“Yesterday, I had to do one of the hardest things that I have ever done in my life. I had to put my beloved fur baby to sleep and say goodbye. The above photograph was taken about 10 minutes before her procedure. I knew it would be our last photo together, and I sense that she knew it as well. After I snapped our final selfie, I broke down. And just like the dutiful companion she has been for over a decade, she comforted me in her final moments.”

In justice‑centered and faith‑rooted work, the most meaningful support often comes from the quietest companions.

The Open and Affirming Coalition (ONA) recently launched its Spring Campaign, Love Without Fear, inspired by the deep bond between people and the pets who sustain them through grief, exhaustion, and hope. Sparked by the personal loss of a beloved companion experienced by ONA’s Acting Executive Director, Rev. Derek Terry, the campaign has grown into a collective moment of reflection, gratitude, and action.

For many engaged in advocacy and community work, the emotional labor is constant. The pressure is high, the challenges unrelenting, and rest can feel elusive. In these moments, pets become grounding presences—pulling us outside, slowing us down, offering comfort without expectation, and reminding us that we are loved simply for who we are.

As Rev. Terry reflects, pets teach us how to “love without fear.” We welcome them fully into our lives, knowing their time with us will likely be shorter, and we choose love anyway. That courage—to love deeply despite loss—mirrors what it means to keep showing up for one another and for a more just world.

Love Without Fear invites community members to share photos and stories of the pets who bring them joy, connection, and steadiness. These tributes will be shared on ONA’s social media platforms through the end of May, creating a space to honor the companions who quietly sustain this work.

In addition, the campaign aims to raise $5,000 to support a new microgrant program launching in June. These grants, up to $500 each, will help Open and Affirming churches extend their work beyond their walls and deepen local impact.

By weaving together memory, tenderness, and action, Love Without Fear reminds us that care is not separate from justice—it makes the work possible.