Woman asks universe for a sign about her late dog — spots something crazy at the art fair
When we lose someone we love, we often find ourselves searching for little reminders that they're still with us in some way. For one woman mourning her beloved dog, a simple visit to an art fair became the moment she’d been hoping for, though she never expected it to arrive the way it did. Jordyn Smith (@jordynsmith701), a 30-year-old nurse from Indiana, had spent nearly half her life with Maizy, a Boston terrier-beagle mix who was her companion through college, nursing school, and every move that followed. After Maizy died in December 2025 from an aggressive recurrence of cancer, Smith said she asked the universe for some kind of sign that her best friend was okay. Soon after, she walked into an art fair and stopped in front of a canvas that left her stunned.
The painting, titled "The Starry Night — Maisy at Rest," showed a dog lying peacefully beneath a swirling night sky. "It did make me tear up, but I was overcome with happiness more than anything. I want nothing more than for her to be happy, resting in the sun, wherever her soul may be. This was confirmation that she was doing exactly that," Smith told Newsweek. What made the moment even more powerful was that someone Smith had never met purchased the $325 painting and gifted it to her. "The fact that a complete stranger bought me the painting not only will remind me of Maizy every time I look at it, but the kindness of humanity, too. And, I gained another friend out of it (Thanks, Cass!)," she said, adding, "The whole experience has been amazing and I know Maizy girl is happy, pain free, somewhere among the stars."
The artist’s reimagining of Van Gogh’s "The Starry Night" had unknowingly captured Maizy’s likeness so well that Smith posted a side-by-side image to TikTok. One photo showed Maizy curled up, asleep. The other showed the painting, which mirrored the same posture beneath the night sky. Smith explained that Maizy had fought bravely through several health scares. After beating leg cancer in 2022, the dog lived with a heart murmur that gradually worsened. By fall 2024, Maizy had slowed down noticeably. When she developed a cough in November, it initially seemed minor, but tests revealed that the cancer had spread to her lungs. Just days later, she passed away at home, resting on her favorite bed beside her favorite stuffed toy: a small cow.
"Her and her sister, Kali, are my best friends. She was my cuddle buddy, walking partner, and favorite girl to play fetch with on a cool summer evening," Smith said. Moments like this aren’t uncommon for those mourning a beloved animal. According to a 2011 study, people grieving the loss of a pet often experience what psychologists call a "continuing bond," where signs, symbols, or meaningful coincidences help them maintain a healthy emotional connection with their animal.
The video hit home for viewers and elicited emotional reactions to the story. @clownaroundfool wrote, "And there she came to rest, covered by the blue light of the moon, under the tempest of the swirling galaxy above." @jamie.moon added, "Would have been bawling in the middle of an art show." @mtoti_m reflected, "That's why art is important. Make your art. Share it. You have no idea who's asked the universe for it." @rynnroo96 replied, "Someone bought it for her. I'm going to cry—that's like $300+. What a lovely person." You can watch the photos Smith uploaded here.
You can follow Jordyn Smith (@jordynsmith701) on TikTok for more dog content.