Forever Promise … Forever Home. Remember Sofia And Skylar?
In August of 2023, I introduced you to two little Maltipoo siblings who had just arrived at The Pet Cottage in the most heartbreaking of circumstances. Their person, Rita, a 78-year-old woman living alone, had fallen in her bathroom and passed away. A week went by before anyone found her — and when they did, Sofia and Skylar were still by her side, without food or water, waiting. They arrived at our sanctuary trembling together in the back of a crate.
You fell in love with them then. I thought you’d like to know where they are now.
This month, Sofia and Skylar turn seven years old. They are buckled into their car seat together—Sofia in her pink harness, Skylar in his orange—tongues out, heading somewhere wonderful. They are thriving.
They found their Forever Home with Ellen and Bryan Daly, long-time Jupiter Farms residents. Bryan is the founder of EPIC, one of the most vibrant networking communities in Palm Beach County, and it was through that community that he and The Pet Cottage first found each other.
Ellen and Bryan had shared their lives with three beloved Maltese, each one adored, each one mourned when the time came. When I reached out about Sofia and Skylar, they opened their hearts again without hesitation. Bryan will freely admit that walking them through the door was, at first, about making mama Ellen happy. But he fell in love with them too. Their big, beautiful mixed-breed, Betty, cast the deciding vote—and Betty said yes.
Sofia and Skylar are the sweetest little lovebugs. They are velcroed to each other and to Ellen, following her from room to room, curling up beside her, never far from her. Sofia brings a spark of personality into every room. Skylar, her devoted brother, is her shadow and her protector. Together they are exactly what Ellen and Bryan needed.
Sofia was later diagnosed with a heart murmur. She manages it with ongoing medication and veterinary care—all of it covered by The Pet Cottage, as we promise every pet in our program, for life. Dr. Vinoski and his team have been with her every step of the way.
“What surprised us most is that it’s not just about helping the dogs—it’s what it gives back to you,” Ellen and Bryan shared. “At this stage of life, you start to wonder if you should even have a pet again. But with The Pet Cottage, you can, because you’re not alone. There’s a plan. It really becomes a win-win-win—for the dogs, for the family, and for us as guardians.”
This is the Forever Promise—no pet left without a plan, and no person left without the chance to love again.
How You Can Be Part Of This
• Support our mission. It takes resources to keep every promise. Please consider a donation at thepetcottage.org.
• Does your pet have a plan? If something happened to you tomorrow, we can help. Reach out at [email protected].
• Become a Forever Guardian. Open your home to a pet who needs you. We cover all veterinary costs for life.
• Learn more. Visit thepetcottage.org or find us @thepetcottage on Facebook and Instagram.
Wendy Derhak is the founder and executive director of The Pet Cottage, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit sanctuary at 17049 Thunder Road, Jupiter, FL 33478, (561) 818-5025, [email protected], thepetcottage.org.
Bryan and Sofia and Skylar
Skylar and Sofia, velcro dogs
Sofia and Skylar at Dr. Vinoski’s
