When I received an invitation to participate in a national Pet Wellness campaign distributed through USA TODAY, my first reaction was excitement.
My second reaction was gratitude.
Not just because our brand Pardon Thy French and Beverly were being recognized, but because even after all this time, people are still asking about Beth.
More than a year after her passing, it continues to amaze me that the story of a little three-legged French Bulldog can still resonate with so many people. Beth was never just a dog. She was the heart behind everything we've built, the reason Pardon Thy French exists, and the inspiration behind our passion for rescue advocacy. To be invited to share her story as part of a campaign focused on pet wellness was both incredibly flattering and deeply meaningful.
It reminded me that while Beth may no longer be physically with us, her impact continues to live on.
The campaign was created to help pet owners navigate the ever-growing world of pet health and wellness. With new products, technology, treatments, and advice appearing every day, pet parents are often left wondering what is truly best for their animals. The goal was to empower people to make informed decisions while celebrating the incredible joy pets bring to our lives.
As I reflected on what I wanted to share, I realized that nearly everything I've learned about pet wellness has come from the dogs themselves.
Beth taught me that wellness isn't about perfection.
Throughout her life, she faced challenge after challenge. She lost a leg before we adopted her, battled vision issues, navigated mobility struggles, and faced more than her fair share of health obstacles. Yet she approached every day with determination, curiosity, and joy. She never focused on what she couldn't do. She simply made the most of what she had.
Today, Beverly carries that lesson forward.
When Beverly entered our lives, she came with her own list of challenges. Discarded after suffering a prolapsed uterus and living with multiple physical abnormalities, she wasn't the dog many people would have chosen. But what we've learned through rescue time and time again is that the dogs who require a little extra care often have the most to teach us.
Watching Beverly grow stronger, gain confidence, and embrace life despite her limitations has reinforced something Beth taught us years ago: special-needs pets are so much more than their diagnoses.
They are playful.
They are resilient.
They are capable.
And they deserve every opportunity to thrive.
Another reason this feature felt so special was the incredible company we were fortunate to be included alongside. The campaign brought together respected pet advocates, creators, organizations, and industry leaders including Katherine Heigl, Rachael Ray, The Dogist, Nala Cat, Bunny, Maxine the Fluffy Corgi, Hammy & Olivia, the American Kennel Club, Best Friends Animal Society, American Humane Society, and many others who have dedicated their platforms and careers to improving the lives of animals.
To see Beth and Beverly's story featured among so many influential voices in the pet space was both humbling and rewarding. While our community may be smaller than some of the household names included in the campaign, it was a reminder that impact isn't measured by follower count.
Impact is measured by the lives changed.
The dogs adopted.
The conversations started.
And the people inspired to look beyond a disability, medical condition, or age and see the incredible animal underneath.
Over the years, we've heard from countless families who adopted senior dogs, welcomed special-needs pets into their homes, or gave a chance to a rescue animal others overlooked because of something they saw in Beth's story. More recently, we've received those same messages because of Beverly.
Those stories are why we continue to share our journey.
Being part of this campaign wasn't simply an opportunity to talk about pet wellness. It was an opportunity to honor Beth's legacy, celebrate Beverly's journey, and continue advocating for animals who deserve to be seen for who they are rather than the challenges they face.
We are incredibly grateful to Modern Wellness Guide, USA TODAY, and everyone involved in this campaign for including our family alongside so many respected voices in the pet community.
Most of all, we're grateful to Beth.
Because if one little three-legged rescue dog hadn't changed our lives all those years ago, none of this would have been possible.
And we have a feeling she'd be pretty proud of Beverly, and her little sister Billie too ;)
