Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Petlife.
Furry Little Life Lesson
It was my sixteenth birthday. Like many other teens, I wasn’t always the greatest person to be around – too much angst and drama, and a serious lack of consideration and patience. On that day I was in the living room when my dad came home. He told me that his coworker had found me a birthday present, and that the box was in his car.
By Samantha Blake6 years ago in Petlife
My Three-Legged Friend
I first met this gorgeous cat back in the summer of 2017. My family had just moved into a new house and this cat appeared through the hedge and greeted us with a small "meow". After owning a cat when I was younger, I was happy knowing our new home had a feline friend in the area.
By Leigh Hooper6 years ago in Petlife
Can Dogs Eat Vegan and Vegetarian Meals?
We all want the best for our furry friends, whether we’re buying them hypoallergenic dog food or a new collar that matches their personality. The topic of vegan and vegetarian meals for dogs has garnered attention lately, attracting Google search interest scores of up to 100 over the last year, as you can see in the graph below. This is likely due to the growing number of vegans and vegetarians across the UK — statistics report there were 600,000 vegans in the UK in 2019, so it isn’t surprising to learn that we’re considering this diet shift for our furry friends too. After all, if we want the best for them, we must find out if what is good for us is good for them too.
By Fay McFarlane6 years ago in Petlife
Meet My Lion Head Rabbit Mrs. Nipples
When you meet my Lion head rabbit you are definitely meeting a bunny with an attitude. She is full of spunk and free spirit. And if you are doing something she does not like she will certainly let you know that. She is also so sweet and she loves to cuddle. I got her from a breeder about 3 months ago. She was 8 weeks old when I got her so I have been raising her from a baby. I had my choice between a larger Rex rabbit and her. She was so adorable that I chose her to take home with me and we have been friends every since.
By Adriane Kirby6 years ago in Petlife
To the moon and back.
Finding Luna (who was previously named Roxy) was no stroke of luck. One night on a walk home from being out having a drink with a friend in Surry Hills, Sydney, I came across a sad and clearly neglected dog wandering aimlessly through busy inner-city streets. It seemed that she had just had a litter of puppies, and perhaps even more heartbreaking was that she was dumped, like trash, in a terrifying new environment full of danger. This stray dog was lost, and I can still feel the terror that she felt. Her nails were like talons, having not been clipped. Her ears were bloody. Her skin dry and flakey. She waddled up to me, and looked me in the eyes and asked me for help. She let me take her home so I could feed her and keep her warm for the night - and it was made very clear she had not been shown any kindness for a long time. In NSW, if a stray dog is taken to the pound and the owner does not claim their dog, they become the property of the pound. Due diligence by the folk at the pound meant they had to contact the owners who had treated her as trash - "we gave that thing away years ago". Those seven words have rung clear in my mind ever since the woman at the pound told me over the phone what her previous owners had said about her. She is not a 'thing' or a possession. Now, when I found Luna, I was not at all equipped to have a dog - but that's the beauty of this story; nothing made logical sense, but gave that gut feeling when you know it's what you have to do. Two weeks passed, and after a visit to the pound to check in on her, it was official. She was my new best mate with a brand new name that seemed fitting. Unfortunately Luna clearly lived a life as a breeding dog, and the scars on her face and sunken black eyes told a story of pain and angst. Her anxieties were something I could never have been prepared for, but giving her the space and time to rest and just 'be a dog' again has allowed her to heal, recover and bounce back. She is my world. The brightest light on my darkest days. I have shaped my life around her, and meeting her sparked a passion for rescue that has opened new career opportunities and introduced me to so many life long friends. I told her when I adopted her that she would be safe, and that I would make the res of her days as happy as I could. She's just turned 12, and is enjoying her golden years by my side. The funny thing about 'saving' Luna was that she doesn't and won't ever realise how difficult adopting a dog has made things for me (like applying for a house to rent and live, or planning holidays, or grabbing coffee with friends) - but that is exactly how it should be. She makes the superficial things in life seem less important and has told me to focus on relationship that fulfill your heart and soul. She deserves nothing but love and compassion. Ironically, she was the one who 'saved' me, and has pulled me out of deep, dark holes countless times. Meeting Luna on a cross road - on a full moon - at midnight - was a sign; we were meant to be together and destined to tackle life as a team. I only wish that everybody could find their Luna in life, and to learn the true meaning of life - compassion.
By Chris Croker6 years ago in Petlife
Sweet Creature
I remember when I first met you. I had come over to surprise your mama in an act of love. And you were there because you were always there. Looking back, I realize that meeting you was even more important than meeting her parents. Because you are her heart externalized. We both understood: if I can love you, then she knows that I can love her.
By Pallavi Juneja6 years ago in Petlife
Out of the Dog's Mouth
Hello. Do you like my picture? I am thirteen years old in this picture, and I'm still looking good, don't you think? This is my story, a story of my life with my master as seen through my eyes, and why I love the person I call my master (or mother), and how we came to know each other and learn from each other.
By Denise Willis6 years ago in Petlife
