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Life With Smokey: The Little Dog That Saved Us and the Love That Never Let Go

  • Writer: Sheila Buffy
    Sheila Buffy
  • Nov 13, 2025
  • 3 min read
Smokey’s Story When my husband and I first met Smokey, I had no idea how much one small dog could change a life. We had just returned home from our Florida vacation, and that day we planned to meet his breeder at a PetSmart parking lot. The moment we saw Smokey, our hearts melted. His eyes were gentle, curious, and full of love. We picked him up together, bought everything he needed including his bed, bowls, food, and toys, and brought him home with so much excitement and happiness. We did not dog proof our home when we brought him in. Smokey was a good boy from the very beginning. He never chewed on wires or furniture and never caused trouble. We bought a small gate for our bedrooms to make sure he stayed safe and within sight. He even had his own little bathroom from the start, and he took to it right away. Smokey quickly became more than a pet. He became a part of us, our family, our comfort, and the quiet light that filled our home. My husband Dennis, who lives with PTSD, found peace again through Smokey. This little Shih Tzu knew exactly what to do without being told. When Dennis had bad days, Smokey stayed close. When Dennis could not sleep, Smokey rested near him, calm and steady. He did not need to say anything. His presence was enough. Sometimes I watch Smokey lay his head on Dennis’s lap, eyes half closed, as if saying, “I am here.” And I believe he truly is, not just as a dog, but as a little healer sent to us for a reason. Faith, Healing, and Love I often think about the seasons of our life, the moments when faith carried us through things that seemed impossible. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago, it was one of the hardest things I have ever faced. But even then, I felt God’s hand guiding me. Dennis held my hand through every doctor visit. And Smokey, in his own quiet way, never left my side. After my surgery, he would lie on my chest and breathe softly, like he was guarding my heart while it healed. It is moments like those that remind me that love can show up in the most unexpected forms. Through every hardship, God the Father and His Son Jesus gave me strength. Some nights I would pray quietly, asking for peace and healing, and somehow, the next morning, I would find it in Dennis’s care, in Smokey’s soft paws, in the stillness of our little home. Love is not always loud. Sometimes it is in the quiet acts of loyalty and faith that keep us going. How It All Came Together My journey with Dennis and Smokey led me to write two books titled Smokey: The Little Dog That Saved Us and Love That Never Let Go. Both came straight from my heart. I am not a writer by profession, just someone who wanted to share how faith, love, and one small dog changed our world. Smokey: The Little Dog That Saved Us tells the story of how Smokey brought light back into our home, helping Dennis face PTSD and helping me find peace again. Love That Never Let Go is a more personal story about marriage, trauma, and the unshakable power of faith. Together, these books are my way of saying thank you to God, to Dennis, and to Smokey. When people ask me what these stories are really about, I always say this. They are about hope. No matter what life takes away, love always finds a way to bring it back. Reflection If you have ever loved a dog, you already know how much they can change your heart. Smokey may be small, but his love is bigger than anything I could ever describe. He gave us laughter when we needed it most, comfort when the nights were hard, and a reason to keep believing in second chances. Every page I wrote was a prayer and a promise that even in pain, there is still beauty, and that love never lets go.
Smokey's eyes says it all. He is our healer, our comfort, and our daily reminder that love truly has no limits. Everyday with him feels like sunshine and grace.

Smokey’s Story


When my husband and I first met Smokey, I had no idea how much one small dog could change a life. We had just returned home from our Florida vacation, and that day we planned to meet his breeder at a PetSmart parking lot. The moment we saw Smokey, our hearts melted. His eyes were gentle, curious, and full of love. We picked him up together, bought everything he needed including his bed, bowls, food, and toys, and brought him home with so much excitement and happiness.


We did not dog proof our home when we brought him in. Smokey was a good boy from the very beginning. He never chewed on wires or furniture and never caused trouble. We bought a small gate for our bedrooms to make sure he stayed safe and within sight. He even had his own little bathroom from the start, and he took to it right away.


Smokey quickly became more than a pet. He became a part of us, our family, our comfort, and the quiet light that filled our home. My husband Dennis, who lives with PTSD, found peace again through Smokey. This little Shih Tzu knew exactly what to do without being told. When Dennis had bad days, Smokey stayed close. When Dennis could not sleep, Smokey rested near him, calm and steady. He did not need to say anything. His presence was enough.


Sometimes I watch Smokey lay his head on Dennis’s lap, eyes half closed, as if saying, “I am here.” And I believe he truly is, not just as a dog, but as a little healer sent to us for a reason.


Faith, Healing, and Love


I often think about the seasons of our life, the moments when faith carried us through things that seemed impossible. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago, it was one of the hardest things I have ever faced. But even then, I felt God’s hand guiding me.


Dennis held my hand through every doctor visit. And Smokey, in his own quiet way, never left my side. After my surgery, he would lie on my chest and breathe softly, like he was guarding my heart while it healed. It is moments like those that remind me that love can show up in the most unexpected forms.


Through every hardship, God the Father and His Son Jesus gave me strength. Some nights I would pray quietly, asking for peace and healing, and somehow, the next morning, I would find it in Dennis’s care, in Smokey’s soft paws, in the stillness of our little home.


Love is not always loud. Sometimes it is in the quiet acts of loyalty and faith that keep us going.


How It All Came Together


My journey with Dennis and Smokey led me to write two books titled Smokey: The Little Dog That Saved Us and Love That Never Let Go. Both came straight from my heart. I am not a writer by profession, just someone who wanted to share how faith, love, and one small dog changed our world.


Smokey: The Little Dog That Saved Us tells the story of how Smokey brought light back into our home, helping Dennis face PTSD and helping me find peace again. Love That Never Let Go is a more personal story about marriage, trauma, and the unshakable power of faith.


Together, these books are my way of saying thank you to God, to Dennis, and to Smokey.


When people ask me what these stories are really about, I always say this. They are about hope. No matter what life takes away, love always finds a way to bring it back.


Reflection


If you have ever loved a dog, you already know how much they can change your heart.


Smokey may be small, but his love is bigger than anything I could ever describe. He gave us laughter when we needed it most, comfort when the nights were hard, and a reason to keep believing in second chances.


Every page I wrote was a prayer and a promise that even in pain, there is still beauty, and that love never lets go.

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