💛 Messy bun. Lukewarm coffee. Full heart. Welcome to the crew.

Hey, I’m Sarah—and I started DogsBooksLife for women like me: dog lovers, book readers (or audiobook listeners—because let’s be honest, that counts too), homemakers, and mamas learning how to turn the chaos of real life into something meaningful and good.

I worked full-time from the age of 16 until the day I became a mom—just shy of 40. That shift turned everything upside down. Suddenly, I was figuring out who I am outside of job titles and time clocks… all while raising a wild little boy and managing two big, energetic German Shepherds who are fully convinced it’s their job to protect us from the ever-threatening squirrel army.

Most days are a blur of toddler giggles, muddy paw prints, coffee that’s somehow always cold, and moments of “we’re really doing this” mixed with “what on earth are we doing?”

This space is for the beautiful, imperfect in-between—for the women figuring it out, showing up tired but hopeful, and trusting that grace meets us right in the middle of it all. If you’re in it too – you’re absolutely not alone.

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🪴 What You’ll Find Here

DogsBooksLife is where muddy paw prints, half-read books, toddler toys, and an endless to-do list don’t mean you’re failing—they mean you’re living.

Here, you’ll find:

🐾 Dog Life — stories, routines, tips, and plenty of fur

📚 Books & Reading Joy — cozy reads, honest reviews, and “if I finish this, it’s a miracle” stacks

🛠 Home Projects — DIYs, long-haul renovations, and little wins that make a house feel like home

☕ Motherhood & Real Life Reflections — navigating identity shifts, later-in-life motherhood, messy progress, and figuring out how to thrive in the middle of it all

This isn’t a space for perfect. It’s a space for progress, laughter, dog hair, and choosing joy—even when the toddler’s climbing the table and the dog’s barking at the Amazon driver (again).

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🐾 Meet the Crew

This whole adventure started with a girl, a couple of dogs, and a whole lot of dog hair. Over the years, the crew has grown—and every member (past and present) has left their mark on this story. Here’s the crew that keeps life interesting (and the floors never clean).

👶 Cooper – The Littlest Crew Member

This little guy showed up just shy of my 40th birthday and completely reshaped everything I thought life would look like. Our fearless, joyful little boy flipped our world upside down—in the best, hardest, and most beautiful way.

He’s curious, determined, and the sweetest kind of chaos we’ve ever known. Most days are a blur of toddler giggles, snack negotiations, diaper dodging, and moments where we look at each other and wonder how someone so small can have this much energy… and make this much laundry. Whether he’s chasing the dogs, “helping” feed the chickens (using help very loosely), or tossing books all over the floor, he fills this home with joy, curiosity, and just the right amount of wild.

He keeps us on our toes, keeps us laughing, has us praying for nap time, and reminds us every single day that the smallest moments are the biggest blessings… and also, sometimes, the biggest messes.

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🐶 The Four-Legged Crew

🐕 Ruger

Ruger is our goofy, lovable, squirrel-obsessed German Shepherd. He’s the first to sound the alarm if there’s a squirrel on the deck or a leaf falls the wrong way. He’s a classic Velcro dog who always wants to be where we are, but with a side of cool guy energy that keeps him from being overly dramatic about it. Protective when it matters, loyal to the bone, and the everyday joy-bringer who keeps the house lively and safe… mostly from squirrels.

🐕 Indy

Indy (short for Independence) is our intense, loyal, and lightning-fast working-line German Shepherd. Where Ruger is loud about squirrels, Indy is all stealth—silent until she explodes at max speed if something threatens her family or flock (yes, the chickens absolutely count) She’s the fiercest protector but also the most tender with our son. She watches over him constantly, always making sure her smallest human is safe and accounted for. While Ruger greets us with quiet tail wags, Indy greets us like an uncontrollable banshee—yelling, spinning, and practically coming apart with joy. Fierce, focused, and full of heart.

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🕊 The Legacy Crew

Always part of this story. Always part of this home.

🐾 Decker

Our first family dog—the one who started it all. A big-hearted yellow Lab, Decker was the beginning of my dog training journey. He taught me so much about patience, commitment, and how dogs become part of your soul. He’s the reason this life with dogs became such a core part of who I am. His pawprints are on everything that came after.

🐾 Colt

The gentle-hearted chocolate boy with the biggest grin and the kindest eyes. Colt was half Chocolate Lab, half Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and 100% heart. He was the inspiration for the early days of DogsBooksLife—a sweet soul who loved tennis balls, belly rubs, and being right in the middle of whatever we were doing. We miss him every day, but his presence still lives in this space and in my heart.

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🤝 Let’s Stay Connected

I’d love for you to be part of this crew.

👉 Join the Coffee Club – cozy emails with books, dogs, home life, and encouragement
📸 Follow the Crew on Instagram – @dogsbookslife + @dogsbookslife_crew (where the dogs run the show)
📝 Read the Latest on the Blog – life, projects, pups, and plenty of coffee

Or just say hi—I’d love to hear your story, too.

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🐾 Final Thought

“Life with dogs, books, and a million half-finished projects—but grace carries it all.”

Welcome to the crew. I’m so glad you’re here.