In 2023 359,000 dogs were euthanized in shelters across Canada, each one a unique individual deserving a second chance. Often unnoticed are the few shelter workers arming the front lines of the battle against animal cruelty and neglect. These are the same soldiers who are forced to perform these euthanasias often on dogs they have loved, cared for, and tried desperately to save. Whether these dogs perished due to medical causes or behavioural causes, the endless flow of dogs entering the shelter system is exhausting.

As one individual shelter worker, I found myself staring into the abyss with each passing. I couldn't let these dogs that I had loved, trained, and cared for be forgotten by the world. So I made a book, three actually, where each page was dedicated to a dog that passed during my time working at the shelter (2016-2023). With each page I poured out my feelings, my loss, I collected scraps of bedding and fur, quotes, anything I could just to memorialize them somewhere. So they wouldn't be forgotten once they were gone. I stayed with the dogs whenever possible to help them pass over into the afterlife before creating their memorial page. I was with them from surrender to euthanasia.

In 2024 I decided to share the pages from my books, to show that these dogs were individuals. Despite the challenges they faced, they were deserving of love, comfort, and a peaceful passing. I hope to draw attention to the many dogs across Canada that are being lost to over crowding, disease, behavioural challenges, and lack of resources in the shelter system. 

I give you, 'The Dogs We Lost' by Blaze Fullbrook