Those who know me know that I don't spend much time looking in the rearview mirror. I've always preferred to focus on the road ahead. But as we celebrate another anniversary, I can't help but take a quick glance back and marvel at all we've accomplished together.

As you'll read elsewhere in this newsletter, there is much to celebrate. One milestone that brings me particular joy is that Pawfectly Delicious now has 14 team members receiving a paycheck. Every one of those paychecks represents an opportunity for someone to contribute, build skills, earn income, and be valued for their work. That's what we've been striving for since day one.

We're also excited to officially welcome Liam back to our crew. Liam interned with us last year before taking time away to attend a vocational training program. After successfully completing his training, he returned to Pawfectly Delicious in late September and has resumed his duties on our packaging team. Everyone was thrilled to see him return, and we're so happy to have him back.

Last month's letter was a difficult one for me to write. I was sad, and truthfully, we still miss our dear pup, Mr. Friday, tremendously. His absence is felt every day, and I suspect we'll continue to feel that void until we don't. Grief has a way of moving at its own pace.

What has helped me over the past few months is focusing my energy on a project that will help our team and support the future growth of Pawfectly Delicious. Today, I'm excited to finally share that project with all of you.

After nearly ten years of fulfilling orders, storing inventory, supplies, and equipment in my basement, and having customers and postal carriers come to my personal residence to pick up orders, Pawfectly Delicious will soon have its own administrative office in the Fort Hunt community!

Even writing those words feels a little surreal.

When we started this organization, we had very few resources. Operating from my home simply made sense. We were running on determination, passion, and a shoestring budget. Like many small organizations, we made do with what we had and invested every dollar we could back into our mission.

But growth changes things.

When your office, shipping department, warehouse, and storage area are all located in your home, it's difficult to ever step away. The work is always there waiting for you.

This new office space will give Pawfectly Delicious a place to call its own. It will provide space for our administrative operations, allow for a small retail presence in the community, and create additional opportunities for our team members to learn packaging, shipping and sales skills. Those new responsibilities mean additional opportunities to work and earn income.

I also want to assure everyone that one important part of our operation remains unchanged. Thanks to the incredible generosity of St. Luke's, we will continue baking and packaging our treats in the gifted space they provide. We remain deeply grateful for that partnership.

As I reflect on this anniversary, I often find myself thinking about why Pawfectly Delicious started in the first place. I was simply trying to solve a problem. I wanted Bryan to have a job where he would be included, respected, and valued for his contributions.

At the time, I was almost afraid to dream beyond that.

I certainly never imagined that one day we would employ 14 people, sell thousands of bags of treats, partner with businesses throughout our community, or have a landlord who believed in our mission enough to lease us office space.

Yet here we are.

Looking back reminds me how far we've come. Looking ahead reminds me how much opportunity still exists.

We've navigated some tough roads over the years. Thanks to your support, your encouragement, your purchases, your donations, and your belief in our mission, we're still moving forward.

So, while I may glance in the rearview mirror from time to time, my focus remains on the open road ahead.

And I can't wait to see where it takes us.

With gratitude,

Anne