On April 6th, 2026 Matsuri crossed the rainbow bridge. And I want to share her story.

In 2019, I adopted Matsuri (then Lucy) with my partner at the time. We went to HSHV looking for a companion dog for my older dog, Phoebe. Matsuri had arrived from the south on a Love Train — which was atypical as usually we saw puppies on the Love Train.

When I first saw her, I was in love. She was so gentle and affectionate through the kennel and I knew I had to meet her. The volunteers got her and my ex into a room. She quickly took a liking to us both, but particularly him. We knew we had to take her home, and we brought Phoebe in for a meet and greet and they immediately clicked and even barked at something together. It was so nice to see how quickly they got along.

But Matsuri had to get spayed and HSHV had her there for a few more days for recovery. I remember, I’d anxiously call every day to check in on her post-surgery and when we were finally able to pick her up I was ecstatic. She didn’t have a name initially, but when we took her home and I would call her with different names. One day, I called out “Matsuri” (which means festival/celebration in Japanese), her ears perked and she tilted her head in curiosity. That’s how Lucy became Matsuri. She brought our little family, and every one who met her so much joy. She had so many quirks – she would try to climb trees chasing a squirrel, she would try to fit herself in the smallest of places, she would run round and round in a circle around us before she had to go poo poo, she always had a side eye towards my cat Ollie (also adopted from HSHV), inhaled her food and so much more. But she would let me nibble on her ears, dress her up in costumes, cuddle as we napped, and so much more – she was a patient and loving baby.

We moved to California from Michigan and my ex and I separated and Matsuri and I were separated. My ex texted me that Matsuri passed away after a valiant struggle with bladder cancer. I missed her with all my heart, but I know we did the best we could to give her a good life – both together and separately. I love her and miss her, but I know she is now reunited with Phoebe (who passed 3 years ago) and they are now running together with big smiles on their faces, with no pain. Thank you HSHV for bringing her on the Love Train, she changed many lives for the better.

I have so many photos of her, so please let me know if I can send more.

Lucy now Matsuri