Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Petlife.
Sigmund
He wasn’t one who often dealt with the soreness of his limbs after hard work. Hard work.. As if it was even close to being a physically gruelling activity. It was nothing short of a slight strain. But as the next hour curled around the longest finger upon his school-age wall clock, his arm seemed to ache like no other. Each word seemed to take more energy out of him than the last, a bead of sweat forming from his cheek as he monitored the pain that overcame him. The pain, at least, was familiar-- he had just never felt it so physically. To such an intensity that he felt a sickness overwhelming him.
By Tyler Barry5 years ago in Petlife
Brute's Little Black Book
Brute’s Little Black Book I just got in from work, I know Brute’s tiny bladder is ready to implode. I throw on some sweats and never miss a beat, I scoop meat head up like an NFL running back recovering a fumble headed for the end zone. We arrive at the park and take a brisk stroll along the perimeter. The cool breeze is refreshing, we go around twice after settling on a lakeside bench. We love to people watch at least I do Brute just loves being outside, my favorites are the pet owners. An old woman once scolded her poodle for being constipated. The strangest so far has been a half-naked woman with a Boa around her waist. She seemed spacey borderline insane, the snake seemed more like a hostage instead of a pet. If it slithers it would not be my first, second or any choice of pets. Brute runs back and forth along the bench poking his chest out, barking at everything that moves. Like a soldier guarding his piece of the park, wagging his stub, slobbering on everything. Not a care in the world as he marks his territory over and over. The first time I laid eyes on him, I was tipsy. I wasn’t sure if he was a ferret, a dog or a weasel, he was all bone, no meat. Corrine was fed up with her career and our relationship. She was strong enough to end the charades always the realist I would have dragged things out. During our breakup she confessed that she wanted to fall in love but love would hinder her career. I think I loved her I do know I deeply cared for her. Obviously not enough, I never tried to salvage what we had. When she stormed out, it hit me a few hours later, she was not coming back. I felt something not sure what, guilt or a broken heart. Whatever it was I tried to drown it with three bottles of red wine. I had no desire to be alone or sulk all weekend.
By Zoe Miller5 years ago in Petlife
Koda and the Little Black Book
It was a quiet morning while I was enjoying my breakfast outside of the cafe. I was alone with my laptop researching jobs and updating my resume. I had been recently let go from my position at a law firm because the attorney closed his office after retiring.
By Silvia C Corella5 years ago in Petlife
Where the Lilies Grow
I will never get used to losing pet. You want them to live forever and you do everything to show them you love them. But what can we do? That's life! We'll all leave this life one day. I just wish I could have prevented my poor Brairy from passing so suddenly. It hit me like a ton of bricks. He was playing one day, then the next day he fell ill. He was gone within a week. I always thought I would cremate him so he would always be with me. But I decided to bury him somewhere on my family's land.
By Kennett Taft5 years ago in Petlife
Perfection Is A Fig. Top Story - February 2021.
The hot July sun beams in through the open window, creating a patch of warmth that Fig happily stretches out on. He yawns lazily, waving his tail slowly back and forth, his fur warm to the touch. Oregon has been on a record stretch of heat, the suburban air scented coconut from sunscreen and summer cocktails enjoyed in the shade. Fig remains content in his heat-induced delirium, a level of relaxation one can only achieve after a lifetime of having nowhere to be and nothing to do. Voices downstairs pull Fig out of his summer daze, he squints his good eye open, wondering if it is worth investigating or not. He lost his left eye many years ago, when he was a kitten, in a fight over something he can’t remember. It took him months to build up the courage to look at himself, scared that such a disfigurement would be too much for others to accept. Now, most days, he likes being different, and he takes pride in the fact that his one eye contains more appreciation for art and culture than most cats have with two.
By Alexis Makepeace5 years ago in Petlife
Be more like Hem
When the fortune cookie said months ago that there would be "Great money coming my way" this year, to say I was skeptical, would be an understatement!! As I stare out the window, I pull out my black notebook; the shock still fresh, that I won $20,000!? That is the type of thing that happens to other people. Not to me. My luck usually consists of things like smashing the screen on my 2-day old cell phone (while waiting for my new phone case to arrive) or having someone rear end my 1-month-old SUV. Or working in the travel industry during the breakout of a Global Pandemic-one that inflicted a worldwide travel ban and forced the entire world into lockdown!!
By Ange D'entremont5 years ago in Petlife
