Tails of Love: Jorie & Cubbie’s Story

Some bonds don’t need grand beginnings or perfect timing. Sometimes, they begin with a simple moment… a neighbor fostering puppies, a hopeful question, and a heart instantly pulled toward the one with the cutest face. That’s how Jorie Archie met Cubbie.

Eleven years ago in Plainfield, Illinois, Jorie’s neighbor was fostering three puppies. Jorie knew immediately she wanted to adopt one and when she met them, Cubbie stood out. Something about him felt right. She gravitated toward him more than his siblings, and from that moment on, their story began.

Today, Jorie describes their relationship in the simplest and most powerful way:

“We are best friends.”

Cubbie is a mixed breed dog with a loyal heart and the kind of presence that quietly becomes part of your everyday life. He’s a girl’s best friend, a walking companion, a playtime partner, and a professional relaxation buddy. They love going on walks together, playing, and simply being side by side. But like so many human pet relationships, their bond goes far deeper than routines.

During hard seasons of life, Cubbie has been there. When stress, heaviness, or difficult days made it hard to get out of bed, Cubbie gave Jorie a reason to try. “He would help me get out of bed to take care of him and myself.” That’s the kind of love pets give so naturally. They don’t fix everything. They don’t have all the answers. But they show up. They sit close. They remind us we’re needed. They remind us we’re not alone.

Through Cubbie, Jorie has learned an important lesson: “Enjoy the little things.” And it’s often the little moments that mean the most. Like the pure joy Cubbie shows every single time Jorie comes home, his tail wagging, excitement overflowing, happiness that never fades no matter how many times it happens. Or the fact that Cubbie wasn’t just a part of everyday life… he was part of one of the biggest days of Jorie’s life. “He was at my wedding.” Some dogs are pets. Some become family. Some become witnesses to the milestones, the changes, the growth, and the love stories unfolding around them.

When asked what she would say to Cubbie if she could put it into words, Jorie keeps it beautifully simple: “Thanks for everything.” And when asked what she would tell someone thinking about adopting a pet: “Do it. You won’t regret it.” Because while adoption changes an animal’s life, it also quietly changes the human’s life in ways they never expected.

Cubbie even carries a little piece of Jorie’s personality and passions in his name, he’s named after the Chicago Cubs. A small detail that makes him even more hers. Jorie also shares love for other animals in her life, her family’s cats, who she describes as loyal, funny, and incredibly meaningful. Proof that the heart has an endless capacity for loving animals in all their unique ways.

At Alex And Andy, stories like Jorie and Cubbie’s sit at the very core of why we still create pet bandanas alongside our apparel. Before anything else, this brand started with a man and his dog. Uncle Andy and his dog Alex shared a bond that carried Andy through life’s hardest seasons. That love, loyalty, and quiet companionship became part of our foundation. 

We believe pets are more than accessories to our lives.

• They are emotional support on four legs.
• They are daily reminders to slow down.
• They are comfort in silence.
• They are unconditional love.

When we sell pet bandanas, whether slide-on collar or tie-on, they’re not just meant to look cute (although we love that part too). They’re meant to honor the connection you share with your pet. They’re a small way to celebrate a big love.

Jorie and Cubbie remind us that:

• Love doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful.

• The smallest routines can carry the deepest meaning.

• Sometimes healing starts with a wagging tail and a reason to get out of bed.

If you’re reading this and thinking about the pet who has walked beside you through your own highs and lows, we see you. If you’re missing a pet who once filled your home with joy, we honor that love. And if you’re still waiting to meet the animal who will one day change your life, we hope Jorie’s story encourages you to take that step.

Because love shows up in many forms. Sometimes… it shows up with the cutest face in a litter of three puppies. 🐾🤍

Much Love,

Uncle Andy and Sophie