Puppy Love
By Magi Thomley Williams / Photos by Kate Treick Photography
For Stephanie Harrington, Kelly MacLeod and Melanie Kirk, their dogs are far more than companions — they are confidants, comfort and constants through life’s most demanding moments. Whether navigating the fast pace of a real estate career, finding solace after profound loss or weathering the uncertainty of military deployments, these three women have discovered that the steadiest form of love often comes on four paws. Their stories remind us that in a world of constant change, the bond between a woman and her dog offers something irreplaceable: unconditional presence, unwavering loyalty and the simple gift of being understood without words.
There is a unique kind of magic that enters a home on four paws. It’s a quiet comfort that settles in the soul, a wagging tail that greets the morning and a loyal presence that makes the hardest days feel manageable. For these local women, their dogs are far more than just pets, they are the very center of their busy worlds.
Stephanie and Murphy, a dynamic duo
For Stephanie Harrington, managing broker and licensed partner at Engel & Völkers Pensacola, life is full of business meetings and bustling energy. It’s only fitting that her newest addition, a 13-week-old goldendoodle named Murphy, matches her pace. “Murphy can go from zero to 90 in less than three seconds,” Harrington laughed, noting the mirror to her own spirited personality.
Found through a trusted breeder in Oklahoma, Murphy has become a fixture at the office, navigating elevators and city streets with ease. “Murphy grounds me when everything else feels demanding. He offers unconditional love, reads me without words and provides a steady reassurance that’s difficult to articulate. He is a quiet support system and a daily reminder that slowing down and allowing yourself to be cared for is not only acceptable, but necessary,” Harrington said.
While Murphy is the high-energy newcomer, he shares his home with Guinness, a 9-year-old black goldendoodle. Though Guinness is the “ruler of the land” and prefers watching the bike path to puppy play, a sweet bond is forming. For Harrington, the presence of her dogs is essential to her daily rhythm. “I just love having them around and with me at all times,” Harrington said. “Murphy is a perfect fit for our family. In the way he celebrates the ordinary moments with me — the routines, the quiet pauses, the simple togetherness — he reminds me that those are often the moments that matter most.”
Kelly and a lifeline named Finn
For Kelly MacLeod, the arrival of Finn, a blond-and-white rescue pup, was a moment of pure serendipity. After losing two long-lived Jack Russell terriers, MacLeod found herself searching for a committed companion she could call “hers.” When she saw Finn’s face on a rescue page, she knew. “The most precious little face in the world popped up... he spoke to me,” MacLeod recalled.
Finn, named after the happy-go-lucky and playful Huckleberry Finn, became much more than a pet during a season of profound grief. Following the loss of her husband, Michael, Finn became her constant travel partner and emotional anchor. Together, they have trekked through Nantucket, Cape Cod and Boston, even flying to Canada multiple times. MacLeod emphasizes the importance of professional training for puppies traveling with their owners. Finn is protective and loves to play with other dogs, but his attitude is “don’t mess with mama,” so bustling airports can sometimes be a challenge.
“When Michael died, I wouldn’t have made it through without him,” MacLeod said softly. Every night, the duo shares a playful routine of “chase the hand” and “zoomies” on the bed. “He helps me to go to bed every night laughing,” MacLeod adds. “He’s my buddy.”
her emotional anchor following the loss of her husband, Michael.
Melanie and constants through uncertainty — Goose and Echo
Josh Kirk with Goose, a rock and best friend.
Melanie Kirk’s life with her Australian shepherds, Goose and Echo, is evidence of the stability dogs provide in the face of change. When Kirk moved to South Dakota to support her husband Josh’s career as a B-1 pilot, Goose, a mini Australian shepherd was the “rock” she leaned on during long, lonely deployments, finding him to be one of the most grounding parts of her life.
When Josh was deployed with little notice and Melanie didn’t know where he would be going or for how long, she turned to Goose for support. “Goose was the dog I never knew I needed,” Kirk said. “On certain occasions, I would find out [Josh] was leaving just a couple days before; Goose was my rock on a lot of those really hard nights.” With no family nearby, Goose became one of her best friends.
Now in Florida, the Kirks have added Echo, a 14-week-old standard Australian shepherd, to the family. They are intentionally raising her to be a gentle companion for their future children. For Melanie, these dogs represent the “two of everything” dream she and Josh have shared since high school. “We just saw her and knew that she was meant to be part of the family,” Kirk said of Echo. Whether providing comfort during a deployment or preparing for a growing family, these dogs are the steady heartbeat of the Kirk home.
