11/18/2025
While shopping at Walmart one afternoon, I noticed a woman quietly following me and my dog, Juno. Heโs a ten-year-old GS wearing his service vestโjust a regular grocery trip for us. But she kept her distance, watching us from aisle to aisle. It didnโt feel threatening, just deeply sad.
When we reached the parking lot, she finally came over.
Her voice trembled as she asked, โIโm sorry to bother youโฆ but is his name Juno?โ
Instantly, my guard went up. โHow do you know that?โ I asked.
And then, right there by the shopping carts, she started crying.
โI was his puppy raiser,โ she said through tears. โI took care of him from eight weeks old until eighteen months, then sent him off for guide dog training. That was nine years ago. Iโve thought about him every single day.โ
She showed me photos on her phoneโbaby Juno with the same curious eyes, and a final picture of her holding him, both of them crying the day she had to let him go.
โThey told me he didnโt finish guide dog training,โ she continued, smiling softly through tears. โSaid he was too friendly. I always wondered where he ended up.โ Her gaze fell on his vest. โWhat does he do now?โ
โDiabetic alert,โ I told her. โHeโs saved my life sixteen times.โ
I hadnโt planned to say the number, but it came out naturally.
She covered her mouth, sobbing again. โThat makes sense,โ she said. โEven as a puppy, he knew when something was wrong. Heโd bring me my phone if my medication alarm went off. No one taught himโhe just knew.โ
We talked for twenty minutes. She told me stories only someone who truly loved him could rememberโhow he used to steal socks, run from the vacuum, and sleep upside down with his paws in the air.
Before leaving, she knelt down. Juno walked right over, wagging his tail, and rested his head on her shoulder as if no time had passed at all.
โThank you for keeping him safe,โ she whispered to him. Then she looked at me. โAnd thank you for letting me see that heโs exactly where he was meant to be.โ
Now, I send her a photo of Juno every week.
And yes, he still sleeps on his back with his legs in the air.
For everyone whoโs ever fostered, raised, or loved a dog they couldnโt keepโknow this: they never forget you. You live in their hearts forever. โค๏ธ
(Story and photo credit to the rightful owners)