Meraki Animal Haven Society

06/07/2026

Currently sitting here manually adding water to the washing machine for another load of dog laundry. 😆🐾

Yesterday put us a little behind, but today brought a huge win. We had an amazing vet out to complete the shelter license exam portion of the process, putting us one step closer to the finish line. I'm incredibly grateful.

I'm grateful for the dogs too.

Ash continues to love his outdoor suite and usually spends his days outside from around 6 AM to 8 PM. While I don't love the part of his suite and puppy yard gate that floods every time it rains, Ash absolutely does. The boy has been doing rain dances, splashing through puddles, and getting so muddy these past few days. Seeing him happy makes scrubbing the patio worth it.

Little Nero has been doing awesome in his daytime outdoor run. He gets his morning zoomies out in the puppy yard and then settles into watching the world go by. Abel has been spending more time on the patio lately too, seemingly content to supervise the haven.

We also had a random bird decide it needed to attend the vet visit today. The garage door stays open most days to catch the southern breeze and keep air moving through the garage with the backyard windows open. Somehow this little bird made its way all the way into the haven and spent a few hours flying around while we worked. 😆

Another project slowly coming together is a small front patio sitting area. Ever since adding the downstairs runs, we've lost some hangout space. I'm using lattice to carve out a little corner where dogs like Koda and Sly can come relax with their humans. They enjoy playgroups, but some dogs are happiest simply hanging out beside their person.

The breeze is cool today. The skies are overcast. The dogs are content. The laundry is endless.

For the first time in a while, it feels like a few puzzle pieces are starting to fall into place.

I'm grateful for the dogs. I'm grateful for the village. And I'm grateful for all of you walking this journey with us. ❤️🐾

06/07/2026

06/07/2026

The rain finally stopped and the haven exhaled.

Cosmo, Sly, and Abel exploded into the yard like they'd been waiting their entire lives for wet grass and fresh mud. Ash stretched out in his suite, content to supervise the world. Nero sat in his little outdoor run like a king overlooking his kingdom.

The puppy yard flooded again.

The pupyard gate flooded again.

The pea gravel budget grew again.

Some things at Meraki are remarkably consistent. 😆

So I sat on the porch for a few minutes.

Music playing.

Trees dancing.

Birds pulling worms from the ground like they'd just discovered treasure.

And traffic rolling by on 106th. Some of it sounding beautiful. Some of it sounding... enthusiastic.

It's funny where your mind goes when it finally gets quiet.

One minute I'm calculating fencing.

The next I'm wondering what this place has done to me.

There was a time when my days looked completely different.

Swinging out back.

Real estate calls.

Investment groups.

Dreaming about what life might become.

Now I'm watching muddy dogs explore puddles while mentally pricing gravel and wondering if Cosmo will leave another dog bed alive long enough to see tomorrow.

Somewhere along the way, the dream changed.

Or maybe it didn't.

Maybe it just grew fur.

And somehow, between the flooded gates, barking dogs, dancing trees, village members, muddy paws, and the endless list of things that still need done, I found myself wondering about deserving.

Not because I have an answer.

Just because Meraki has a way of asking questions I never expected.

The dogs usually do that.

They make me stop long enough to hear them. ❤️🐾

06/06/2026

Happy non-stop muddy paw prints day to me 🐕🐾🌧⛈️🐾🐕🤣

06/05/2026

Somewhere out there is a person who doesn't know they need Meraki in their feed yet. 😆🐾

Maybe they need Kaya's smile.

Maybe they need Ash discovering ponds.

Maybe they need Abel laying in something he absolutely shouldn't be laying in.

Maybe they just need a reminder that good humans still exist.

We're only 8 followers away from 1,800.

Help us find our next village member. ❤️

06/05/2026

My roommates scream out at random hours throughout the night...so grateful this is drastically improving 🤣😁❤️✨️😎🐕

06/05/2026

Quick pit stop for gas before the event... ⛽🐾

Meanwhile, Nova and Kaya were in the backseat acting like they were headed to a celebrity appearance. 😂❤️

Two sweet girls soaking up the adventure and watching the world go by.

Sometimes the best moments aren't the event itself.

Sometimes it's the quiet little moments on the way there with dogs that are simply happy to be included. 🐾✨

06/05/2026

🐾❤️ Just got the dogs out for their bedtime potty and finally calling it a night.

A huge thank you to Emily, Michelle, and Craig for coming out tonight and helping make the event such a success. Thank you as well to all of the wonderful families, kiddos, and supporters who stopped by, played games, visited with the dogs, and shared some smiles with us.

We're incredibly grateful to everyone who donated games, prizes, supplies, and all the little things that came together to make tonight possible. Watching the excitement on the kids' faces and seeing how many people wanted to meet the dogs was truly heartwarming.

Kaya and Nova took turns being my lap dogs throughout the evening and soaked up every bit of attention they could get. They were absolute stars.

Back at the haven, all appears well. The only casualty of the evening seems to be one dog bed that apparently challenged Cosmo to a battle and lost spectacularly. His run looked like a full-blown fluff party when we got home. 😆

Tonight was a beautiful reminder that rescue isn't just about the dogs—it's about the village that surrounds them.

Thank you for your kindness, your support, and for helping us continue this journey. ❤️🐾

06/04/2026

🐾❤️ We could use a little help with our outstanding balance at Catoosa Small Animal Hospital. ❤️🐾

Recent visits included Ash's tail docking and neuter, along with care for Jaxson when he stopped eating and developed a swollen lymph node.

Thankfully, both boys are doing much better, and we're incredibly grateful for the care they've received and for everyone who continues to stand beside the haven.

If you'd like to help us chip away at the balance, donations can be made directly to:

🏥 Catoosa Small Animal Hospital
📞 (918) 266-4090

Or through Meraki:
💚 Venmo: -animal-haven
💚 CashApp: $merakianimalhaven
💚 PayPal: [email protected]

Whether it's a donation, a share, or simply cheering these pups on, thank you for being part of the village that helps make second chances possible. We truly couldn't do this without you. ❤️🐾