Julie A. Newbury

Spice the rescue dog lying on a white blanket in a Santa costume with candy-cane stockings, looking relaxed and festive.

Surviving the Season ‘Spice Style’

The holidays can feel heavy, especially when joy is expected and your heart feels tired. Inspired by my rescue dog, Spice, this guide shares gentle, actionable lessons for surviving the season: honoring your feelings, protecting your space, choosing comfort, and letting yourself receive love. Sometimes, just getting through the day is enough — and that is more than enough.

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Healing and Loss, Holiday Reflection, Mindset and Motivation, , , , , , , , , , ,
Spice chewing bone with determination

How to Stay Unstoppable When Life Gets Hard — Lessons From a Determined Dog

Discover the secret to chasing your dreams with the fearless, no-shortcuts determination of dogs. Learn how to lock in on what you want, act boldly, stay committed, and savor every win. Turn your goals into reality with dogged determination—because humans often hesitate, but dogs don’t “do easy”.

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Daily Inspiration and Joy, Mindset and Motivation, , , , , , ,
Dog hiding face with paws, teaching lesson about facing fears without shame

The Shadow Trick: How to Grow Without Hiding From Yourself

Most of us hide the parts of ourselves we don’t want to see — fear, doubt, or uncertainty. But what if those hidden pieces are actually trying to guide your growth? Inspired by my rescue dog, Spice, this post explores how facing your shadow self with courage and compassion can unlock true personal growth, emotional healing, and inner peace.

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Healing and Loss, Personal Growth, Self Acceptance, , , , , , , , ,
Spice standing proudly in the firepit garden bed, symbolizing growth, rebirth, and our shared joy in creating a garden together.

From Firepit to Flowerbed: Lessons We Dug Up About Growth, Love, and Legacy

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gardening, Life Lessons, Love and Relationships, , , , , , , ,
Spice, 79-pound rescue dog, sitting in a tiny dog bed, looking oversized and proud.

When We Outgrow Life: Lessons in Love, Growth, and Letting Go

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Life Lessons, Self Acceptance, , , , , , , ,

The Many Layers of Spice — and the Lessons She Left Us

Every winter, Spice and I bundled up in scarves, coats, and leg warmers. Beneath the layers of clothing — and the layers of life — I discovered lessons of love, patience, courage, and the quiet magic of truly seeing someone’s heart. This is the story of the many layers of Spice… and of us.

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Daily Inspiration and Joy, Dog Wisdom, Healing and Loss, Life Lessons, , , , , , ,

Sticks and Stones May Break Our Bones… But Love Always Fetches Us Home

We’ve all heard the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
But Spice taught me a gentler truth: some sticks are for fetching, not fighting — and love is the only thing worth chasing again and again. In this reflection, I share the lessons my rescue dog left behind about healing, forgiveness, and finding joy in the simplest throws of life.

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Daily Inspiration and Joy, Dog Wisdom, Healing and Loss, Self Acceptance, , , , , , ,

The Power of Paws and Pause: How Spice Taught Me the Art of Observance

When my dog Spice paused to notice the world, she taught me something powerful — observance isn’t passive, it’s love in motion. This story reflects the beauty of slowing down, connecting deeply, and learning through love.

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Daily Inspiration and Joy, Life Lessons, , , , ,

Pushing Through Pain to Find Purpose: A Lesson From Spice

Facing pain takes authenticity and courage. When I finally allowed myself to be vulnerable, I began to heal — guided by the love and lessons of my rescue dog, Spice. Her story reminds us that even in heartbreak, there is purpose waiting to be found.

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Healing and Loss, Self Acceptance, , , , , , ,
long car rides solve everything

Long Car Rides Solve Everything

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Life Lessons, Love and Relationships, , , , ,