For the Love of Sookie

A Legacy of Love

Before Sookie, I thought I knew pit bulls and I definitely wanted nothing to do with one. 

I had heard all the same stereotypes — that they were dangerous, unpredictable, untrustworthy- “not the kind of dog you want.” But the moment I met her, all that changed. 

On the drive home from our first meet and greet, I already knew she was going to be mine. I named her Sookie — after that strong, sassy blonde from "True Blood". What I didn’t know that day was that she would become such a huge piece of my life.

For 13 years, Sookie was my ride or die. She was patient and loyal, hilarious and clever, tender and fiercely loving. She helped me welcome two other bully breed dogs and one very saucy orange cat into our family, always with grace and gentleness. She was the one who taught me that pit bulls are not the sum of their stereotypes — they are family. She was, in every way, a girl’s best friend.

Two years ago, I lost Sookie to cancer. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss her soft eyes, her goofy grin and the quiet comfort of knowing she was always by my side. But even in her absence, she continues to shape my life. She is the reason I found my way to The Love Pit and have been volunteering here for 5 years. She is the reason I advocate for dogs like her — misunderstood, overlooked and waiting for their chance to be someone’s whole world.

This North Texas Giving Day, and in celebration of National Pet Memorial Day, I am honoring Sookie’s memory with a $1,200 Matching Challenge. Every dollar you give will be doubled (up to $1,200) and donations of $50 or more will be tripled.

It’s a day to honor the pets who have left pawprints on our hearts — the ones who shaped us, loved us unconditionally and are never truly gone. My hope is that this campaign becomes more than just Sookie’s story — but a way for all of us who have loved and lost a pet to carry their legacy forward.

I invite you to give in the memory of 4-legged friends who are leave us way too soon — turning our grief into hope and our memories into lives saved.

Thank you,

Lana