Our dogs join us in so many parts of our day in so many places: our homes, friends’ homes, yards, dog parks, beaches, and outdoor trails. And while our dogs walk, run, and jump around with us, they come into contact with dozens of different house plants, trees, garden plants, and more as they’re out…
Nothing special, just some gum and maybe a chocolate bar. On my way home, I stopped by this small corner store, the kind that still has handwritten price tags and the recognizable dusty scent of old candy wrappers. I debated between grape and mint while waiting by the refrigerator because there were two people in…
The journey was meant to be brief. Get a snack, fill up with gas, and resume your journey. To be honest, I didn’t even want to stop in that dusty tiny town halfway through the twelve-hour drive to assist my sister with her transfer. The only gas station nearby was a dilapidated hut with a…
When we walked into that city council chamber, I never expected anything to change. I wasn’t there to speak; I was simply showing up to support funding for the service animal program. What I didn’t expect was that a quiet moment, one that seemed insignificant at first, would turn into something life-changing for my son…
Imagine a loyal police dog—trained, fearless, and dedicated—sidelined by injury after years of service. Max, a German Shepherd once known for chasing down criminals and saving lives, now limps quietly in retirement, his spirit dimmed by the loss of purpose. Now imagine this: Elon Musk, the tech visionary known for rockets and electric cars, hears…
I followed the directions. The house was run-down but familiar in a way I couldn’t explain. Inside, I found a box with photos—pictures of me as a child. Playing in a yard. Hugging a puppy that looked exactly like Blue. A second letter revealed the truth: this was my childhood home. After my parents passed…
Stolen bread—but he became my best friend. He’d greet me at the door, lay his head on my lap, and comfort me without a word.One day, on a walk, Rufus ran into an alley where a little boy was crying after getting lost. Rufus comforted him until we reunited the boy with his mom. It…
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of 18-year-old J.J. Rice’s untimely passing. This talented young man was set to represent Tonga’s kitefoiler team at the Paris Olympics this summer. J.J. would have not only been a remarkable athlete but also the first Caucasian to represent Tonga at the Olympics. Kitefoiling, an…
His name patch said Lucky, but I don’t think he felt like that in the moment. We were at the biker charity event—my sister dragged me along, said it was for a good cause and there’d be free hot dogs. I didn’t know what to expect. Just a parking lot full of leather jackets, big…
I was never meant to be on that train. After a tearful night outside my ex’s apartment, clinging to a relationship I should’ve let go, I hit a breaking point. On impulse, I bought the first ticket out of town—destination unknown—just to breathe again. That’s when I saw the dog. A golden retriever, calm and…