Healing Faith and the Love of a Little Shih Tzu
Supporting Veteran and Corrections Families through Support Gap.
After my husband Dennis transitioned from the Air Force to a career in the State Prison system,
we found ourselves in the "Support Gap" of PTSD.
Smokey’s story and my memoirs offer hope, faith, and a path to healing for Veteran and Corrections families who feel left behind.
New here? Start with Smokey's story.
Stories of Healing, Faith,
and
Unbreakable Love
Smokey The Little Dog
That Saved Us
Love That Never Let Go
A Journey Through Trauma Faith and Hope
When Smokey first came home, he was just a tiny 8-pound ball of fur. I watched him grow into a sturdy 25-pound protector with a personality that fills every corner of our house. This book is really a celebration of the funny, stubborn, and wonderful quirks that make him who he is.
Whether he’s in the middle of a serious "cheese negotiation" in the kitchen or burrowing into his favorite purple blankie, Smokey brought laughter back to us exactly when things felt the heaviest. He’s our protector, our resident comedian, and a best friend who always knows when you need a wagging tail. If you love dogs with a mind of their own and a heart of gold, you’ll love getting to know the many sides of Smokey.
Life can get very lonely when the military service ends but the trauma follows you home. After Dennis decided to apply at the state prison and started his new career, we found ourselves in what I call the "Support Gap." It’s that difficult, invisible place where traditional resources don't quite fit and the rest of the world doesn't seem to understand the sacrifice.
This memoir is my honest heart on paper. It’s the story of our marriage, our faith, and the quiet strength we had to find to keep going when PTSD tried to pull everything apart. I wrote this for the caregivers and the families who feel like no one sees them. I want you to know that you are not alone, and there really is a path back to hope, one gentle day at a time.
About Smokey
About Smokey: The Heart of Our Home
Smokey is the center of our world. He’s the one who checks every room before bed to make sure we’re safe, the shadow that follows us from room to room, and the intuitive soul who knows exactly when we need a little extra comfort.
When he first came to us, he was a tiny 8-pound ball of fur. Today, he’s a sturdy 25-pound protector with a personality that fills every corner of our house. Whether he is leading a serious cheese negotiation in the kitchen or burrowing into his favorite purple blankie, he brought laughter back to us exactly when things felt the heaviest.
The Stories We Tell
Because Smokey is such a big part of our hearts, I want to be clear that our two books share very different parts of our journey:
Smokey: The Little Dog That Saved Us is entirely his story. It’s a celebration of his joyful spirit and the funny, stubborn quirks that helped us heal. If you want to meet the dog who changed our lives, this is the book for you.
Love That Never Let Go is a separate, personal memoir about our marriage. It focuses on our faith and the Support Gap we faced after Dennis left the Air Force for the state prison system. While Smokey is the hero of our home, he isn't mentioned in this specific story because I wrote this one heart-to-heart for the families walking the difficult path of PTSD.
Smokey’s Stories and Updates
Dedication
This website and my books are dedicated to my husband, who carries the weight of PTSD every single day. It isn’t something that simply goes away; it is something you live with. Some days feel lighter, and some days it feels like it will never leave.
I also dedicate this to the men and women who live with trauma in silence, the veterans, first responders, and correctional officers who know what it means to wake up with anxiety and fight battles no one else can see.
To Smokey, our little Shih Tzu with the healing paws: thank you for being our reminder that life still holds joy. And to God, who gave us the strength to keep going when we had nothing left.
If you are living with PTSD, anxiety, or memories that feel too heavy, this is for you. You are not alone. Healing may not mean forgetting, but with love, faith, and hope, life can still be beautiful.
Living With PTSD
PTSD became part of our lives when my husband, an Air Force veteran who later worked at a state prison, was hurt on the job. Trauma followed us home, bringing anxiety, nightmares, and fear that never seemed to end.
The truth is that PTSD may never fully heal, but that does not mean life is without hope. With faith in God, the love of Jesus, and small everyday joys, there can still be light. Smokey has often been that light for us. His soft snuggles, his playful bark, and his steady love remind us that even when life feels broken, love can carry us through.
Walk with us on this journey. Discover our books and find a piece of our story that helps you tell yours.
Books With Purpose
Stories of Healing, Faith, Family, and the Love That Helped Us Through
Every book I share comes from real moments in our life because those are the stories that matter most. We’ve lived through joys, fears, and unexpected blessings that kept us moving forward even when things felt heavy. These books were written with a simple purpose to bring you comfort, to offer you hope, and to show you that you are never alone in your struggle.
Smokey The Little Dog That Saved Us
This is a heartwarming true story about the tiny Shih Tzu who brought light and laughter back into our home. Smokey lifted our family during our most difficult seasons because he reminded us that joy can return even when life feels difficult. It is a celebration of faith, resilience, and the beautiful bond we share with our pets.
Love That Never Let Go
This memoir is an honest look at marriage and faith as we journeyed toward rediscovering hope after a life-changing incident. It shares how we faced the weight of PTSD together and how the grace of God helped us rebuild our life one day at a time.
Why These Stories Matter
I believe these stories matter because they offer comfort to anyone facing emotional pain. They show the healing power of family and the quiet ways that God works in the hardest seasons of our lives. They are true stories of resilience and second chances.
Our Purpose
Our purpose in writing these books is simple. We want to help hearts feel seen and bring encouragement to those who are hurting. By sharing our journey, we hope yours feels a little lighter because even in the darkest places, God can place a small light to guide you home.
About Me
Hi, I’m Sheila, and this is Life With Smokey.
I write from real life. My stories are shaped by love, faith, quiet resilience, and the moments that stay with us long after they pass. Some chapters are light and full of joy, while others come from seasons that challenged me and taught me what hope and healing really mean.
Through my memoirs and this blog, I share honest reflections from my own journey. My hope is that these words feel like a conversation, a quiet place where you can pause, breathe, and know you are not walking alone.
Thank you for being here. I’m truly grateful our paths crossed.
Join Smokey on the Blog
Smokey has a way of turning ordinary days into stories that stay with you. On the blog you will find moments of laughter, lessons from our little Shih Tzu, and gentle reflections about life and the small comforts that help us heal.
Why Smokey’s Story Matters
Smokey is so much more than a little dog to us. He is comfort and joy and a reminder that love can be simple. His presence has brought peace into our home in the sweetest ways, and he has taught us that hope can return in quiet moments. Smokey’s story shows that healing can begin with the companionship of a little dog who loves without limits.
Fall in Love with Smokey
Smokey The Little Dog That Saved Us is more than a pet story. It is a heartfelt memoir about the special bond between a Shih Tzu and the family who needed him most. Smokey’s gentle spirit will warm your heart and remind you that love can heal in unexpected ways.
Start reading Smokey’s unforgettable story today for $9.99
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