Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Petlife.
From impulse puppy to hired security
Almost two years ago, in a bout of depression and loneliness, I went to the local shelter "just to look". I've done this countless times, to give love to the misunderstood dogs, the one-eyed kittens, but never left with a pet.
By Cheyenne Rhoads4 years ago in Petlife
Five Rescue Stories In One House
When my stepson was about six years old, he asked if we could go to the shelter and get a cat. That was in 2015. After looking around, my husband decided that it wasn't quite the right time, and I rather agreed with him. When we left the second shelter, my stepson had tears in his eyes. I tried to comfort him as best I could.
By Ashley McGee4 years ago in Petlife
For “EmPAWyee” of the month, the worst co-worker I’ve ever had
Whenever I sit down at my desk, my dog Rosie lets out a little sigh. From her bed, positioned on the floor next to and slightly behind the pink armchair I work from, she shifts her body so her back is to me. She’s incensed whenever I do anything that keeps my hand more than 2 ft away from her snout, and she wants me to know it. After about an hour of work, Rosie, fed up with being deprived of attention, turns her big brown head to me and lets out an “errrr.” This is my alarm, every hour on the hour, reminding me to take a break—my own living enforcement of the Pomodoro method. I finish up what I’m doing, get on the floor next to her, and rub her belly until she she’s smiling again.
By Neida Mbuia Joao4 years ago in Petlife
Otto
The infamous 2020. Among the horrors and fears, the loneliness and the uprootings, we also saw a complete change in lifestyles. People were doing things they had never done before and doing things they had done before, but in completely new ways. I was one of those people.
By Alanna Blau4 years ago in Petlife
Sarah RIP 9-16-08 to 8-27-21
She was NOT supposed to be my dog. I need to get that out of the way first so you can understand how I am even able to do this (though not without tears). Also you need to know I love all animals, but I am more of a cat person. (I also lost my cat shortly before Sarah passed)
By Jennifer Yarborough 4 years ago in Petlife
My Furry Friends
In the woods, cold, dark, windy. Casted away, Abandoned. My feline friends forgotten. In a cardboard box i found them. So small and apprehensive to my welcoming hand. You were so young, how could you know. That this place. Yes, this place would be called your new home and we became your loving brood. Entering the doorway with wide eyes, and teeth bare.
By Alaizha Doye4 years ago in Petlife
Kermit the Pug
We adopted Kermit in 2013 from Homeward Bound Rescue when he was 5. He came to us obsessed with his small chuck-it ball that he would kick around (and under things like the couch so we would have to retrieve it) or bury and unbury in a blanket endlessly. We would have to put it out of reach so that he would settle. He also, like most pugs, was highly food motivated. He loved squeaky toys and burrowing under blankets and was the best squishy cuddler.
By Jamie Stark 4 years ago in Petlife
Walter the Wonder Horse
It was a cold winter evening in 1992 when I first met Walter. I instantly disliked him because he kept me at the barn 2 hours longer than I had planned that night. I was filling up water buckets about 9:00 pm after riding my mare and was rushing to get home when I was startled to discover a horse behind me. Tiptoeing. I figured I must have forgotten to close his door when I filled up his water. I was wrong. I caught him quickly and put him back in his stall and made sure he was locked up tight then continued to fill the remaining water buckets. 2 minutes later he was behind me again. Tiptoeing. I spent the next 2 hours chasing him in a round barn trying to catch him but he managed to get through every blockade I set up. I was not happy. The next night it happened again and when I looked back at this tall lanky bay gelding, tiptoeing behind me, I saw my old horse Monte in his eyes. I rode Monte in Texas and he was the only other horse I know who could escape, tiptoe, and let his friends out of their stalls. They had the same exact eyes. I instantly knew in that moment that Walter was going to be trouble. And he was.
By Arlene Drummond4 years ago in Petlife
The Annual Review
Rabbit Retail is a small business that was started at the height of a global pandemic, thanks to a dream and the loss of a job. Rabbit Retail, as the name suggests, sells all things rabbit. For your rabbit. For you with a rabbit on it. Just all the rabbit things. Rabbit Retail is now 1 whole year old, so it’s time for the first ever annual review. A lot can change in a year so the very first task on the agenda is a staff head count.
By Rebecca harmsworth4 years ago in Petlife
Like cats and dogs
I had never had pets before, but I did have bosses. Many bosses. At work I have usually had more bosses than employees. I have also been a boss but, regardless of how far I grew professionally, I still had more bosses above me than subordinates below. It was a constant.
By Antonio Soto Patiño4 years ago in Petlife
Harvey
I can remember it like it was yesterday. If I close my eyes I can even still feel the cool late October air and hear the light rustling of leaves. I was sitting in the driveway of an old friends house, bundled up in my jacket but shivering because I was wearing shorts and trying to keep my legs warm as I sat legs crossed, deep in conversation with my childhood friend. I know that you were cold too, but I prefer to remember the story as this, you saw me shivering and so you crawled up into my lap to keep me warm. This small beat up ball of fur with gigantic green eyes and a purr box that sounded like a motor boat. I had no idea in that moment all that was to be in store for us. The joy, laughter and tears. They have all been worth it though. Every single step of the way.
By Michelle Paiva4 years ago in Petlife
