Valentine’s Day is about love — the kind that finds you when you least expect it.
“Candy is her name!” said the shelter volunteer.
Big brown eyes stared back at me. A tiny brown puppy cowered in the back corner of the kennel, her tail tucked tightly between her legs. She looked so small… and so unsure of the world.
“Is she house trained?” I asked.
“Mostly,” the volunteer smiled. “One of the pups keeps peeing inside when it snows — not sure which one. Offer her a treat and she’ll come to you.”
I knelt down and held out a small treat. Her little legs trembled as she stepped forward, sniffing cautiously. Fear and hope seemed to battle inside her tiny body.
Then something shifted.
She inched closer.
And closer.
Until she nestled into the crook of my arm.
I felt her relax.
In that moment, I knew.
Love doesn’t always arrive boldly.
Sometimes it comes quietly… shaking… and needing reassurance.
Candy didn’t just become part of my family. She became the inspiration behind Two Tails Are Better Than One. Her gentle spirit, her need for safety, her growing confidence — all of it helped shape the heart of that story.
That little puppy taught me about trust, patience, responsibility, and unconditional love — the very Social Emotional Learning lessons woven throughout the book.
This Valentine’s Day, I’m celebrating Puppy Love — the kind that changes you forever.
And I’m so excited to share that Two Tails Are Better Than One will be re-launched on Amazon on National Puppy Day, March 23rd.
Because sometimes, the smallest tails leave the biggest marks on our hearts.
With love,
Joy Marier