Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Petlife.
Fostering 101
Anyone can foster. Note: Almost anyone can foster. A traveling salesperson probably wouldn't be a good foster. Apart from that, I think that similar to working in retail or customer service, everyone should foster. Unless you absolutely hate animals or are allergic, or just an awful person, you can learn so much by fostering and become a better person for it. Or don't. That's fine too. Who I am to tell you how to live your life. But if you're someone like me who loves animals and never really thought about fostering or ever considered doing it, here are some lessons learned, good advice, food for thought, and personal insights to help you on your way.
By Maggie Gagliardi5 years ago in Petlife
Living With A Mocha
When my husband brought Mocha home we had no idea just how much our lives were about change. When I woke up that morning I called my husband to ask where he was. He told me he went to bring his aunt to one of her friend's house. A little while later he called me and asked me if I wanted to take care of a Chihuahua. My Nana had a Chihuhaha once, and his name was Santana. That little demon was horrible. He would attack anyone and everyone, so when he asked me if I wanted to take care of one I said not really because of my experience with Santana.
By Claudia Nicole Parker5 years ago in Petlife
Verduga
Growing up, we always had a cow. Usually, we just rented one from someone who had a lot of cows in exchange for raising the calf. Generally speaking, cows are docile and calm, but one year we got a cow named Verduga: the executioner, the hangman, the tyrant. Instead of coming out of her head and curving gently towards her front, the horns came out and twisted wildly as if they had been hit by a tornado. Instead of a gentle mooing, she made a sound more like the roar of an injured lion. Most cows are very protective of their calves for the first couple of weeks, but as the calf gets older the cow loses interest and soon a person can do just about anything they want to the calf without causing a scene. Verduga’s calf was almost a year old a time when most cows have already stopped nursing their calves, but still she protected him more fiercely than even the most devoted new mother.
By Robert Porter5 years ago in Petlife
One Good Friend
If you are lucky, you will have at least one really good friend. If you are really lucky, that friend will be a dog. For my wife that dog was Elroy, for me it was my Katie. As I recall I didn’t want to bring another dog into our household. We already had two dogs and a cat, and I didn’t think another one was needed. Elroy and Virgil were going on seven and I never experienced having a pup to grow up with. My wife knew if I would see the pups, I would want one. She made arrangements to see a litter of pups and we had second pick.
By Al Russell5 years ago in Petlife
Here's to you, Guinefort
Valeria Espinal saw the body of Guinefort laying in the street. The dog's butchered body had been in the street for a little over a week now, yet the stench of rot and decay was suprisingly absent. If it was not for the roses, prayer cards, rosaries, and other momento moris, one could easily mistake the pooch was just asleep, basking in the Dominican Republic sun. Valeria saw that one of the prayer cards said "Vaya con Dios, Guinefort." She sucked her teeth.
By Juan Vasquez5 years ago in Petlife
My Pet Ownership (Part 2)
Some pets stay with us for a long time, while others much shorter periods. After the loss of my Persian cat, (see Part 1) I did not want another pet of my own. However, in her infinite wisdom, my aunt gave me a Chihuahua for my twelfth birthday. As I was used to a large Alsatian, this tiny little thing seemed so fragile in comparison. I called her Poppet and cradled her in my arms most of the time. At the same time, my youngest sibling was maneuvering a baby walker around the house and bumping into everything, including everyone’s ankles. This would result in peals of laughter from him and screams of pain from us. Chasing Poppet became a great game and the poor animal would squeeze herself behind the sofa to escape. Unluckily, for Poppet, she was not always fast enough, and my baby brother would grab one of her back legs and swing her around before letting go. This was too much for me and my parents, so Poppet was returned to my aunt with thanks and an explanation that for her own safety it was best. I satisfied myself with our new Alsatian, also called Nikki and the puppies she produced, all thirteen of them for some time as well as the guinea pigs and rabbits.
By Mandy Eve-Barnett5 years ago in Petlife
My Pet Ownership (Part 1)
I have had pets of various sorts throughout out my life, each one gave me love in its own unique way. It also taught me that caring for another being is not to be taken lightly, no matter the trials and tribulations, I experienced while they were with me.
By Mandy Eve-Barnett5 years ago in Petlife
Animals and Cognition
Pets are a huge part of most of our society. They love us unconditionally for their entire lives. We are probably not worthy of them, but I believe we do the best we can by loving them and taking care of them everyday we share together. Part of caring for a pet involves a little insight into what makes them tick. This article is intended to serve as a thought provoker so you and your dog can maybe understand each other a little easier and both be better for it.
By Dan Sawyer5 years ago in Petlife
Beautiful Days
I didn’t know what I needed was a friend. One that loves you regardless of who, or what you were. It didn't matter if I had been mean, selfish, cruel, inpatient, or insecure. Not that I wanted to be any of those things, but sometimes I was. Those were ugly days. I felt ugly. I was ugly. Those days made it impossible to be around another person, another human. Yet, being lonely only compounded how long it took to dig out from under the shame and guilt from having behaved that way in the first place. Humans can forgive, but they still keep score.
By Elizabeth Livecchi5 years ago in Petlife
