“I guess we’re starting over — and I couldn’t be happier.”
For Dana and Peter, who had navigated the emotional toll of losing a pet—an often under-acknowledged form of grief—the decision to open their hearts again wasn’t easy.
According to wellness experts, the psychological benefits of pet adoption can mirror those found in chronic illness recovery and emotional trauma management, providing vital mental health balance during difficult times.
From Foster Parents to Forever Family. Friends say the couple had quietly been fostering dogs over the past year, a journey that included careful coordination with local rescues and discussions around pet health insurance coverage, emergency vet visits, and long-term diagnostic care for aging dogs.
But Theo “stole their hearts from day one.”
Like many adopters, the Perinos navigated not just the emotional decision to adopt, but also the financial responsibilities tied to proper pet care—including wellness exams, vaccinations, and even unexpected medical bills, which mirror the burdens often seen in family healthcare planning.
