore. Walking back in the house without him really did something to me. Night one without him was heartbreaking 💔 He’s usually curled up right beside me every morning when I wake up.

The silence is extremely LOUD. All the little things remind me he is no longer here. July 5th was rough, but I’m so glad I’ve documented all of these memories of him with you all! Simba will not be missing from these Internet streets. I’ll always share him with y’all.

Thank you all so much for the outpouring love and support. EVERYBODY loved Simba and your comments on all social platforms we are on from Instagram to Threads to right here on Substack really show that. I’ve cried reading every single comment 🥹 Thank you for being here 💖

OMG I didn’t know that July 5th was Pet Remembrance Day! The reason I’m in shock is because that’s the day my good boy passed away. He couldn’t just leave on any regular smegular old day…he had to pick the one day dedicated to remembering him. Main character energy, seriously 😌😎

Sometimes you have to just make yourself laugh instead of cry 🤭🥲

I need my pet parent community now more than ever since the passing of my soul dog Simba 😔 I NEED to connect with those that KNOW that dogs are more than just a dog…dogs are FAMILY! 💖

I reopened my DOGS ARE FAMILY community last year, but I really want to get it more active and share a million photos and videos of our dogs of course…

Who wants in? 👀

I’m down to hear any ideas to make the Dogs Are Family community amazing. I want to start back up my book club where we read books featuring dogs, we need to get on our Zoom and talk about our ups and downs with our dogs, and so much more.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

If you don’t have a Facebook and don’t want to get one to join, that’s ok. Connect with me right here on Substack by commenting on my Notes or joining the chat.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MY NOTES

A LOT. That’s what this year has been for my family and I. 2025 was rough, but 2026 has made us drop down to our knees, lose our breath, and just can’t believe this is real.

This is our new normal…going on with life without key people we love. Death has knocked on our door far too many times this year. Back to back to back. We’ve lost THREE grandparents and most recently our Sweet Simba 😭

Family has always been everything to us. That is the reason why I started DogMomPOV & Meet The Chambers to capture those small, beautiful moments and hold onto memories with the ones we love and inspire you to do the same.

Lately, that’s felt so hard to do, but I know it’s more important now than ever. I know I’ve been quiet and it’s because I’ve lost the motivation to post with everything that’s been going on, but I’m so grateful you’ve stayed through the silence. Coming back feels like a huge step, and I’d love to feel your presence in the comments today.

If you’re still here, let me know you’re here. Seeing your names and comments pop up really helps me feel connected again and gives me that push to keep sharing, one day at a time. Thank you for being a part of our journey, even through the hard times.

Grief is hard. It doesn’t go away. There’s always a memory that pops up that gets you all in your feels again and makes you miss the presence of the one you’ve lost. Praying for everyone who is going through tough times like this as well. Continue to cherish every moment, make memories, and capture them so you’ll always have them. Hug your dog for me! I’ll be hugging the memories of Simba and continuing to share him with you as well as my 2 year old Schnauzer Zuri.

Here’s a slideshow of some of our moments with Simba:

There are a lot of new subscribers so allow me to reintroduce myself.

👸🏾🐾I create relatable dog mom content to bring pet parents the joy my furkids bring to me by sharing my moments with them.

👸🏾🐾Here to connect with people who know dogs are much more than “just a dog” - dogs are family 🫶🏾

👸🏾🐾We have tons of cute dog videos, dog mom fun, & tips on my Dog Mom POV YouTube channel & social media! If you love all that make sure you FOLLOW me here & other places. I’m @DogMomPOV everywhere 😊

I created this newsletter & community for dog moms to connect with other dog moms who get it. Some people don’t get that our dogs are the world to us and are much more than “just a dog” 😌 🥰

Talk soon!

Kia x Simba x Zuri

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