Lincoln Stories: Holiday Company

Life lessons from the dog I’ll never forget.

It’s been a minute since I’ve written about Lincoln. But that doesn’t mean I stopped thinking about him. Especially this time of year. The holidays have a way of doing that.

As we move through the season, I find myself thinking about him almost every day. Lincoln was the best kind of holiday companion — especially during the years when things were quiet. After my divorce, and after Madison passed, it was just the two of us. And somehow, without ever needing words, he knew exactly how much I needed him.

Lincoln and I became inseparable. If I was home, he was right there. If I was sitting, he was nearby. If I was feeling a little heavier than usual, he felt it too. The house never felt empty with him around, even when technically it was.

And yes — I absolutely put a little Santa hat on his head more than once. He never looked thrilled about it. Not even a little. 😂 But he also never tried to take it off, even though he definitely could have. I didn’t torture him for long — just long enough to get the picture. He was a good sport like that. Patient. Loyal. Always game for whatever made me smile.

My life is full of love now. My holidays aren’t lonely anymore. And I’m deeply grateful for that. But there’s a space in my heart that will always belong to Lincoln. That part is his. Forever.

Life lessons from the dog I’ll never forget.

Lincoln Stories: The Day Lincoln Got Locked Out

Life lessons from the dog I’ll never forget.

It still makes me laugh a little — and cringe — when I think about the day Lincoln accidentally got locked out of the house.

It started when Madison came running up to me, barking and spinning in circles like she was trying to tell me something. Then she ran straight to the front door. I thought, Okay, maybe there’s someone outside. So I looked through the peephole… nothing. I shrugged and walked away.

But Madison wasn’t having it. She darted back to me, barked again, and ran right back to the front door — this time even more insistent. She would not leave it alone. So I finally gave in, opened the door, and there he was.

Lincoln. Sitting outside, trembling, looking terrified and confused. My heart dropped.

I gasped his name — “Lincoln!” — and he came running in, tail wagging like crazy. He ran straight to me, then to Madison, like he was saying, “Thank you, thank you!”

It took me a few minutes to piece it together. Earlier, I had stepped outside to grab something from my car. The door must’ve stayed open just long enough for Lincoln to slip out without me noticing. When I came back inside, I didn’t even think to check if he’d followed me. Poor little guy had been sitting out there silently the whole time.

And somehow, Madison knew. She didn’t bark at him or make a sound herself — she just knew her buddy was missing and came to get me.

That day, I learned two things:
1️⃣ Always check who’s following you inside (especially the four-legged ones).
2️⃣ Madison might have been small, but she was a little hero with a big heart.

Lincoln may have been scared that day, but thanks to Madison, he was never alone.

Life lessons from the dog I’ll never forget.

Lincoln Stories: The Day Lincoln Came Home

Life lessons from the dog I’ll never forget.

When I first brought Lincoln home, he didn’t actually come home right away. My fiancé and I were visiting my mom at the time, so that’s where his first big adventure began — and it’s also where he met Madison.

Madison, my Cairn Terrier, was only two then. She was a little ball of energy and attitude, always ready to play. So when Lincoln trotted into the room — all tiny paws and curiosity — she was thrilled. I don’t think she realized he’d be sticking around permanently. But Lincoln? Oh, he was instantly smitten.

Fast forward a few days, and it became clear that Madison wasn’t the jealous type. She didn’t care about sharing her toys or losing attention. What she did mind was this little guy constantly wanting her time. She was independent. He was clingy. It was the beginning of a beautiful, slightly one-sided friendship.

But then something changed. Madison had this big stuffed horse — about her size when she was a puppy. She never really played with it, but one day Lincoln picked it up by the neck and claimed it as his own. It was hilarious because the toy was basically the same size as him. He’d try to run with it, trip over it, wrestle it — but he never let it go.

As the years passed, that horse stayed his favorite. Fifteen years later, it was still by his side. He never tore it up, though it did get a few holes and some missing stuffing. And even though I’m no expert with a needle and thread, I broke out a sewing kit more than once to patch it back together.

I still have that toy. It’s a little worn, a little lopsided — kind of like love after it’s been through a lifetime. When I look at it, I see everything Lincoln was: loyal, determined, and full of heart.

Oh, and for the record — Madison eventually came around. She learned to love Lincoln too. They became the best of friends.

Life lessons from the dog I’ll never forget.

Lincoln Stories:

The Day Lincoln Chose Me

Life lessons from the dog I’ll never forget.

Before Lincoln, I’d already had a lot of dogs in my life. And I loved them all. At the time, Madison — my Cairn Terrier — had been with us for a couple of years. She was smart, funny, and so full of personality. But when my fiancé switched from working at home to an office job, it left her alone most of the day. We could both tell she was lonely, and it broke my heart.

So I decided she needed a playmate. I decided. My fiancé? Not so much. He wasn’t on board, but I still went back to the place where we had gotten Madison. And there they were: a group of miniature schnauzer puppies. All ridiculously cute.

The saleslady handed me one — a little black-and-white guy — and I was hooked. I called my fiancé right away: “I want him.” He said, “Not right now.” Ugh. I was so disappointed, but I put the puppy back and started to walk out.

And that’s when it happened. Because the pen was glass, he followed me all the way to the door. Looking up at me like, “Hey, wait a second. You forgot me. You’re mine and I’m yours.” I walked outside, pulled out my phone, and called my fiancé again. I told him what happened. He gave in, and just like that, Lincoln came home with me.

From that day on, he was my little man. For fifteen years, he proved over and over again that I wasn’t the one who picked him — he picked me.

The Lesson
Sometimes the best things in life don’t happen because we plan them. They happen because love won’t take no for an answer. I thought I was fixing Madison’s loneliness, but Lincoln filled a space in my heart I didn’t even realize was waiting for him.

Closing Wrap-up
That tiny puppy following me to the door wasn’t just cute — it was the start of a love story. One where I got chosen, and it changed everything.

Life lessons from the dog I’ll never forget.

Lincoln Stories: A Distinguished Gentleman and My Forever Friend

Life lessons from the dog I’ll never forget.

Lincoln wasn’t just a dog—he was my dog. A black-and-white miniature schnauzer with the heart of a lion, the mind of a stubborn genius, and the look of a distinguished gentleman after every grooming. From day one, he chose me. And from that day forward, he permanently branded a paw print on my heart.

For fifteen years, Lincoln walked by my side. In that time, I got married, went through a divorce, and eventually found love again. We moved six or seven times, each place becoming home as long as he was there. Together, we said goodbye to Madison—my Cairn Terrier of seventeen years—who he adored with all of his heart. Through every season of change, Lincoln was my steady companion, my confidant, my shadow.

He was more than a bundle of love. He was loyal, intelligent, and wonderfully stubborn. He made me laugh, kept me grounded, and reminded me daily of what truly matters. Now, as I look back on our years together, I realize just how many lessons he left me—lessons on love, resilience, joy, patience, and presence.

This blog is my way of honoring him. Of sharing his stories. Of capturing the wisdom that came from four paws, a wagging tail, and eyes that always knew more than they let on. Lincoln may be gone, but his spirit continues to guide me—and through these stories, I hope he’ll touch your heart too.

Because some dogs come and go. But some—like Lincoln—never really leave.