Perfect Mix w/ Julie Watson-Daly

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Navigating Life After Divorce With The Help Of A Dog

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About The Episode

After getting a divorce, Julie-Watson Daly was figuring out her next steps in life. She got a sign on social media, when she was scrolling through Facebook and saw a picture of a dog who was about to be put down. She couldn’t let that happen, so she rescued him and half an hour later he was on her doorstep. That dog was Bailey, a pit mix, who Julie thinks came into her life to help her through that divorce aftermath.

Bailey brought in unconditional love and constant companionship while Julie worked from home. She was also living next door to a neighbor who had a dog, too. It was a walkup and they were the two on the top floor, so they would block off the stairs and the two dogs would just go in between apartments. The dogs had a great friendship, which translated into the humans. Julie still has friendship with that neighbor to this day, even after they moved away. When Bailey passed away from cancer, that neighbor was right there with her.

After Bailey, Julie saw a post of someone she knew who was fostering through One Love Animal rescue in New Jersey. In the post was a dog who caught her eye. Julie got in contact with the foster and then fell in love with the dog at first sight and connection upon going to visit. That dog was Kahula.

Kahula was also pit mix, who had an adorable underbite and always looked like she was always smiling. While out on walks, they would go on a route past a school bus stop. People usually are afraid of pit bulls, but a little girl and her mom loved Kahula. The girl and Kahula developed a friendship and a routine went into place. They would always go to the bus stop together and Kahula would see her off, making sure she boarded the bus safely. Julie developed a friendship with the mom, too, who informed her there was some bullying issues that the girl was facing but that the dog friendship helped her and that this tough pit bull companionship also helped to protect her.

Kahula had more energy, leading Julie to believe she was a younger dog, but about a year in, her health started taking a turn for the worse. When Kahula got congestive heart failure, she couldn’t go to bus anymore. But girl would still come visit and their friendship remained strong until Kahula passed.

Each dog taught Julie about herself. Whether that be her value as a person, or that she’s worth loving - it just made an overall important impact on her attitude, perspective, and confidence. She even got involved with the One Love Animal Organization - doing home checks, social media, and more. Now, Julie has a young dog named Skyy (keeping with the alcohol naming tradition). Julie is also a writer, who published a book of poems (titled “On Purpose”) recently. Before it released, Kahula passed and Julie was able to fit in a beautiful tribute to her in the book.

About The Guest - Julie-Watson Daly

Julie Watson-Daly was going through a tough divorce and was figuring out her next steps. But with the help of different rescue dogs coming into her life, she's been able to keep making her way through this new stage of her life and finding happiness again. Additionally, she's gotten involved with the One Love Animal Rescue organization in New Jersey as a result, where she's found fulfillment and a purpose from as well.

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