05/26/2026
Most of you in Battery Park City know Jon, Evelyn, and of course Carlo Luigi. 🤍
I met Jon & Evelyn over 10 years ago when their beloved Diego first started boarding with me. Back then, it was Diego… then came Carlo Luigi, another beautiful soul added to their furry family. Over the years, what started as a client relationship became something so much deeper. Jon & Evelyn are the kind of people who genuinely love animals with their whole hearts. Not just dogs — all living creatures. Their kindness, compassion, and appreciation for life is something you feel immediately when you’re around them. But the reason I wanted to write this goes beyond dogs.
During my divorce, while I was trying my hardest to keep everything together quietly and privately, a handful of my clients could tell something was wrong. Anyone who knows me knows I rarely talk about my personal life. I never want to burden people. But Jon & Evelyn wouldn’t let me hide completely. They checked in constantly. They listened. They gave advice. They cared. And what meant the most was that they didn’t just support me emotionally — they truly tried to help guide me professionally and financially too. I’ve always been confident in caring for animals and building relationships with pet parents. That part comes naturally to me. But the business and financial side of life has always been much harder for me, it’s not my world and honestly, that became painfully obvious during my divorce. Jon & Evelyn took the time to sit with me, talk to me, encourage me, and help me think differently. I’ll never forget that. And they weren’t the only clients who showed up for me during that chapter — there were several incredible pet parents who shared their own stories and reminded me I wasn’t alone. I carry all of those conversations with me.
Last week, I went to say goodbye to Jon, Evelyn, and Carlo as they made the difficult decision to leave New York and head back home to Texas. I actually went twice because I just couldn’t process it the first time. Knowing they’re no longer here in the neighborhood honestly breaks my heart a little.
People always say this business is about dogs — but the truth is, it’s about people too. The relationships, the trust, the years together, the life moments shared along the way. Some clients become family without you even realizing it happened.
So while saying goodbye to them has been emotional, it’s also reminded me of something important.
This summer, I’m slowing down a little. I want to focus on making things smaller, more personal, and more intentional again. More private boarding at my home in Point Pleasant Beach. More beach days. More one-on-one time with the dogs. Fewer moving parts. More peace. More connection. Just me being fully present with the pups and the people who trust me with them.
To everyone who has supported me, trusted me, checked in on me, or simply stood beside me over the years — thank you. You have no idea how much it has meant to me.
And to Jon, Evelyn & Carlo Luigi… thank you for touching my life in such a special way. Texas is lucky to have you. 🤍🐾
