To our friends,

If you are reading this, then at some point you trusted Terri and me with something very important:
your dog.

For that, and for so much more, we are deeply grateful.

For more than 40 years, The Well Heeled Way and Quail Hollow Kennels have been among the greatest blessings of our lives. What began with a couple of award-winning Golden Retrievers and a fascination with canine behavior grew into a life filled with wonderful people, remarkable dogs, and friendships we never could have imagined.

One of the greatest joys for me was helping people better understand their dogs. I have always believed that the act of walking a dog is a statement of relationship. Dogs want leadership, consistency, and to feel connected. Through The Well Heeled Way, I tried to share an approach that felt simple, natural, and true to a dog’s instincts — because when that understanding clicks, something special happens.

The greatest reward was never the AKC ribbons, titles, years in business, or even the training itself… It was seeing the bond between a person and their dog grow stronger. It was hearing someone say “I love walks again.” It was watching a once-chaotic beast on a leash become peaceful, or seeing a family feel more connected to the companion they love.

OUR HEARTS ARE FULL.

As we enter this next season of life, we have made the decision to close this chapter completely.

We are full of gratitude for the clients who became friends. Full of memories of muddy paws, wagging tails, and all the dogs who came through our doors. Full of appreciation for everyone who supported us, referred their friends, encouraged us, and allowed us to be part of their lives.

We have had the privilege of boarding your dogs, teaching obedience classes, helping you work through challenges, celebrating successes, and watching nervous puppies become calm, attentive companions. We have shared handshakes in the driveway, stories at pickup time, and countless video updates of your furry friends while you were away.

With the number of dog bowls we have collected, you’d think we were in the dog business. The truth is, we were always in the people business.

Dogs simply brought us together.

To those of you who learned with us through The Well Heeled Way, whether in person or online, thank you for trusting us and for allowing us to be a small part of your journey with your dogs.

Tomorrow is no more than a promissory note, and we are looking forward to spending this time together with family, friends, and one another.

Thank you for every kind word, every visit, every story, every handshake and hug, and every dog you entrusted to us.

Dog people are truly the best people…

… And we have truly been blessed.