Have you ever felt that quiet pull toward something that just makes sense in your bones? For one woman in New York City, that something was dogs—specifically, the ones who needed a temporary home, a gentle hand, and a chance to heal. What began as weekend volunteering at shelters slowly became the compass for her entire life. And when life threw a curveball in the form of a sudden job loss, she didn’t just pivot. She leaped.
Today, at 32, she wakes up in a Brooklyn apartment with a yard—rare treasure in the city—and spends her days doing exactly what lights her up: caring for foster dogs, capturing their stories, and turning those moments into a career that feels more like a calling. I’ve always believed the best paths reveal themselves when we’re forced to stop following someone else’s map. Her story reminds me how true that is.
The Moment Everything Changed
Picture this: fresh out of college, juggling literature classes and long subway rides to volunteer at an animal shelter. Those hours spent walking dogs or simply sitting with them in their kennels weren’t glamorous. They were grounding. In a city that never slows down, those quiet connections kept her steady through the uncertainty of her twenties. She always knew she wanted to tell stories—especially the ones about animals who rarely get heard.
Her first real job felt like a dream come true at the time. Traveling the country (and eventually the world) as an assistant to a dog photographer meant carrying gear, taking notes, and meeting hundreds of pups along the way. The pay wasn’t great, but the joy was unmatched. Then, just before her 30th birthday, that chapter ended abruptly. Laid off. No warning. Suddenly, the question wasn’t “What next?” but “What do I actually want?”
In my experience, those rock-bottom moments are rarely comfortable, but they’re often clarifying. She had two paths: play it safe with another steady job or take a risk on herself. She chose the risk. And it started with something as simple as a backyard.
Finding Home—and a New Beginning
Moving into a new apartment with her partner and their special-needs rescue dog marked a turning point. After years of cramped city living, having outdoor space felt almost miraculous. The landlord didn’t mind dogs. The timing felt right. So she leaned in harder to fostering.
The first foster pup was a Heeler mix—full of energy and a little unsure. On the way to pick him up, she asked her partner to record a quick video. Nothing fancy. Just her talking to the camera about the process, the nerves, the excitement. She shared it online, expecting maybe a handful of views from friends. Instead, it exploded. Hundreds of thousands of people watched, liked, commented. They weren’t just watching a dog—they were watching hope unfold in real time.
That single video changed the game. Suddenly, strangers cared about this one dog’s bath time, play sessions, bubble-chasing adventures in the yard. And when he found his forever home, the comments poured in with tears and gratitude. People craved those feel-good endings. More importantly, they wanted to see how fostering actually worked—especially in a tiny city apartment with limited space and big emotions.
Dogs have this uncanny ability to connect us to something bigger than ourselves. When you witness one go from scared to loved, it’s impossible not to feel moved.
—A dog lover reflecting on fostering
She kept going. But she made a deliberate choice: focus on the harder cases. Medical needs. Behavioral challenges. The dogs most shelters struggle to place. Why? Because she’d already learned patience and empathy from her own rescue dog, who lives with a chronic condition. Caring for him had reshaped how she approached the world. Plus, most rescue organizations cover expenses—food, vet bills, supplies. The only real cost was time and heart. And she had plenty of both to give.
Building a Community One Foster at a Time
Over the next few years, nearly thirty foster dogs came through her home. Each one brought a different story, a different set of needs, and a different lesson. Some needed medication schedules and quiet spaces. Others required slow introductions and endless patience. Every journey was documented—raw, honest, unfiltered. The audience grew. First thousands, then hundreds of thousands, eventually millions across platforms.
What struck me most about her approach was the authenticity. No polished filters hiding the messy parts. You saw the late-night cleanups, the anxiety of not knowing if a dog would improve, the pure joy when they finally wagged their tail without fear. People didn’t just watch—they felt invested. They rooted for each dog like it was their own.
- She showed the unglamorous reality of fostering medical cases—meds, recovery, setbacks.
- She highlighted how even small progress (a first walk without panic, eating without guarding) felt monumental.
- She proved that city apartments could still be safe havens for dogs in need.
And the impact went beyond views. Through her platform, she’s helped raise significant funds for animal welfare groups. Brands noticed—ones that align with pet care, outdoor living, even fashion. Collaborations came naturally because her content was genuine. No hard sells. Just real life with dogs.
From Side Project to Full-Time Freedom
Before going all-in, she spent time freelancing. Reaching out to pet brands, offering to create content or manage accounts. One major partnership involved traveling to shelters to spotlight adoptable dogs. It wasn’t easy juggling a full-time job with this side work, but those connections laid the foundation. When freelancing became unsustainable alongside a day job, she made the leap.
Now, her days vary wildly—and that’s the beauty of it. One morning might involve picking up a new foster, gently cleaning them up, and introducing them to the resident dog. Another could be a professional photoshoot with past fosters. Some afternoons are spent writing, chasing deadlines for her upcoming memoir. Freedom like that doesn’t come without effort, but when it aligns with what you love, it feels effortless.
Perhaps the most rewarding part? Watching how dogs bridge gaps between people. They remind us to stay present, to celebrate small victories, to offer kindness without expecting anything back. In a world that often feels disconnected, sharing these stories creates real bonds. Strangers message her about their own fostering journeys. Families decide to adopt because they saw it could work. It’s ripple effects on a massive scale.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
If there’s one piece of advice that stands out from her experience, it’s this: start small. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Begin where you are—with whatever resources you have. She didn’t launch a brand-new account with zero followers and expect overnight success. She built slowly, consistently, authentically.
- Identify what you genuinely love—something that energizes you even on tough days.
- Share it consistently, even when the audience is tiny.
- Be honest about the hard parts; people connect more with realness than perfection.
- Network genuinely—reach out, offer value, build relationships over time.
- Know when to take the leap, but have a bridge (like freelancing) to make it less terrifying.
I’ve found that passion projects often grow fastest when they’re rooted in service. In her case, the service was to the dogs first. The audience and opportunities followed naturally because the intention was pure. It’s a powerful reminder that doing good can also lead to personal success.
The Emotional Side of Fostering
Of course, it’s not all sunshine and tail wags. Saying goodbye is brutal. Each adoption brings joy for the dog and bittersweet ache for her. She’s learned to hold space for both emotions. Some fosters stay in touch—photos from new homes, updates on milestones. Others leave quieter marks, but no less meaningful.
One thing that surprised her was how fostering deepened her empathy overall. Dealing with dogs who had rough starts taught her patience she didn’t know she had. It spilled over into relationships, work, life. She became more present, less reactive. Dogs, it turns out, are incredible teachers—if we’re willing to listen.
The greatest gift isn’t just finding them homes—it’s witnessing how much love they have to give when given half a chance.
Her upcoming memoir weaves these threads together: the dogs, the personal growth, the unexpected turns. It’s not just about animals—it’s about finding your place in the world by helping others find theirs. And yes, it includes the messy, human parts of life too. But at its core, it’s a love letter to second chances.
Why This Story Matters Now
In a time when so many feel stuck—whether in jobs, routines, or uncertainty—stories like hers offer hope. You don’t need a fancy degree or a huge following to start. You need consistency, courage, and a willingness to show up for something bigger than yourself. The rest often follows.
She says she feels like the luckiest person alive. More money, more freedom, more impact. But beyond that, there’s a deep sense of alignment. When your work and your values line up, everything shifts. The days feel fuller. The challenges feel worthwhile. And the quiet moments—sitting in the yard with a snoring rescue dog at your feet—feel sacred.
So if you’ve been carrying a passion quietly, maybe this is your nudge. Start small. Share it. See where it takes you. Because sometimes, the thing that saves you is the same thing you end up using to save others. And in that loop of giving and receiving, you just might find exactly what you’ve been looking for.
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What passion have you been hesitant to pursue? Sometimes the smallest step opens the biggest door.
