“They were in total shock!”
For artist Becca S., few things rival the joy of playing board games with her family—except maybe reminiscing about the beloved pets that defined her childhood. So, when she spotted a blank board game kit in an art store just weeks before Father’s Day and her mother’s birthday, inspiration struck like lightning.
“I was inspired to make a custom board game we could all play together next time I visited,” Becca explained, “and have it revolve around the most important members of our family: our family pets growing up.”
That spontaneous purchase evolved into “Furever Home!”, a heartfelt, hand-crafted board game modeled after Sorry!—but with a deeply personal twist. In this game, the goal isn’t just to get home first. It’s about retracing each pet’s journey to the family’s real-life childhood home, symbolizing their path from rescue to a life of love.
A Game with Heart and History
Each game piece is a lovingly sculpted miniature of a real pet Becca and her family grew up with. The board includes vivid depictions of where each animal came from before joining the family—and the special memories they shared along the way.
First up: Turf, a bichon rescued from the streets of Wilmington, Delaware, who became the star of the household for 16 years.
“Turf was, by far, my parents’ favorite child (rightfully so),” Becca shared. “He was the star of my mom’s yearly hand-drawn Christmas cards.”
Turf’s journey on the board begins at the street where he was found, leading to the house where he spent his golden years.
Next is Max, a collie who Becca describes as her “best friend” growing up.
“When I think of my childhood, I think of Max. He was mischievous, loyal, and hilarious.”
Max’s starting point is painted with a flyer that led the family to him, and his path reflects the deep bond he shared with a younger Becca.
Then comes Guenther, a Bernese mountain dog/border collie mix who, though he was with them for only a short time, changed everything.
“He turned my dad into a dog person,” Becca said. “Guenther opened the door for Max and Turf to come into our lives.”
Finally, there’s Sarah, a goldfish with a canine-sized presence in Becca’s heart.
“She was my first pet, and I considered her an honorary dog,” Becca laughed.
Sarah’s slide function on the board nods to the dramatic moment she leapt from her tank and triggered a police response—one of the many personalized anecdotes that make the game a living memory book.
A Family Heirloom in the Making
Becca filled the game with custom cards featuring stories, inside jokes, and quirks about each pet, plus “slide” mechanics representing their most iconic moments—like Turf’s zoomies or Sarah’s aquatic escape.
But the most touching moment wasn’t the creation process—it was seeing her parents react.
“They were in total shock!” Becca recalled. “I’ve painted my parents things in the past, but never anything this elaborate.”
That night, Becca, her parents, and her brother gathered around the table to play Furever Home! for the first time. It quickly became a new family favorite.
“I wasn’t sure if it’d be too sentimental,” she said, “but it turned out to be a blast—allowing us to laugh, reminisce, and, of course, be our usual cutthroat, competitive selves.”
“Furever Home!” is more than just a board game—it’s a tribute, a time capsule, and a love letter to the furry (and finned) friends who shaped a family. And for Becca, it was a reminder that art can bring people together—even across the years and through memories that live on with every roll of the dice.