A great week with Alex & Linley

August 23, 2026August 23, 2026 / Cate Tracey / Leave a comment

I’m wide awake at 2:45am (which is highly unlikely me) because I’m so sad the fun of this week is over. I wish my mind didn’t think like that, but sometimes I long for the moments that just passed.

I know tomorrow (well, technically today) I’ll be in a better mood during my walks with Linley and throughout my conversations with Alex, but for now, I’m hearing them snore next to me, anxiously awaiting our next adventure.

East Palisades Dog Beach

We live about 20 minutes away from a bamboo forest trail that begins with a lovely dog beach! While I miss the Great Lakes very much, this kind of dog beach on the river is something Linley and I never experienced before coming here. Alex and I had so much fun encouraging Linley to explore, especially while jumping up on the rocks!

Wet Nose Wednesday

Our local Gwinnett Stripers baseball team hosted another Wet Nose Wednesday where pups are allowed at the games. They’re super fun and feature foster dogs as well, and any organization that supports rescuing is a winner in my book! We had so much fun and we can’t wait to go back next month. This was Alex’s and Linley’s fourth game today, and was my third.

Floating in Helen, Georgia

Yesterday (still feels like today to me because I’m up late 😅), I enjoyed one of the best days of my summer yet. Alex, Linley, two of our best friends and I floated in Helen, Georgia. We laughed, we had to navigate rapids and crowds, and Linley received tons of attention per usual. It was the perfect day with people I love. We then stopped for lunch nearby with the kindest server, Jordan, and enjoyed some mountain views at a local winery. This day was so perfect that I didn’t want it to end!

While I’m sad this week is over, I know we’ll have several fun memories to come this summer, too! And I’m going to cherish the days we already had together this week. 😌

Media taken Saturday, August 25, Wednesday, August 19 & Saturday, August 22, 2026.

My Parents Visited

August 21, 2026 / Cate Tracey / 1 Comment

A couple weekends ago, my parents flew down from Michigan to visit Alex, Linley and me. While it was a short trip, it was a lovely weekend and we were all sad it flew by so fast.

I often share how challenging my family dynamic can be – and it still is – but having a good foundation with my parents means so much to me. Even though I may not be close with other family members at the moment, it’s nice to have them at a phone call or quick flight away.

Telling Linley that we were going to the airport

Picking up “Grams and Gramps” from the airport

Caught in a rainstorm, hiding for coverage!

Linley was a lot salty sitting on my lap!

Seeing the “Cat Man” on the Beltline at dinner

Linley admiring himself in the reflection

Linley scarfing down his egg at breakfast

Linley’s lookalikes at breakfast!

Linley showing Grams and Gramps all his toys

We’ll be in Michigan for a week during Linley’s Gotcha Day, and we’re looking forward to making more memories and having more quality time.

Media taken Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9, 2026 in Atlanta, GA.

Reflection from August 2024

August 7, 2026 / Cate Tracey / 1 Comment

Two years ago, I was living some of my hardest days. While the hardest chapter of my life was 2020 – 2023, August of 2024 was a close second. I was still recovering from a horrible back injury that inflicted excruciating physical pain, which led to emotional and mental scarring, too. And while that was going on, we found out that Linley had a tumor in his lung that needed to be removed ASAP. While I was in PT for 10 months and getting spinal epidurals, I was also worrying about whether I would lose my son and best friend (yes, Linley is my baby boy, don’t judge me! 🤣)

Fast forward to August of 2026: Linley and I are both happy and healthy (thank goodness). But now I’m finding myself “needing” to make up for lost time, wanting to do all the things and rushing my way through the summer.

This is my reminder to all of you, and to myself, to slow down! We can’t do all the things at once. We can’t commit to every invite or constantly run ourselves to the ground. Sometimes doing less is more, and I’m *slowly* unlearning that going a million miles a minute is the only way to survive.

Here are photos – both beautiful and tough – from August of 2024. What a rollercoaster that time was, and I’m glad I’m off that ride!

Shoutout to Piedmont for getting me in touch with the best PT and specialists around, to Blue Pearl Animal Hospital for saving Linley’s life and to all our friends at Bantam who rallied for Linley (and me!) during that time. 🫶

Photos taken August 2024

Watching the World Cup in Atlanta

July 20, 2026 / Cate Tracey / Leave a comment

I can’t put into words how grateful I am to be living in a city that hosted the World Cup. Not only did Alex and I have the amazing opportunity to go to a game, but we enjoyed watch parties throughout the city with our closest friends.

From seeing our wonderful Mayor Andre Dickens speak in Old Fourth Ward Park (where Alex and I got married last year), to cheering for Spain in a crowd of Saudi fans at the Mercedes Benz stadium, and watching the final game with our besties, it was an incredible month here in Atlanta. I’m already grieving! I’m so proud of my city, my friends and my chosen family for making this such a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Thank you, ATL, for being a great host city for the World Cup!

Watch party for the first US game in our neighborhood

Enjoying the Spain-Saudi game with one of our best friends and his dad on Father’s Day

Watching Mexico win with friends

Watching the US win another game

Enjoyed seeing Spain win with our closest friends

Agility Training • Alex & Linley 🐾

May 30, 2026 / Cate Tracey / Leave a comment

In 2017 when I first rescued Linley, I knew I wanted to sign him up for training. Lin wasn’t a bad dog by any means, but he had a lot of anxiety and abandonment issues prior to finding his way to my heart. Plus I figured it’d be great bonding for us, because he was still figuring me out.

Proud boy

On Christmas last year, I wanted to do something special for Alex and Linley to give them the same experience. The founder of Linley’s dog hiking group, Two Chicks and a Pack, recommended Megan at Primed Instincts for dog agility training here in Atlanta. I signed the boys up right away, and they had the best time together!

And here’s some videos if you want to see the guys in action:

I was lucky enough to watch the last two weeks of the agility trainings, and seeing my two favorite fellas always melts my heart! It was cute to see Linley smiling through all the obstacles, and he’d get so serious when following Alex for a treat. And it was awesome to see Alex so serious too; it was like they were both in “work mode.”

Even an 11-year-old dog can learn new tricks, so never sell yourself short 😉

Media taken Sunday, May 3, 2026 at Walker Park in Atlanta, GA

April Appreciation for Atlanta

April 13, 2026 / Cate Tracey / Leave a comment

Between 404 Day and now, it’s been a solid month here in Atlanta. We’ve explored new places, revisited some favorites and felt a sense of community with our neighbors (especially Amy because we got to watch her sweet girl, Larkin, this month!)

I look forward to what the rest of April and beyond has in store!

Sweetwater Creek + 404 Day

April 5, 2026 / Cate Tracey / 2 Comments

On Friday, I wasn’t feeling the best, but I knew a hike with Linley would help me sweat out my cold in addition to making my heart feel good. We revisited Sweetwater Creek State Park for some light hiking and beautiful views. My mom also had the day off, so we talked on the phone like the good ole days. And as usual, Linley got lots of attention and four young women were adoring him, so I gave them each a treat to give to Linley. He was in heaven!

Being with Linley always makes my day, especially when we can be outdoors together.

And yesterday’s 404 Day celebration in Atlanta was a ton of fun! We strolled through our favorite neighborhood in the city, watched Linley play at Piedmont Park, picked up some plants at Flora and Fauna, and enjoyed an afternoon in our own neighborhood.

I’ve been beating myself up all week about random sh*t, and honestly, I need to stop because I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Media taken Friday, April 3 & Saturday, April 4, 2026 in Atlanta, GA.

Loving spring in Atlanta 🌸

March 27, 2026 / Cate Tracey / Leave a comment

Don’t get me wrong: I love our roadtrips and weekends away. But there’s something extra special about being home in Atlanta this time of year. It’s not nearly as drastic as Michigan’s winter-to-spring transition, but laying out in the sun, listening to soul music in the park nearby is something I don’t take for granted here.

The last couple weekends have been so much fun, and I know this weekend will be no exception. We’ve even stayed busy during the week, because there’s no point in living for the weekend (in my humble opinion 😉).

Here’s some highlights that have brought me sheer enjoyment and smiles from ear to ear:

Enjoying some beautiful sunrises and sunsets

An afternoon with Linley

My first Atlanta United game of the season

Another fun dog mom social club event (and checking out a new trail!)

Painting Linley at Piedmont Park

Seeing Linley after his Two Chicks and a Pack hike

I can’t wait for more fun, but enjoying these moments has been exactly what I’ve needed!

Photography taken March 2026

Bamboo forest in my backyard

March 6, 2026 / Cate Tracey / Leave a comment

Who knew Atlanta had a bamboo forest? I certainly didn’t, and the crazier part is that it’s near the dog beach we take Linley to all the time! I’m off this week and enjoyed my Tuesday “staycation” by frolicking in the woods with my best bud.

Our total hike time was five hours(!) but I’d only anticipated about two or three. Luckily, Lin and I kept going and didn’t get tired out. The only times we stopped was when we wanted to take pictures, meet strangers or when one of Linley’s pack leaders of Two Chicks and a Pack recognized him. He’s basically a celebrity in Atlanta now 🤣

We easily could’ve (and probably should’ve) parked in a closer lot to the bamboo forest, and Alex apologized for giving us the wrong directions. But honestly, who could get mad at getting lost in the woods with their best friend? I certainly can’t, and “not all who wander are lost.” 💛 Plus all the meandering led us to meeting some friendly pups and humans!

Parcore!

Crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch!

Lin was like the energizer bunny and kept a great pace the entire time! But rightfully so, he needed a break and was exhausted! He was such a good boy getting back to the car and I took him to the pet store on our way back home.

I can’t wait until next time 🫶

Media taken Tuesday, March 3, 2026 on the East Palisades Trail in Atlanta, Georgia

Just a really great weekend

February 19, 2026 / Cate Tracey / 2 Comments

Do you ever have those weekends where you wish every weekend were like that? That’s how I felt on Friday the 13th (a holiday I love to celebrate), Valentine’s Day (a day a hardly celebrate) and the day after.

I’m grateful that I’m starting to feel at home in Atlanta again, that I finally have a truer sense of community and that I’m continuing to meet new people, try new things and experience true joy.

Lin sleeping with one of his actual stuffies

I also had a lovely dinner with a dear friend, coffee with another friend and her daughter, a fun Lunar New Year concert with Alex and a great dance class this week. Although I love staying busy, I’m excited for a lazy weekend!

Media taken Friday, March 13 – Sunday, March 15, 2026 🧧

Atlanta Dog Mom Social Club Event

February 9, 2026 / Cate Tracey / Leave a comment

Today was Lau Lau’s service. Lots of tears were shed, laughs were had and hugs were given. It was a beautiful, sunny day here in Georgia and it was evident how loved Lau Lau and the entire Tracey/Shu family are. 💛

Uncle Ray taking Linley to visit Lau Lau last year

Although today was beautiful but sad, yesterday was full of love at a local bakery who hosted Linley’s and my first Atlanta Dog Mom Social Club event. I saw their sign on a family walk around the holidays, and I’m so glad I found them. The fact that there are other dog moms who love their dogs as much as I do is really special! And of course sharing these memories with Linley means the world to me. 🫶

Before we both moved to Atlanta, it used to be Linley and me against the world. So although we missed Alex, having these solo bonding moments with Lin brings me back to the times it was just us two. We’re two peas in a pod! 🫛

Linley loved all the attention, treats and fun that this event had to offer! He got a little overstimulated and hit a sugar crash about halfway through the event, but it was okay because I got to hold him while he fell asleep in my arms. 🥹 Lin was saying hi to every dog, owner and volunteer in hope for more treats and attention. He also tried really hard to find a girlfriend in time for Valentine’s Day, but he came on a little too strong, so looks like I’ll need to be his Valentine again this year. 😅

Linley and I can’t wait for the next event! 🥰

Media taken Sunday, February 8, 2026 🐾

December 2025 Gratitude

January 1, 2026 / Cate Tracey / 4 Comments

As we enter a new year, I can’t help but reflect on all the ups and downs of 2025. From starting a new job and quickly dreading it due to verbal abuse, planning a casual wedding, getting married and going on the honeymoon roadtrip of a lifetime, and everything in between… I’m extremely grateful for all the greatness this year has brought me.

2026 will be all about letting go, healing and being more open and willing to receive the universe’s gifts, as opposed to wanting to control everything (my schedule, others’ emotions, etc.) Spontaneity is the name of the game for 2026 (aka: the year of the fire horse!)

But until we get into 2026, here’s some of my favorite moments from December. I may not stick with monthly gratitude journaling going into this year, but I’m extremely thankful for the community I have built – and am slowly rebuilding – here in Atlanta.

Moments between Alex and Linley