
A Beautiful Announcement: Theo and Beau Video
This is an excerpt of the speech I gave at the Mom 2.0 Summit on May 2nd, 2014.
Three months after moving to New York City, my two year old landed us in the emergency room with a severe allergic reaction to pistachios. Without any family, friends or neighbors to call, my husband stayed home with our youngest while I literally ran my wheezing, hive covered baby through the rain to the NYU ER. Over the 7 hours that Jack and I spent in that sterile, packed little curtained-off corner while he received round after round of steroids and oxygen, I turned to Twitter and found that I wasn’t in fact, alone. There was a community of mothers and fathers there to virtually hold my hand, sharing their experiences and advise with me. Mostly they assured me that it was OK to be scared, but that my baby would also be OK. That was the first time that I realized that this community is so much more than a bunch of strangers behind computer screens, this was a lifeline. These are my friends.
This incredible group of socially conscious and connected peers would prove immeasurably invaluable throughout the last five years, but never more so than when my instagram photos went viral in November.
We adopted Theo from the Santa Cruz SPCA in late November of last year. He was seven weeks young when we brought him home with us, and I’m quite sure he was sharing the nerves and anticipation that we were feeling. Theo found the most comfort in Beau, and they immediately bonded as buddies, partners in crime, and even as brothers. He began napping with Beau, who wasn’t quite two, the day after he came to live with us. I shared my delight with my husband on text first, then on instagram. They napped together day after day, and after a few I realized this wasn’t going to change any time soon, so I gave them their own hashtag, and wrote about their lovely little ritual on my blog.
The Huffington Post published my article the next day, and by that night I had a slew of new followers and a deluge of media requests. Realizing what was happening without really registering it consciously, I stayed up for two nights fielding requests and handling agent emails and talk show inquiries. The local news crews were on our doorstep that weekend, and we even went to San Francisco in the middle of the night to film Fox & Friend. Good Morning America set up shop in our living room one evening the following week, and we started appearing in print all over the world.
Everyone said that I βhit the lotteryβ and to enjoy my 5 minutes of fame. I couldn’t connect with that whatsoever, because in the midst of all of that attention, my baby’s face was appearing all over the world and my anxiety was eating me alive. It was mostly positive, though of course with the rapid attention and millions of eyeballs came they naysayers and internet grumps. I’ve delt with my share of negativity from strangers on the internet, but those instances pale in comparison to the hundreds of emails and thousands of supportive comments from people all over the world. I’ve heard stories of love and loss and how the photos of Theo and Beau bring peace and reassurance and hope to all kinds of people in all different situations. Above all else, this has been the largest bounty. The amount of love we’ve received in many different forms and several different languages has left me forever humbled.
My commitment to using social media for good had also presented itself in the most obvious way: turning the attention to our local Santa Cruz SPCA. We’ve raised over $10,000 towards their goal of building a new facility and with a portion of the proceeds from my book going towards it as well, I’m confident they’ll meet that goal.
Philanthropy has always been my anchor and it’s kept me grounded in the best way.
The past five months have been some of the most intense of my entire life. I’ve rapidly learned all about Internet Property, Copyright and Trademarks, the infinite arms of the internet-how vast that span is and yet how wildly unhinged it is.
In my most frantic and dire moments of stress, this community was there for me again. Far from the emergency room yet feeling stranded all the same, I received unsolicited emails and notes of advise and support from some of the most successful and knowledgeable pioneers in this business: Women and men that I am hugely proud to call my friends. I battened down the hatches by hiring a team of heroes: Lawyers, Agents, Publicists, a rock star to handle my sponsorship opportunities, and even a babysitter and a house cleaner. What was once a loosely run online lifestyle journal is now a full time commitment, and I still get to be at home with my kids fulfilling my #1 goal and priority of raising my children.
This means that I’m taking conference calls at the playgrounds, little league games, and even my obstetrician’s waiting room. I may be enjoying far fewer morning trips to the beach as originally planned upon our move to Santa Cruz, but I am able to help support my family as well as climb the ladder of dental school debt.
I’m so proud to announce that Naptime with Theo and Beau is now available for pre-order. I am also incredibly thrilled to release the very first video that I’ve been working on with Anna Mayer which was shot soon after we brought Theo home. It’s been a wonderful journey, and it’s apparent that our story is only beginning.
Theo & Beau Film courtesy of Milwaukee videographer Anna Mayer
Such a beautiful little friendship. Definitely pre-ordering! Way to go Jessica!
Tears! xoxo
LOVE this video and LOVE Theo and Beau!!!!
Tears. So sweet! Congratulations!
Congratulations to you, Anna Meyer and all involved — the video is beautiful! I watched the initial small clip dozens of times…now I have so much more to make me smile.
Thanks for sharing it.
Absolutely LOVE their love……precious beyond words. THANK YOU for sharing their sweetness with us all.
What a precious way to document their friendship! Tearing up over here. How beautiful. Can’t wait for the book π
Heard there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
That brought tears. Such a beautiful story and family. Your daily posts show the good in life and such a loving family. It just gives me hope in a world that can be a bit difficult at times.
PERFECTION. Thank you for continuing to share your story with us. I never get tired of it.
Also tears… Theo and Beau are absolute Happiness and Love! Congratulations Jessica
Love seeing those two in action! Thank you so much for sharing! Congratulations!
Beau will never find a more devoted friend than Theo. Theo was a blessing for your family and you to Theo. The video is sweet and beautifully heart touching. Sniff, sniff!
LOVE this! Wish I could be in Atlanta with everyone. Have a blast. Can’t wait to see the book
That is the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen!! Beutiful!
I absolutely love following the story of these two! What a beautiful story and thank you for adopting π Wishing you many years of love and friendship.
Perfect….simply perfect! Lifetime Friends….<3
Thank you for sharing. I can’t even begin to put into words the joy this just gave me! I love Theo and Beau’s personalities. Speaks volumes of your family! Excited for your book, and look forward to yours posts every day. All the best to you and your family!
The video is very touching. I didn’t know whether to smile or cry while watching it so I did both, tears of joy. I have one problem with the video and that it is too short. I love the pics and now the video
Magical is right! The pictures absolutely make my day. Congratulations and thank you for making a difference in the lives of so many people…and animals!
Thank you to you and your family for sharing! As much as you do! Your Instagram feed brings a smile to my face daily and makes me want to leave wok and go play with my pup! :). Have an absolutely fabulous weekend!
Just perfect. <3
I can hardly type through the tears. What a wonderful video, and a couple of wonderful souls that you are raising together! Thank you so much for sharing them with us!
tears of joy. Taking the tub together put me over the edge. love love love
Simply amazing.
Brought tears to my eyes. Such a special relationship they have. So lucky to be capturing for him. It reminded me of my childhood dogs. They are a child’s best friend. Thank you for sharing your family with us.
Great article & beautiful video! Congratulations & I’m definitely pre-ordering the book!
Aaaw. Lovely! <3 π
Who’s cutting onions in here???
Truly magical!! The joy these two bring to my heart on a daily basis is amazing.
I’m a middle aged woman with two grown children & I am so in love with “Theo & Beau! These two cross all age, gender and language barriers! Congratulations to all involved! It brings me and apparently many many more people a lot of joy to get a “visit” of these two be it instagram, FB or mgc blog! Wishing you tons of success with your book ( I got mine x3 on pre-order Amazon and can’t wait)!Oh, and this video….so darn cute it made me cry!
I love this!!!! I think this friendship might be the sweetest EVER!!!! β₯ Your babies are beautiful!!!!
So incredible what this bond has created for you and your family! Wishing the best to all of you. Whatever would we do without dogs? <3
What a beautiful video.
Love! Congratulations! Pre-ordered. π
a beautiful love story…..can not wait for book!
Everything about this journey has been magical. It has been extraordinary to watch it unfold. The video is beautiful. I’m thrilled for you and your family, my friend. xoxo
In this crazy world it so nice to witness a slice of heaven. Even though my kids are grown they will be receiving your book! Congratulations on all your successes
I have pre-ordered the book and i cannot wait! Such a precious pair. Brings happy tears to my eyes.
such sweet pure love! God has truly blessed your family. Thank you for sharing your family with us all.
pre-ordered my copy! So happy for you & your family.
I truly hope Theo & Beau have many many years of joy together!!
That is the most precious video I’ve seen and so heartwarming. They share such a special bond. Thank you for sharing their story.
I wish all the best for you guys! Your exemplo of love and humanity touch the heart and the soul! You’ll never be alone any more, cause this will be in many memories and hearts!! You’re blessed! π
Bravo… How special ! As I watched the video I thought it would make a great book series. I guess you already thought of that. Thanks for Sharing , Theo & Beau ALWAYS bring a little happiness to my day : )
the video made me tear up! such a beautiful friendship. theo is such a blessing for your family, and you all for him.
Tears in my eyes… I could watch this for hours. Please make a longer movie… and yes, I will buy the book for sure!!!
The most adorable video I have ever seen. Best wishes to you and your family….just puts a smile on my face always.
The daily photo of Theo and Beau you post on Facebook, comes just when I go to bed (I’m from the Netherlands and about 9 hours ahead of you).
It is truly the perfect ending to the day, and makes my heart leap with joy every time, no matter how hard the day has been.
I just love your boys so much π
THANK YOU so much for sharing this most wonderful of stories with us X
What a precious video!! I could feel the love in the video! Now I miss my 7 month pup while I’m at work hehe.
You are amazing!!
Congratulations and thank you for sharing your family with all of us. I am sure that it is scary at times but you are doing a GREAT job with it all. I so look forward to “my” afternoon nap picture each day it is always a pick-me-up. Frankly I am surprised at how much tenderness and affection I feel for those two little beings considering I have never met them. A great big thank you again! And big XO to Theo & Beau. And PS my books are ordered.
Just delicious! I believe when people do things that are true to themselves and out of love, success in all forms is returned to them. Congratulations to you. Your blog and Instagram bring me daily joy. Thank you.
Jessica – This video is stellar!!! All the best on this incredible journey.
Tears of happiness, thank you for sharing Theo & Beau with the world.
Such a beautiful story and video… absolutely LOVE all of it!
Cried from beginning to end. Their story is like Mayberry, or the ending to, “Field of Dreams.” Comforting. Simple. Reflecting a bygone era. Thank you so much for sharing your lives with us. I hope we get to watch your family grow for many years to come.
Beautiful! Nothing else to say.
I was really hoping that the narrator would have been your daughter Zoe…
So proud of you, friend! To infinity and beyond!
So beautiful to watch. Followed these two for a long time now. Every day is such a happy moment when I see their little faces .
Thanks for the video it’s magic. X
Amazing when you think of all the ways this story could have played out differently. Going to a different shelter, going to the spca on a different day, arriving 15 minutes later and Theo was already adopted by a different family etc, etc. Who knows how much fate plays a role but something, somebody somewhere had a plan for you and you are riding that wave now. Congratulations on your continued success and thanks for sharing the love!
I am a person of word, too many some say. Yet my words escape me. A blessing on your home Mommasgonecity. A blessing upon everyone who is moved and touched by the story of innocence and true, unadulterated, unconditional love. May we all experience this type of love within our lifetime.
Your daily pictures bring a smile to my day and warm my heart – I will for sure be buying your book. As far as the video, could it get anymore precious?!! Thank you for sharing your family with us. You, your family, your story, your pictures . . . they are a blessing.
I love this so much. I cannot be the only person who feels like I know you even though we only chat on twitter sometimes. I hope that doesn’t sound freaky. I love these pics. I have loved your blog long before them, but goodness you have something extremely special here, <3!
Totally crying at the film. It just so innocent and beautiful and peaceful! My husband says no way to a dog right now. But I am eventually going to talk him into adopting π
Congrats again on the book! Can’t wait to have it in my hands!
such a beautiful and lovely blog and video of Theo&Beau. It really brighten many people’s lives. many good health to all at home. thank you. kisses to Theo
Such a beautiful film about the most amazing friendship! Photos are the highlight of my days and I thank you so much for letting us take this journey with your family. The book will be a very special one in my library.
Congratulations on the book, Jessica! The video is amazing and does such a great job of catching everyone up on the whole Theo and Beau story. I love watching the story unfold.
I really can’t express how much I love ending the day knowing a sweet photo of Theo and Beau will be waiting to greet me on Instagram. What you have done and all those you’ve inspired, the animals you’re helping – truly amazing. Thank you for continuing to share your lives with all if us.
Babies & Doggies help my hubbies blood pressure go down…we’re gonna watch this little video erry day! π
I imagine it is indeed so difficult to share all of this with the world, and perhaps easy at the same time since the relationship between this dog and your family is so overwhelmingly cute. I thank you for your gift. It warms my heart each day.
Thank you for sharing your love with the world – so very glad that you do. The video is BEYOND precious!!
Laughing, crying. Thank you. xo
This video has replaced bedtime stories in our household! All three of my kids gather to see this lovely story over and over again. Thank you ever so much!! Happy nappingsβ‘
That video is so sweet. So excited for you and your adorable family! π
So adorable. I’m very happy for you all .
So very happy for you and your family! I look forward to their nap everyday!
Your story has become a beautiful, guilty pleasure in my busy life. When I dream of a wildly creative existence, it is through your lens that I see it. Thank you.
oh my gosh!! i’m SO SO excited for you. i’ve absolutely LOVE following your posts and your amazing pics of theo and beau. this video makes me CRY every time I watch it. we just lost our lab 3 months ago and i’m getting to a place of wanting to add a new doggie to our family of 4. we miss our lab SO much, but i’m hesitant to get a new doggie anytime soon because all my time goes to my 1 yo and 4 yo. i want to be able to give to our new doggie…i’m having lots of mommy guilt i’m still trying to let go of because the last 4 years i wasn’t able to give to our first baby doggie as much as when we first got him. but, when i see your pics and this video…makes me wanna go out and get another ASAP! the love and the bond b/w theo and beau is priceless!!! thank you for sharing this joy and love!!! i’m SO excited for the book!!
I love your pictures! Theo and Beau pics make my day happy!
Can you send the book to outside USA? I live in Brazil. Dou you sell the book in Amazon too?
Tears in my eyes……..absolutely love this!!! Thank you for sharing these sweet and precious moments with us!! LOVE Theo & Beau!!
Wow…as the precious little narrator says, “It was magical!” Can’t wait to see the book, congratulations π
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful family with all of us readers. I look forward to your blog every day and today’s just made me cry- in a good way of course! I love seeing the relationship between Beau and Theo. Reminds me that there is still goodness in a world that often forgets all the simple things that make us the most human. Thank you again for writing and sharing your lovely family with all of us readers. You just made my day with this post!
Definitely tears, that one needed a “don’t watch this at your desk at work” warning! π I have loved watching the love between Theo and Beau blossom and take on a life of its own. Thank you so much for sharing.
Beautiful video! Looking forward to the book π
Thanks for sharing all the cuteness and joy that Theo and Beau’s friendship brings. So pure and natural.
That video almost brought me to tears! I recently had to put my childhood dog to sleep, it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. The love between a small child and a dog is something else, before this video I though that love could only be understood first hand, but you have captured it beautifully. Thanks so much for sharing! Theo and beau are so amazingly sweet and loveable!
So great to see you again! Puppies rule.
All I can say is that with Baby #4 you need to get another puppy and do this all over again – it’s better than a Disney movie.
Oh this video brings tears to my eyes! Bless your little family!
The photos of Theo & Beau are one of those things I go to whenever I need a lift and a smile. It never disappoints. I just watched the little video and my heart absolutely melted from the cuteness. Those 2 are the BEST of friends. The tub scene was just beyond cute!
Meraviglioso!
Thanks for this wonderful emotion!
Chiara from Venice (Italy)
That is one of the most beautiful things iv ever seen. Melts your heart!
Sono bellissimi!!!grazie per aver condiviso le foto π
love, love, love….so many blessings! Thank you for sharing with us!
Oh my gosh….I love your pics of Theo & Beau, but the video was precious beyond words. You have a beautiful family and I look forward to your Instagram pics. Thank you for sharing your world with us. God Bless you
Loved the story…I have been following your Instagram account. But to see the video
words are not enough. Thank you for sharing love them both!
This beautiful video made me cry. There is nothing more special in this world than the love of a dog!
I have this book and it’s incredible! It’s absolutely beautiful π
Love this so much- it makes my heart feel so full to see Theo and Beau napping together in such a loving and peaceful way. Congrats on your book!!