Lots of people love their pets, but few turn the loss oftheir dog into a life mission. But that's what Cindy Aronstam did after herbeloved English bulldog Winston passed away.
Cindy, a real estate agent in San Diego, hadalways been a dog lover. Her parents had a dog before she was born. She grew upwith them. When she got her first dog of her own, she picked an English bulldogwhom she named Winston.
Winston lived well beyond the 8–10-year lifespanof most bulldogs to almost 14 years old. His passing was so sorrowful to Cindythat she would take walks with her husband and stand behind him so that shewould be protected from seeing other people's pets.
Two days after her beloved bulldog Winston passed,Cindy spotted a golden retriever with a gray beard and soulful eyes. She pulledaway from her husband Jim and asked the owner if she could pet the animal. Asshe bent down to touch the dog, the owner told her, "This isWinston." And she knew that the loss of her pup wouldn't be in vain.
Fast forward and Cindy and Jim now have Harry, a"foster fail" that they were supposed to temporarily care for untilhe found a home. Turned out that Harry already was home, and Cindy foundrenewed purpose in helping not only her new pup, but all dogs.
Soon after, Cindy and Jim started The WinstonProject, which aims to raise funds for shelters and rescues so they can do thework of saving animals. She says, hopefully, one day, the need for shelterswill be eliminated altogether.
If you haven't heard the story of how my familygot our current dog, I share it in this week's episode of Chiseled. If you're adog lover, this episode with Cindy may well bring you to happy or sad tears,but it's a joyous and purposeful journey.
Cindy and Jim's Winston Project, which is now officiallya 501 c(3) nonprofit, is having its first annual gala in San Diego on June 8,2023. If you can't make it, you can donate. And you'll probably feel the urgeafter hearing Cindy describe her relationship with Winston, the WinstonProject's goals, and her passion for saving animals.
You can find more about the gala and the WinstonProject on Cindy's website as well as on Facebook and Instagram. And if you're looking for Cindy for real estatein the San Diego market, you only need to look up "the bulldog realtor." Appropriate, don't you think?

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