How Wunderdog Rescue Brought Oakley Into Our Lives
Sometimes the dogs you are looking for find you when you least expect it.
After losing Zoey and then Zayne, our hearts were still healing. We were not actively searching for another dog, and honestly, we were not sure when we would be ready.
Then I saw Daisy.
My husband has always loved Golden Retrievers. Like many dog lovers, we've spent countless hours watching Goldens on social media, including favorites like Tucker, and dreaming about someday having one of our own.
When Daisy's photo appeared on my screen through Wunderdog Rescue, I could not stop thinking about her.
A few months had passed since Zoey's passing, and something about this sweet Golden Retriever felt right. Before long, we found ourselves opening our hearts once again.
Today, Daisy is known as Oakley.
Wunderdog Rescue, a foster based rescue in the DFW area, made the adoption process feel personal and thoughtful. We met Oakley's foster mom outside her home and had the opportunity to learn about Oakley's personality, routines, and life in foster care.
One thing that immediately stood out was how much Wunderdog values their foster network. Because their dogs live in foster homes, they are able to learn about each dog's personality, habits, and needs before matching them with adopters.
When Nala met Oakley for the first time, she was curious but respectful, giving her space to settle in and get comfortable. It was one of the first moments we could picture them becoming sisters.
And they did.
Since joining our family, Oakley has absolutely thrived.
She now has a mom who works from home, a huge backyard filled with trees and squirrels to supervise, plenty of opportunities for adventure, and more love than she could ever ask for.
She has become exactly what we hoped for and so much more.
Rescue dogs have a way of finding the people who need them just as much as they need a home. Oakley arrived during a season when our family was still carrying grief, and she brought joy, comfort, laughter, and healing with her.
We are incredibly grateful to Wunderdog Rescue for giving us the opportunity to become her family.
If you are considering adoption in the DFW area, we encourage you to follow Wunderdog Rescue and support the incredible work they do for dogs in need.
🐾 Follow Wunderdog Rescue:
https://www.facebook.com/people/Wunderdog-Rescue/61585304984220/
Every foster, volunteer, donor, and adopter helps create another happy ending.
And for us, that happy ending is named Oakley.
We Will Always Be Grateful for Ace's Place All Dog Rescue
When people ask where Nala came from, we always smile before answering.
Nala joined our family through Ace's Place All Dog Rescue in the DFW area, and we truly cannot say enough good things about our experience.
At the time, our family was navigating one of the hardest seasons we had ever faced. Zoey had recently been diagnosed with cancer, and while we knew our hearts still had room for another dog, we were not looking to replace anyone. We simply wanted to open our home to a dog who needed one.
Then we met Peppa. Today, we know her as Nala.
From the moment we met her at a local park, there was something special about her. We spent time talking with her foster mom, learning about her personality and routines, and getting to know the dog behind the adoption profile.
One of the things we appreciated most about Ace's Place was how much they genuinely cared about making the right match for both the dog and the adopter. They offer a seven day adoption trial, giving families the opportunity to ensure the fit is right before finalizing the adoption. That level of support and thoughtfulness immediately stood out to us. Ace's Place focuses heavily on foster based care, behavioral support, medical preparation, and creating successful long term placements for their dogs.
The truth is, we knew almost immediately that Nala was coming home with us.
What stood out most was how prepared she was.
It was obvious that her foster family and the rescue had invested significant time, training, care, and resources into helping her succeed before she was ever introduced to potential adopters. Nala came to us with a strong foundation, making her transition into our family much smoother.
About a month after adopting Nala, and shortly before we unexpectedly lost Zayne, she became an even bigger blessing than we could have imagined. During a season filled with uncertainty, grief, and difficult goodbyes, she brought joy, laughter, and hope into our home.
Today, Nala is our branch collecting, squirrel watching, adventure loving girl, and we cannot imagine our family without her.
Because of organizations like Ace's Place, dogs get a second chance. Sometimes, the people adopting them do too.
If you are considering adoption in the DFW area, we wholeheartedly recommend learning more about Ace's Place All Dog Rescue.
🐾 View available dogs:
https://www.acesplacerescue.org/availabledogs
🐾 Support their rescue efforts:
https://www.acesplacerescue.org/donate
🐾 Follow their journey on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/acesplaceanimalrescue
Rescue work takes an incredible amount of time, money, patience, and heart. Every foster, volunteer, donor, and adopter plays a role in changing a dog's future.
Thank you, Ace's Place, for helping bring our sweet little lumberjack into our lives. We will always be grateful.
Our Favorite Products for Happy, Healthy Dogs
One of the questions we get asked most often is, "What products do you actually use with your dogs?"
After losing Zoey and Zayne, we became much more intentional about our dogs' health, nutrition, enrichment, and everyday care. When Nala and Oakley joined our family, we spent countless hours researching products, reading reviews, talking with our veterinarian, and figuring out what worked best for our dogs and our lifestyle.
The products below are not sponsored recommendations. They are products we personally use, love, and continue to purchase for our own dogs. Some have made mealtime easier. Some have helped support wellness. Some simply make life with dogs a little more fun.
Every dog is different, but we hope sharing a few of our favorites helps you discover something that may benefit your own furry family members.
Disclosure: As an affiliate partner, The Z&Z Project may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products we personally use, trust, and love.
Tucker's Gold CBD
After Zoey was diagnosed with bladder cancer, we were told we might only have a few months left with her.
Along with transitioning to a homemade diet and working closely with our veterinarian, we added Tucker's Gold CBD to her daily routine. While every dog is different and results can vary, we truly believe Tucker's Gold played an important role in supporting Zoey's comfort and quality of life. Instead of the 3 to 4 months we expected, we were blessed with nearly 10 more months with her.
Throughout her journey, she continued enjoying walks, treats, backyard zoomies, and time with her family. For that, we will always be grateful.
Tucker's Gold remains one of our favorite wellness products, and it is something we continue to recommend to fellow dog parents looking to support their dog's overall wellness.
👉 Learn more here: http://www.kingkanine.com/LARA16867
Loving Pets Dolce Bamboo Dog Bowls
When you have multiple dogs, food and water bowls get used constantly. After trying several options over the years, these have become our favorite everyday bowls.
We purchased the Loving Pets Dolce Bamboo Bowls in the large size and currently use both the Coffee Brown and Slate Gray colors. They look great in our home, but what really sold us was how practical they are.
The non slip base helps keep the bowls from sliding all over the floor during mealtime, even with enthusiastic eaters. They are durable enough for daily use, easy to clean, and dishwasher safe, which is a huge win in a busy multi dog household.
Most importantly, they simply make feeding time easier. No chasing bowls across the kitchen, no worrying about constant wear and tear, and no sacrificing style for function.
If you are looking for a sturdy, attractive bowl that holds up to everyday life with dogs, this is one of our favorite finds.
We currently use them with Nala and Oakley and would absolutely buy them again.
👉 Learn more here: https://amzn.to/4gkK0q2
Dr. Harvey's Canine Health
One of the biggest changes we made after losing Zoey was taking a closer look at what we were feeding our dogs.
When Nala was ready to transition off puppy food, we decided to try Dr. Harvey's Canine Health, and it has become a staple in our home ever since. In fact, we love it so much that we have it delivered automatically every month.
What we appreciate most is that it allows us to be more involved in our dogs' nutrition. The base mix contains dehydrated vegetables, grains, and herbs, and we add our own proteins and healthy fats. Throughout the week, we rotate between chicken, turkey, pork, fish, and eggs to provide variety and balance.
Depending on what our girls need, we may also add pumpkin or plain yogurt as part of their meals.
Most importantly, Nala and Oakley absolutely love it. Mealtime is something they genuinely get excited about, and there is nothing better than watching them run to their bowls every day with tails wagging.
We love the flexibility, the quality ingredients, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly what is going into their meals. While every dog is different, Dr. Harvey's has been one of the best nutrition decisions we have made for our family.
👉 Learn more here: https://amzn.to/4xx2dXw
Native Pet Omega Oil
As we became more intentional about our dogs' nutrition, we also started paying closer attention to the supplements we were adding to their meals.
One of our favorites is Native Pet Omega Oil.
We love that it comes with a pump dispenser, which makes portioning simple and consistent. There is no guessing, measuring, or mess. Just a quick pump into the food bowl and mealtime is ready to go.
We typically rotate between Native Pet Omega Oil, coconut oil, and occasionally olive oil to add healthy fats to our dogs' diets. Nala's coat especially seems to love the extra support from olive oil, but Omega Oil remains one of our go to options because it is so easy to use and fits seamlessly into our daily routine.
For us, the biggest benefit is consistency. When something is convenient, we are much more likely to use it every day, and the pump bottle makes that incredibly easy.
If you are looking for a simple way to add omega fatty acids to your dog's diet, this is a product we have enjoyed using and continue to keep on hand.
👉 Learn more here: https://amzn.to/4oAvBII
Rabbitgoo Tactical Dog Harness
If there is one piece of dog gear we consistently recommend, it is a Rabbitgoo harness.
Over the years, all four of our dogs have had Rabbitgoo harnesses, and we have purchased several different styles. They have become one of those products we keep coming back to because they simply work.
Nala currently wears the Rabbitgoo Tactical Harness, and we absolutely love it. One of our favorite features is the metal buckles. They feel sturdy, secure, and give us extra peace of mind during walks, training sessions, and outdoor adventures.
We also love the customizable patches. Nala proudly sports patches that say "Mama Says I'm Special" and "Certified Good Girl," which always make us smile and fit her personality perfectly.
Beyond the fun factor, the harness is comfortable, adjustable, and built to handle an active dog's lifestyle. Whether we're going for neighborhood walks, exploring trails, or working on training, it has held up beautifully.
Finding a harness that feels secure, fits well, and lasts can be surprisingly difficult. Rabbitgoo has been one of the few brands that has consistently checked all those boxes for us.
For dogs who love adventure and for dog parents who value durability and peace of mind, this is an easy recommendation from our family.
👉 Learn more here: https://amzn.to/4vUA3o0
Final Thoughts
There is no single product, food, supplement, toy, or harness that will be perfect for every dog.
What matters most is paying attention to your dog, learning their individual needs, and finding the tools that help them live their happiest and healthiest life.
These are a few of the products that have become staples in our home and have earned the approval of Zoey, Zayne, Nala, and Oakley over the years.
As we continue testing products and discovering new favorites, we'll keep updating our recommendations here at The Z&Z Project.
Have a favorite product you think we should try? We'd love to hear from you. Reach out anytime at hello@thezandzproject.com.