The dog story for a time when America needs more than loyalty from its best friend.

“Craig, you have to write this story,” insisted my friend. “We need stories of healing like this!”

On July 4th, 2022, my Husky, Misty, newly cleared of terminal cancer, was certified as a therapy dog. We were excited to celebrate her new role by marching with her therapy dog team in our hometown parade.

Everything changed when we first arrived in a neighboring town minutes after a mass shooting at their parade. The community was devastated, and I felt overwhelmed by anger and helplessness. Misty, however, sprang into action, serving at numerous healing events in the following weeks. While I stayed in the background, Misty comforted hundreds, maybe thousands, of people affected by the tragedy.

After the last healing event, Misty collapsed. A new, aggressive cancer had ravaged her body, ending her comforting work as quickly as it began. She passed away on a gurney, wrapped in a tropical blanket.

I was devastated, but I couldn’t ignore the message: Misty had a special purpose, and she fought to fulfill it during those few short weeks of healing.

Not being a writer, I initially dismissed my friend’s suggestion to tell Misty’s story. But the urge to share it grew. To my surprise, the story flowed effortlessly, and the editor of Alliance of Therapy Dogs’ magazine graciously worked with me to include it in their next issue.

The overwhelmingly positive response made me realize how important Misty’s story is. Inspired, I shared it with a movie industry veteran. Halfway through reading, she called, eager to turn it into an animated short film. She asked to direct and co-produce Misty the Dog Movie, marking the start of my partnership with Kyle Ann Stokes!

It feels as though Misty is watching over us as we tell her story. Faculty from DePaul University and The Field Museum/School of the Art Institute of Chicago joined us, connecting us with talented animators. Many others who heard Misty’s story have added to the growing support for the project.

Sharing Misty’s healing story through an animated short film is a challenging journey, but it’s one worth taking. We are deeply grateful to everyone joining us along the way.