There’s nothing quite like the bond between a person and their soul dog — that once-in-a-lifetime companion who changes everything. For Jennifer Starr, that dog was a miniature schnauzer named Remington.
For 15 beautiful years, Remington was Starr’s shadow, adventure buddy, and muse. He joined her life in 2009 as a bouncy 3-month-old puppy, quickly stealing her heart.
What began as nervous excitement about first-time pet parenthood turned into an unbreakable bond that would define her adult life.
“He was a perfectly poised model and the reason I continued to pick up my camera and improve my skills every day,” Starr told The Dodo. “Remington was 100 percent my soul dog.”
Remington’s salt-and-pepper coat, expressive white eyebrows, and joyful personality became part of Starr’s every day — until his health began to fail. On May 25, 2024, after years of unconditional love, Remington passed away, leaving a void too deep for words.
“I was absolutely heartbroken,” Starr said. “I didn’t think I’d ever feel close to him again.”
But just two weeks later, she received a sign — one that felt unmistakably like it came from her boy.
While checking on a bird’s nest in her yard, Starr noticed a baby cowbird trapped in the grates of a wagon. Instinctively, she rushed to help.
You can see footage of the baby bird's rescue here:
When she carefully lifted the little bird to safety, she froze.
“He had these bright, bushy eyebrows,” Starr said. “Just like Remington.”
She couldn’t help but laugh through her tears. “My soul dog sent me a baby bird with eyebrows,” she wrote on Instagram.
That tiny bird — complete with Remington’s signature markings — wasn’t the only sign Starr would receive. On the day Remington passed, she and her family had found a heart-shaped rock while hiking.
When she later looked closer at a photo of it, she saw what looked like the profile of a schnauzer etched into the stone.
“It took my breath away,” she said. “I felt like he was telling me he was okay.”
For several days, Starr cared for the little bird until it was strong enough to fly away. Watching him soar into the sky felt like watching Remington’s spirit set free.
Though the bird never returned, reminders of Remington never stopped appearing — especially in the form of Grady, the family’s new miniature schnauzer.
“Grady was born on May 26, 2024 — the day after Remington passed,” Starr said. “He’s healed my heart in ways I wasn’t expecting. Somehow, he feels like Remi — it’s like his spirit lives on in him.”
Now, whenever Starr looks into Grady’s eyes, she sees a familiar spark. Between Grady’s gentle presence, the heart-shaped rock, and the baby bird with those unmistakable eyebrows, she knows Remington is still with her — watching, guiding, and reminding her of their forever bond.
“I look at these signs every day and think of Remington,” she said softly. “I’m so thankful for my boy — he still finds ways to let me know he’s here.”
