Hi [FORMATTED_FIRST_NAME GOES HERE] -

This is longer than what I usually send, so think of it like a little journal entry. If you’re new here, welcome to the deeper side of me. And if you’ve been with me for years… thank you for sticking around for all the chapters.

The last year has been a lot. Extreme highs and extreme lows. I lost my grandmother. I lost Lucy. And even though I can almost talk about it without falling apart, I still get hit with waves of missing her and cry almost every day. Grief is weird like that, it comes in sideways.

At the same time, I had some incredible opportunities… hopping on planes for live national TV appearances, meeting amazing people, doing work that lights me up. And through all of that, I kept asking myself:

How am I supposed to hold both the heartbreak and the big, beautiful moments?

A hard truth hit me this year, and it’s one I’m bringing with me into 2026:

You cannot elevate your life, or your dog’s life, if you refuse to elevate yourself.

And honestly? That’s really hard for me.

I’m the person who clears the table first. I make sure everyone else is fed, calm, happy, enriched, supported. I take care of my dogs like it’s a full-time profession. I can walk into a kitchen and somehow end up doing dishes (even when it’s not my kitchen!) 🫣

Putting myself first has never been my default setting.

But when Lucy passed away, everything slowed down. I know my business didn’t get the best of me for months. I did the bare minimum and spent all my energy caring for her. When she was gone, I was forced to ask:

How do I want to spend my time and energy?

What do I want to pour my creativity into? Who do I want to help? What actually matters?

And the answer surprised me with how obvious it was:

Dog enrichment. I'm talking real enrichment. Not just stuffed Toppls and snuffle mats (which I LOVE) - but the full, beautiful, life-changing spectrum of enrichment our dogs need.

So I gave myself a long runway to think, plan, structure, dream, and create what I wanted this to be. And that became my new podcast, Dog Enrichment with Tori Mistick. It's something I'm genuinely proud of. 🤗 Like “I will still love these episodes in 10 years” proud.

It’s fulfilling. It’s motivating. It’s helping people already. And it feels like the most me thing I’ve ever made.

Maybe it leads to a book. Maybe a TED Talk. Maybe something I can’t even picture yet. But it feels like what I'm meant to be spending my time on right now.

And that alignment helped me figure out the three rules I’m bringing with me into 2026 — rules I think might help you, too.

My 3 Rules for 2026

1. How easy can it be?

This was my rule for 2025 and honestly… it saved me. Whenever something feels overwhelming, I ask myself:

How can I make this simpler?
How can I make this less stressful?
How can I make this fun?

Your dog would approve.

2. Surprise and delight.

I recently heard the author of Unreasonable Hospitality on the Martha Stewart podcast, and it's clear: small, thoughtful gestures matter more than big flashy ones.

I want to bring this into my life, my work, and even my enrichment philosophy.

3. Seek novel experiences.

This ties right into Episode 8 of the podcast about social enrichment and the Dog Blue Zone. Novelty is enriching for our dogs and for us. New sounds, new routines, new places, new challenges, new skills. Even doing things we’re not good at. Even things that feel a little weird.

It’s something I want for myself and for Burt.

From my browser tabs to yours

Because my brain has a lot of tabs open! Here are the things I can’t shut up about right now:

💩 The poop bags you can open with gloves on.

Yes, really. Greenline bags open while wearing mittens. I repeat: you do not need to take your gloves off to open these poop bags. Get 10% off with code wwr10. Click to stock up →

🐕‍🦺 The giant dog stroller wagon.

I never thought I’d be a stroller dog mom… but I also never thought I’d spend Saturdays hunting rats with my dog, and yet here we are. This wagon is a game-changer for senior pups, reactive dogs, brachy breeds in hot climates, or dog sport days. It’s enormous and incredible. Click for deets → ​

👸🏻 My budget skincare combo.

I’ve been debating those red-light therapy masks — do they work?? Tell me if you have one! But for now, my affordable Vitamin C + hyaluronic acid combo every morning is making up for the six months I abandoned all self-care. They're at the bottom of this list →​

Let's be clear

Wrapping up this very long email, I want you to know one thing: I am here for YOU, not for me.

Everything I make is rooted in a mission to help you feel less alone as a dog parent, to help you feel capable, to help you look at your dog and think, “we can do that.” 🥰

This is a judgment-free zone. We’re learning together. We’re having fun. You’re safe here.

One Simple Ask

If you do one thing after reading this, please: Watch or listen to Episode 8 of the podcast: The Dog Blue Zone: Smarter Social Enrichment for a Longer Life.

🎧 Listen on Apple | Spotify | YouTube​

It will change the way you think about “socialization.” No dog parks required. Just real connection, confidence, and healthy aging.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts or watch on YouTube and leave a rating, review, or quick comment. It helps so much!

Thanks for reading my long-ass journal entry 😂 And thanks for being part of this community. It's truly one of the best parts of my life.

Talk soon!

Tori

​

P.S. If you also have a million browser tabs open and want a few more... I just saw a lot of the products from my Top 25 of 2025 live show are already on sale for Black Friday. Here's the Amazon list (plus a few you can only find here)

​