SpotOn Thankful Tails: Stories of Gratitude

Dogs are more than pets—they’re family, companions, and sometimes even heroes.

In celebration of the unique bond between humans and their dogs, "Thankful Tails" is a SpotOn series where we share stories of gratitude from dog owners. These heartfelt narratives remind us of the countless ways our dogs enrich our lives.

Thankful Tails

Neska

A Steady Companion Through Loss

Neska and her dad's boot

For one owner, 2023 brought immense challenges, including the sudden loss of her husband after nearly 56 years of marriage. In the midst of grief, Neska, her Northern breed Malamute, became her unwavering source of comfort and purpose.

“She is always by my side with her warm, steady love and support,” her owner shared. “She makes me get up every morning and move through the day. She comforts me when I cry and dries my tears.” Neska’s presence provided the strength to face each day, a testament to the healing power of dogs.

As a Malamute, Neska thrives outdoors. Living on 50 acres, her owner expressed gratitude for being able to let Neska roam safely when they’re not outside together. “Not being tied or kenneled all the time when we are not outside together is wonderful for both of us,” she explained.

One poignant moment encapsulated their shared grief and love. 

“In the picture, Neska had found one of my husband’s boots and took it into the backyard and just laid with it. She misses him too."

Through shared memories and mutual support, Neska has become a constant reminder of love and resilience.

Nellie

A Life-Saving Companion

Nellie and owner

One night, Nellie, a loyal and attentive dog, saved her owner’s husband’s life. The situation unfolded unexpectedly. “My 65-year-old, healthy husband, got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. His ever-faithful Nellie follows him everywhere,” her owner recounted.

While in the bathroom, her husband suffered a massive heart attack. The household was silent, but Nellie knew something was wrong. Her owner explained: 

“Nellie came to me, woke me up, and alerted me something was wrong!!”

Following Nellie’s lead, she discovered her husband on the bathroom floor and immediately called 911.

The next week was critical. “My husband had to be resuscitated 3 times over the next week, including once on the operating table,” she shared. Thanks to Nellie’s quick action, her husband survived. “Thanks to Nellie he is still with us 3 months later!”The gratitude in her words is clear: “God bless our best, 4-legged friends.” Nellie’s instincts and unwavering devotion transformed a life-threatening moment into one of survival and hope.

Akela and Hailey

A Testament to Patience

Akela (1st generation collar)
Akela (2nd generation collar)

One dog owner’s journey with containment systems highlights the evolution of technology and customer service. As a long-time user of various solutions like Petsafe and Halo collars, he was searching for a reliable and innovative product. His journey led him to SpotOn, a significant investment but one that ultimately proved its worth.

“The first generation collars were pricier than the first generation Halos, but they had much better and more consistent GPS signals."

However, the experience wasn’t without early challenges. A major hurdle arose when cellular providers phased out 3G connectivity. “Now my fairly recently purchased (and still under warranty) two very expensive collars were losing half of the functionality for which I purchased them,” he explained. However, what could have been a source of lasting frustration turned into an example of exemplary customer service.

"I decided to reach out to SpotOn to see what they could do for me. Their response? How about we send you two 2nd generation collars free of charge. The absolute pinnacle of customer service and standing behind their product!"

The second-generation collars brought a host of improvements, including significant upgrades to battery performance. “They even found a creative way to increase the battery life just recently with ‘Extended Battery Mode,’ which is working excellently thus far by increasing the battery life from somewhere around 10-12 hours to 20+ (haven’t tested until dead yet!) hours,” he shared.

Beyond the technical upgrades, SpotOn’s commitment to its customers shone through. “I sent feedback via an email, and before I knew it, I was invited to a virtual video call and share my feedback. Wouldn’t you know it? Over the next 1+ years, they implemented all of the features that I requested and improved the performance of the collars.”

While Hailey, one of his beloved dogs, has since passed, Akela continues to benefit from the advancements that SpotOn delivered. “It’s becoming tougher and tougher these days to ‘get what you pay for,’” he reflected. “I never thought paying over $2000 (two collars) would actually be worth it… but neither of us have any buyer's remorse.”

This story highlights the commitment of SpotOn to adapt and improve based on customer feedback, ensuring their product meets the real-world needs of dog owners.

Zoé and Cloé

A Journey of Healing

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Cloe

Two years ago, Linda and André from Québec, Canada, had to say goodbye to their beloved dog, Zoé, after 11 cherished years. The loss was profound, but a trip to a Humane Society in Florida brought an unexpected new chapter. Among several dogs they met, one timid and frail pup stood out.

“At one point she came up to me and placed her face between my arm and side and stayed there. It’s at that point my heart melted, and I knew she was the one."

On their way back to Canada, they discovered an extraordinary connection: their new dog’s mother was named Zoé, just like their late companion. “What were the odds?” Linda wondered. They named her Cloé, honoring both Zoé and Linda’s late brother Claude.

Cloé quickly became a cherished part of their lives, traveling 1,385 miles to her new home in Canada. Today, she enjoys snowy adventures and trips back to Florida. “She was the best little Cloé one can ask for,” Linda shared.

Cloé’s freedom and safety are protected by the SpotOn GPS Dog Fence. 

“The SpotOn collar is working marvelously, keeping our Cloé safe within the perimeter we have defined for her here in Canada”

They look forward to using it on their next trip to Florida, giving Cloé the same freedom to explore. 

“We wish everyone could live a beautiful experience like ours.”

Cloé’s story shows how love and unexpected connections can bring new joy and companionship into our lives.

Every dog has a story, and we want to hear yours!

Follow us on social media to share your own tales of gratitude and connection—and to see more inspiring stories from dog lovers like you. Tag us at @SpotOnFence and use hashtag #ThankfulTails