10/19/2026
🐾 They were never “just a dog.” They were family. They were partners. They were heroes. ❤️
And when we lose them, the grief is real.
With the recent losses of working dogs across our law enforcement and first responder communities, this message feels especially important.
Whether it’s the K9 who stood beside you on the job, the dog who waited for you at home after a difficult shift, or the companion who helped you through life’s toughest moments, that bond is something special.
And losing them can leave a silence that’s hard to explain.
You don’t have to navigate that grief alone.
❤️ WHEN LOVE BECOMES GRIEF is a FREE workshop offering a compassionate space to share memories, understand grief, and connect with others who understand that losing an animal means losing a piece of your heart.
📅 Sunday, November 1, 2026
🕑 2:00 PM
📍 Underground Cookie Club
5422 Division Ave. S., Kentwood, Michigan
Facilitated by Zachary Henderson, LMSW, this workshop is about honoring the love, acknowledging the loss, and finding gentle ways forward.
🐾 BUT HERE’S SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO KNOW…
While this event is taking place in Michigan, you don’t have to live in Michigan to have a conversation or find someone who understands.
Especially with the recent losses of working K9s, we want handlers, officers, first responders, and families across the country to know that grief doesn’t recognize state lines. And neither should compassion.
That’s what makes The First Call After so special. ❤️
Sometimes, you don’t need someone to fix anything. You just need someone willing to listen. Someone who understands the bond, respects the loss, and recognizes that grieving a working dog is about much more than losing an animal.
It’s losing a partner, a protector, a family member, and a friend.
📞 616-970-9740
📧 [email protected]
If you’re in West Michigan, consider attending this free workshop. Scan the QR code on the flyer to reserve your spot.
If you’re somewhere else in the country and struggling with the loss of a beloved pet or working dog, don’t let geography stop you from reaching out and starting a conversation.
Because behind every working dog is a human heart. And when that heart breaks, it deserves support, too. 💙🐾
