pets & animals

pets/animals

August 8, 2022

Time to Walk the Dog

When Betsy Buchalter Adler gets too absorbed by her legal work, her dog, Ollie, reminds her of what’s truly important: a good, long walk outdoors. Adler believes Ollie helps her live in the moment and embrace the small, unexpected delights in the world.
April 22, 2022

Seeing in Beautiful, Precise Pictures

As a person living with autism, Temple Grandin explains that she lives by concrete rules, not abstract beliefs. Without the ability to process abstract thought, she thinks in pictures and in sounds.
November 27, 2018

The Knowing

As a writer, Silas House doesn't like to use the word "love" too much. But, when it comes to his dogs, House knows that they embody love in every sense of the word—the giving and receiving of affection, practicing kindness and patience, and enjoying every single moment.
January 22, 2018

Love on Four Feet

As a college student, Sarah Culp Searles found her life in turmoil one day. Upon returning home, her family cat taught her a life lesson she still holds dear: that real love is steadfast and unconditional.
November 16, 2015

Treating Animals Right

I believe in treating animals right. Animals are no less or different than humans and to mistreat animals is malicious and unnecessary. I love animals, all the pets I’ve had in my life meant something to me, and each relationship...
November 9, 2015

The Power of Story

When Nathan Alling Long's dog was missing a few years ago, he found himself heartbroken and unable to accept the fact that he would never know what happened to her. But a friend suggested that he change his thinking and pretend his dog Gracie was on an adventure. Long then realized that he truly believes in the power of story.
June 24, 2015

An Emotional Cure

To have someone that is always there for me, always happy to see me, and will always love me is important. It's usually pretty difficult to find that in someone, and typically that person has learned and practiced that behavior,...
June 17, 2015

When Eddie Smiles

My first adopted Golden Retriever was almost three when I decided to become a “foster parent” for an organization in Maryland which helps train and house homeless dogs until a suitable forever home can be found. I thought it would...
June 2, 2015

Learning from Death

In his novel Lullaby, Chuck Palahniuk writes that “There are worse things you can do to the ones you love than kill them.” I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this passage, trying to figure out what’s worse than...