Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Petlife.

My Pandemic Puppy Saved Me
I adopted Barker from a local shelter in September 2020. I was told that he was the runt of his litter. The entire litter ended up being born at the shelter, when the breeder unfortunately contracted Covid-19 shortly after the female dog got pregnant. I was told she had underlying health conditions, and, sadly, passed away due to the illness. She owned both the male and the female dogs, and had never had the chance to post an add to sell the puppies. She apparently had no next of kin, so all the dogs went to the shelter, where the female dog gave birth.
By Joyce Kay5 years ago in Petlife
Two Dogs Are Better Than One
When my first dog Cooper passed on May 19/2019 at the age of thirteen from lymphoma, I felt like I never wanted another dog again. I was so absolutely heartbroken. Cooper was like my kid and I didn't know what to do without him. My emotions were a mess and I fell into a deep depression.
By Xennariel Revenlyr5 years ago in Petlife
"I'll Take Them All"
The bright Carolina sun caused Maria to squint as she looked out the car window. What was that mess on the side of the road? Was it really a dog crate full of puppies or was she crazy? Maria couldn't believe it, she wasn't crazy. "For Sale $50 each," the sign on the dog crate read. The dog crate that had one mama and five puppies crowded into it. Maria's heart sank. She pulled over and shut off her car. She instinctively picked up her phone and dialed Heidi.
By Jamie Lynn Wilson5 years ago in Petlife
When a Chinese Hooded Rat Won My Heart
I rescued a rat. There was a time I had wanted a snake as a pet. I went out and found a young Boa Constrictor at a pet store. I brought him home and took the advice of the pet shop employee on how to care for the snake. That was a mistake. Had I purchased a care guide, I would have known it was better and safer for the animal and myself to use frozen rodents to feed the snake. Obviously, not while still frozen, but the best way was to avoid using live rodents. I did not realize this and believed the teen aged pet shop employee that feeding the snake live mice was best.
By Tom Stasio5 years ago in Petlife
The Kitten with Mittens
It was the Summer of 2020. Covid had become the norm at this point, and more and more time was being spent at home. Although strictly speaking I was an indoor kind of gal anyways. I would much rather trade a night out on the town for a cozy night at home, cuddled up with my cat Puddin’. The little furry love of my life. Puddin’ my thirteen-year-old blue-eyed sweetheart. It had just been Puddin’ and I for over a decade. Being a cat lover, I always thought I would have multiple feline friends, but Puddin’ never got along well with other kitties. I never thought in a million years there would be another creature coming into my life. Well, I was wrong. This is the story of Remmington Mittens.
By Chelsea Westbrook5 years ago in Petlife
Diamond
"Heaven!, What's that in your hands?" I was walking toward her trying to get a closer look but I couldn't quite see what she was holding. Whatever it was it was practically falling out of her arms. The closer she got the better I could get a look to see the hair that it had all over it's body and the "Meow".
By K. Waterss5 years ago in Petlife
Unforeseen Happenstance
I check the time on my phone and jump up. The studio is about to close. Quickly gathering my art supplies and canvas, I lock the door behind me and make my way to the front of the Fine Arts building. I still need to walk across campus and by this time all the shuttle buses have stopped running. Stepping into the dark night I realize it’s raining, it must have started sometime in the afternoon without me noticing. It’s my own fault and lacking a proper jacket or an umbrella I start my long walk back to the residence. There is no one around and everything is quiet except for the thunder in the distance and water splashing at my feet.
By Sofia5 years ago in Petlife
Rocky
The year 2001 in the month of June, a sunny day perfect for a picnic at the nearby park. We brought along blankets, food, toys, and drinks. As we enjoyed the day, we had our meal rested under the shade of the trees, then began a game of catch.
By Claudia Rodriguez5 years ago in Petlife
My Dog Dag
My Dog Dag Scott Jarrett As I sat looking out the bay window practicing the drums, the neighborhood middle-schoolers would gather outside to listen, and Roscoe my cat would vomit his way around the living room suffering from cat Leukemia. Sometimes I would invite the kids in for a bit to listen, but with Roscoe’s illness I didn’t really want to expose them to his struggles, or he to theirs.
By Scott Jarrett5 years ago in Petlife
From hell to home
Hungry. Thirsty. Tired. In pain. In so much pain you can't even relieve yourself. That was Nala. She was in a dark place. A home that didn't care for her. A dirty cell called a cage. Never cleaned or maintained, and the dog inside, never loved.
By John Davis5 years ago in Petlife
Cali Colombia and Cali the Dog
Before that trip to Colombia I had never loved an animal. I didn’t really care for them. I’d had a bunny, a couple lizards, a couple of rats, a few different pesky cats, and even a Golden Retriever when I was a young boy. All were the same to me though. They were just there. I’d feed them and do what you do, but they never brought much joy to me and certainly not any feeling close to love. I had loved a few very special women though, and that was how I reasoned to myself that I was not completely emotionally underdeveloped. Usually my relationships ended in a fiery, painful exodus that was always my fault. And that’s how my relationship prior to my escape to Colombia ended as well. I’d been seeing a thin and gentle redhead named Hannah for a few months when late on a Thursday night (plane tickets are cheapest on Thursdays, I thought) I booked a one way ticket to Cali, Colombia. I had no special reason to go there. It was just the cheapest, farthest flight I could find from San Francisco. There were tears and genuine pain when I’d told her that I was leaving, and I felt bad. But, I had to go for reasons I didn’t even truly understand. I needed to leave.
By Raisin Brazon5 years ago in Petlife
Dora, my explorer.
The day I found my beautiful Dora, was the day I knew my heart was finally full. It was just a normal day for me, wandering into the pet store on my home to get some treats for my other two boys, Gus and Boo. I happened to walk past the Rescue Centre they had in store, and though to myself, "It can't hurt to just have a look, could it?".
By Sammie Mosby5 years ago in Petlife