Help Us Rebuild After House Fire & Honor the Pets We Lost

Yesterday was one of those days you never think will happen to you—until it does.

At around 11:30 AM, Karter and I had just returned home from our usual family Sunday breakfast. I had him in my arms as we walked through the door, only to be met with thick, suffocating smoke. I couldn’t see even a foot in front of me. I quickly rushed him back to the car for safety and tried to re-enter the house with a wet shirt over my mouth and nose, desperate to reach our beloved pets inside. But the smoke was just too overwhelming. I tried every possible way to get in—through doors, windows—nothing worked.

So I sat in the yard, holding Karter tightly in my lap, praying. I prayed that God would keep us safe, that the fire wouldn’t take more than it already had, and that help would arrive soon. Just as I finished my prayer, Karter looked at me and said, “Mommy, fire trucks,” as the sound of sirens grew louder. In that moment, I knew—we were going to be okay.

I am beyond grateful that Braden, Karter, and I are safe with no injuries. But our hearts are shattered by the loss of three members of our family: **Cedar**, **Delta**, and **Lilo**.

* **Cedar** was our first Border Collie—the dog Braden gifted me for my birthday when we first started our life together. She helped build the foundation of our working dog company. She loved everyone, but no one more than her boy, Karter. She taught him to stand and even helped him take his first steps. She was one of a kind and is truly irreplaceable.

* **Delta** was our newest addition, a 9-week-old bird dog Braden was so excited to train. From the second he saw her photo, he knew she was coming home with us. Every night, he worked on training her, preparing for fall hunts. Though her time with us was short, she filled our hearts immediately.

* **Lilo** wasn’t just a cat. She was my comfort through postpartum depression. She followed me around the house like a dog, played endlessly with Cedar, and never left my side. Every morning she’d “make biscuits” beside me. She meant the world to me.

Wherever we end up next, it just won’t feel the same without them.

We’re overwhelmed with gratitude for the firefighters, my mom, Reagan, Kari, Colt, and everyone else who rushed to help. To those who have already donated, brought gifts, or sent love—thank you. We feel it deeply.

As we begin the long road of recovery—finding a new place to live, replacing what was lost, and trying to rebuild some sense of normal—we humbly ask for your support. Every donation, no matter the amount, helps us take the next step forward.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of our village.

— Braden, Kennady and Karter