When Arika and Tim married last fall, their one regret was not having their pup Kona there with them. They made a plan to save their written vows that they didn’t share at their wedding and instead recite them together on their one year anniversary — with Kona by their sides. Everything changed when they got the news that Kona had been diagnosed with cancer. The day they received the news, Arika texted me and 48 hours later I was in California with them in Kona’s favorite place : the beach they’ve been taking her for 8 years. They shared their vows, reflected on this past year, prayed, and cried. Kona dug holes in the sand and smiled and chased waves like she always does. Its one of the most magical, grounding things about dogs — they’re so in the present, even when they have every reason not to be. They soak up every precious second, cancer diagnosis or not. They’re spending their days like this, taking things one day at a time making sure Kona gets her favorite treat (del taco fries), loves, naps, baths, and prayers. There’s no love like the love you can have for an animal, and there’s nothing quite as pure as the unconditional love we so undeservingly receive back. “all I know is if you’ve ever known a love like this, you’re one of the lucky ones.” - @arikajean