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…

Many baby boomers, like myself, own dogs. My husband Eric and I are the proud ‘parents’ of five German Shepherds. They have become a part of our family now that our kids are grown and left home…

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…

National Dog Day is celebrated each year on August 26. The buoyancy our furry friends provide is balm for our Covid-weary spirits. Pets made great companions during the throes of the pandemic. I experienced separation anxiety when we felt…

Making arrangements for your home or apartment before leaving for a vacation can feel like a daunting task when you think about all that needs to be done. Depending on how long you will be gone, you likely need to think about: having the mail/newspaper held…

Life lessons come in all sizes, and often life’s teachers are from unlikely places. In particular, our animal friends, both domestic and wild, have a lot to teach us. The lessons of aging are no exception…

If you are feeling a little raw or unsure with your emotions from the impending loss or the loss of your pet, keep in mind that what you are feeling is normal…

Burt is an anxiety ridden cat. He didn’t start out that way. He was a small puff of gray fur that cuddled into my warm embrace. I remember his little cat body jumping on my son’s vinyl record player and taking a spin round and round.

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…