Benefits of Owning a Pet

“I said I’d take a dog, but I’m not sure I want that one.” “He’s a real sweetheart,” Brittany, a staff member, assured me. He was big with the smushed-in face of a bulldog, but the height of a boxer. He had a barrel chest, and his front legs were shorter than the back ones…

Our American bulldog, Mango died of cancer this week. In my moments of grief, I am writing this blog to honor her memory. Mango came into my life nine years ago when I was retired after my son had adopted her as a puppy and realized he could not keep…

Coping with the loss of a pet is incredibly difficult at any age. As you probably already know, it doesn’t matter if you are six or 60 – the raw emotions of pet loss can make you feel alone, angry or even numb. As older adults dealing with the loss…

Kismet is lying on my feet. Since the pandemic, that is her favorite place to be while I write. My study is the warmest room in the house, and for most of her 10 years of life my companion Border Collie has spent the daylight hours

We knew what bringing home a puppy means because we’d done it before. (And that time we had brought home two!) We had no illusions: puppies are a lot of work, they demand most of your time, it won’t be easy…

Recovering after a surgery, the doctor said the best thing I could do was get up and walk. I started walking way back when I quit smoking, mostly to keep the weight off. I enjoyed walking with my buddies in my old…

I’ve always loved dogs, but allergies in the household kept me from having one. After a painful divorce 18 years ago, I decided to buy a little non-shedding poodle/terrier. On the way home from the pet store I tried out a raft of names…

A memorial video can be a wonderful and moving way to pay lasting tribute to your pet. The realization your pet is no longer with you can be challenging and difficult.

In fact, you might even fear that your memory of them will fade away. Read More

The unique bond between human and animal can be incredibly strong, and while we take care of our pets, they often take care of us too! Pets are comfort us when we’re sad, keep us company when we’re lonely, and love us unconditionally…

Are you thinking about getting a pet? Do you share your home with a furry friend already? Aside from being cute and furry (or feathery), pets can bring a lot more than we think to our lives, especially as we get older…