Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Petlife.
Boss Cat
Big Baby Girl: AKA Big Boss Lady By: Madison Ann Hawkins "Show me the baby!" is a common phrase people use when greeting a loved one who just delivered a fun-sized human being. The excitement, the giddiness, the proud tender moments usually captured on film when displaying their little bundle of joy. There is this sense of pride when you become parents, no matter how you came to be. Doesn't really matter in the end, does it? If they are yours, you love them, and do what you can to provide them the best life and opportunities to succeed. I may not want kids, but I understand; honestly, I understand the hype of showing off your love-child however they came to be in your arms. Why? In 2019 my partner and I adopted a kitten. The most beautiful, full set of hair, chunky cheeked, adventurous, and cutest green-eyed baby girl you ever did see. Have I lost you? Did I just compare having a kid to a pet kitten? Have I completely lost my mind? All the above questions could be answered with a solid yes. The last question especially, after these past two years, I think we all might be a little messed up in the noggin. During the pandemic, I was "promoted" to a stay-at-home cat mom as an occupation title. At least that's what her dad and I like to say because it has a more uplifting tone than "I became unexpectedly unemployed." I will explain this situation more in-depth below, so please, stay with me here.
By Madison Ann Hawkins4 years ago in Petlife
Princess Olive
Ever since I moved out of my parents’ house, I felt a void in my heart. I soon moved in with my boyfriend, but there was still something missing. When I finally decided that I needed a dog to feel my void, I was anxious. Part of me was worried that I would not be able to care for an animal and that I would not have the time to give an animal the attention they would need. The last thing I wanted to do was get a dog and not be able to properly provide for her. That would just be cruel.
By Marissa Hall4 years ago in Petlife
The EmPAWyees and EmHoofyees
I wear many hats. I am a full-time wife and full-time mom to two rambunctious boys. This alone would be enough, but I am also a full-time farmHer (love the term) at Tucker Acres. I do this on top of being a part-time veterinary technician (animal nurse) and a part-time writer.
By Shelley Wenger4 years ago in Petlife
Angel From Heaven
I lived in a single wide mobile home that was a gift from God. I had a partner at the time, and Lord help his dumb witted soul, for he literally thought that the color of water was blue. Let's just say he even put grease in a frying pan made for eggs. I watched him every day and saw how he treated Maria. He would hold her head down and aggressively attacked/rubbed her belly too hard just to make her mad. I did not like this at all. So, one day I decided I had enough of his torture and stupidity and kicked him out, but told him I was keeping his cat, Maria. Maria was a special kind of pet. She was just like me a loner; we went for car rides and sat on the front porch together. Sometimes she just went to the bedroom by herself and went to bed just wanting to be left alone. She would even sit on the couch arm and sit in my spot in the living room so she could be to be close to me. When I was in pain or not in a good mood she knew, and she would come and lay beside me to comfort me in my time of need. We both knew that we loved each other and we were very happy. Now Maria was different. You would think most cats don't like baths, but Maria knew when it was bath time, and she would sit in the bathtub. She would get bathed and get out, but she would be mad which is a normal for a cat. She wouldn’t fight me or anything as normal cats would attack you for putting them in the water. For 6 years going on 7, I had the blessing and honor to be in her presence. She was an angel sent from God to me. One day I had to make the most horrible decision of euthanizing her because she had become so sick and was in a lot of pain. Since the day I rescued this little sweet angel from a person that really didn't treat her like she was meant to be, I had to step in and take her in my loving arms to show her what love was. That's when six years of my life became very special to me. It made me feel as if I was put here on earth to do something right for once. This choice I made was my best decision yet in life. She brought happiness into my life when I needed it the most. She was always by my side or under my feet in the car. She would make it known to everyone that she was daddy's baby girl. Then one day the worse thing possible happened. Maria couldn't breathe on her own, and she was drooling from the mouth. The look of death was in her sweet little eyes. This was a look I never thought I would see, and a face I never could dream of seeing again. I rushed her to the vet and the doctor knew just by looking at her something terrible was wrong with my Maria. I could tell by the sound of the doctor’s voice that it was Maria’s time; her time to be what she was meant to be, an angel sent to help me when I needed help the most. I held her head and I begged God to take her home, to make her happy like I did. I asked Him to watch over her every second of each day, and I thanked him for the gift that he had given me while it lasted. I told Maria that I loved her and always will love her no matter what. I love my beloved Maria and I will NEVER change that. R.I.P Maria Rodriguez Toliver. Daddy loves you.
By Tyler Toliver4 years ago in Petlife
Our Love Story is Over...For Now
Our love story began on September 10, 2010. I was just scanning the pages of our local newspaper when I came upon an ad. A very tired Mother of five children was looking to find a forever home for her Chihuahua. I wasn't even thinking about adopting a dog, cat, horse or anything at that time. It just happened. There was a tingling in my hands and a flutter in my heart. I knew he belonged with me. Milo, you were living only five blocks away from us. This fact was the glue that sealed the envelope in my mind that we belonged together.
By Teresa Wegrzyn4 years ago in Petlife
Canine Culture
The first thing I ever noticed about Sage was her underbite—proud, prominent, perpetual. Second was her set of beautiful, bulging eyes the color of a caramel blondie or the Sahara Desert at sunrise. On a quiet workday in April, as I had been searching through numerous pictures of adoptable dogs on a website for a West L.A. animal rescue, I immediately stopped scrolling when I caught sight of the seven-pound pup called “Eggs” (which I later learned was in theme with the approaching Easter holiday). I proceeded to watch her adoption video, which really should have been called “audition video” since she was a class act—an amalgam of Gloria Swanson—a spritely, dramatic dame ready for her closeup, Amy Poehler—a comedy-savvy firecracker, and Audrey Hepburn—a wise and loving little treasure. “Eggs” wiggled with gusto and urgency in the arms of the volunteer holding her and effortlessly wagged that six-inch tail of hers. As the camera went into a close-up, zeroing in on that tail, I saw a tiny patch of white fur on the tip that looked like a speck of cream amidst her pumpkin spice latte-colored coat. That was it. I was done searching. I had to meet “Eggs”—and only “Eggs.” That evening after work, I drove as fast as L.A. traffic would let me to the animal rescue, where I met the ball of curious, unbridled energy, renamed her “Sage” (as I sensed her unspoken wisdom would somehow change my life), and walked out the door with her in under an hour. When I brought her home to my studio apartment, she excitedly ran around in circles as if to scream: “I’m free!” She surely knew that, as well as the fact that she was finally and irrevocably home.
By Jessica Mollo4 years ago in Petlife
PEPPA The Frug
Welcome. "Sweetie," We said to Peppa. When my hubby Luke and I first got her, she was overwhelmed. Like most rescue dogs, she had some issues. A lot. She was trained to do her business outside, though, so that was a plus. But that was where it ends.
By A L Luna-Raven4 years ago in Petlife
The Three Amigos
I nominate Ace, Moses and Frankie (from left to right) as my EmPAWyee's of the month. Each of these dogs have a special story that endear them to my heart. Like many people during this pandemic I'm working from home, so I set up my office in our sunroom. I am a quality engineer for a semi-conductor company, and I spend most of my days in Microsoft Teams meetings, creating trainings, and completing paperwork. Sometimes my days are tedious and monotonous but whenever I look to my left and see these three just relaxing on the couch enjoying their life it brings so much joy to my heart. These three came to us in different ways and they have distinctly different personalities, but I couldn't imagine life without them now.
By Sherry Little-Ragan4 years ago in Petlife
Fang. The Mojave Ball Python.
(Picture) From left to right (row by row). Blizzard is a Boa. Luna is a rat snake x corn snake. Calypso is a Albino Het. Pied Ball python. Sidious is a Peruvian rainbow boa. Fang is a Mojave ball python. Severus is a Okeetee corn snake. Winchester is a Hypo half/ Dwarf Burmese python. Oggy is a Hognose (we call her Oggy the Hoggy) and Grogu is a Aru x Sorong green tree python.
By Megan Nagel4 years ago in Petlife
