Paczki - Heaven At Home Pet Hospice

In Memoriam: Paczki

By Janina Valenza, published on August 17th, 2026

"Paczki’s passing was incredibly sudden and shocking after what we thought would be a routine veterinary visit clinic. The grief has been enormous and has taken some time to absorb. A couple days later, we decided we wanted to be the ones to pick up her body from MSU Veterinary Clinic. We gave her one last ride in the car, brought her home for a few minutes, sat on the couch as a pack like all those years, prayed over her and then visited Heaven At Home for the final steps. We wanted to see her one last time. This may have been an unusual request, but H@H treated it with such kindness and understanding. They gently brought her out and placed her in a sweet little basket so we could spend a few more moments with her. In many ways, it felt like a funeral viewing, and it was the exact closure that we needed. We are eternally grateful for the dignity, kindness, and sensitivity they showed Paczki—and us—during such a heartbreaking moment."

She was the gatekeeper of the home — charging belly rubs as admission. The hostess with the mostest — ALL were welcomed to her toys and treats. When it was time to leave, she showed you the door with 1 parting reminder — another belly rub couldn’t hurt your chances of being welcomed back. 12 years of bedtime kisses for Patrick, HER Person. Snuggles that led to hogging Janina’s side of the bed — she knew your place.

She loved bike rides with Patrick. Long walks to Meijer and car windows down on Mary Beth Lane- rain, snow, or shine. She lived her best life in Puerto Rico. She loved weekly visits with Janina to the DoubleTree lobby to greet ‘the fans’; She grocery shopped at SuperMax and napped in the ocean breeze.

Loyal, funny, a diva with particular tastes and style — she was Queen P. Adored attention — but adored YOU more. Not always the brightest — and somehow her favorite toy was a stuffed, tied-felt pillow 2x her size. She patiently taught you fetch with it.

Spoiled, and voted the ‘favorite’ family member 12 consecutive years in a row, she left our kids no choice but to yield to the competition. Secret Santa exchanges. Flying off the stairs like Wonder Dog. Sharing ‘secrets’ in the powder room with Janina, and skidding across the room to welcome you home every day.

She was the silent observer through the worst and best of our marriage and our blended family of 7. When we gave up on each other, she didn’t give up on us.

She breathed life into these walls, making it a home. Our 4-legged anchor. She taught us grace, forgiveness, adventure, and determination. We grew up, we healed, and she brought out the best in us. She loved us well.

It was her job to love us unconditionally; ours to take care of her. Mission accomplished.

Cancer was cruel to her little lungs, and she gave us every last breath she had. She was laid to rest in HER Person’s arms, leaning into him for one last hug, while hearing over and over, “THANK YOU, Paczki. WE LOVE YOU, Paczki.” She carried his scent and our voices with her over the rainbow bridge.

Paczki, YOU GAVE US YOUR ALL. You will always be with us. May our tears today turn into smiles tomorrow remembering all the joy you gave us. Thank you, God, for letting her choose us to be her stewards for 12 wonderful years. May we love others like she loved us.

June 24, 2014-August 8, 2026