humanity
Isn't it ironic that the very best of humanity is seen through the love and empathy we show to our pets?
Skylar and the Book
It was an uneventful afternoon sitting by the hospital bed by my father, who was inevitably not going to be coming back home. My mother was sitting beside me weeping. The grim news that his transplanted kidney was septic came right before Halloween. My mother had a stroke before Thanksgiving the month before. Christmas was a complete uncertainty. Our family was truly on hard times. I was looking out the window of the rural single story hospital. In Texas, the winter weather doesn’t always feel like snowy fields and ice flurries, but more just dry and barren land and who knows what temperature. Especially in the “Hill Country” some call it here in central parts of Texas. Maybe it is just what some of my family and friends called it. I wanted to cry but I didn’t have any tears left. I felt a painful numb. To tell you the truth I’m not sure if the numbness was a blessing or a curse. On one hand I felt like I was too emotional at times and I needed to hold it together for my family. On the other hand I felt like not crying was a sign my heart was turning cold from a life of pain and suffering. Hardships were a familiar thing when it came to my life.
By Kristina Crawford5 years ago in Petlife
Hunter and Benson
Benson pushes his snout under Hunter’s face and lets out a big breath. Hunter opens his groggy 14-year-old eyes and stretches, yawning “Good morning, Benson.” Benson, a sturdy but sweet 130-pound bloodhound dog, stretches and yawns, too. Benson hops out of bed and lets out a massive howl. Ah, Benson’s howls. Benson’s howls are deep and calming, especially for Hunter. His morning howl is a suburban rooster, signaling the start of the day.
By lauren sisino freeman5 years ago in Petlife
Good Deed Unpunished
Kate felt as drab, soggy, and unendingly gray as the Virginia late winter mist she drove through. The landscape rarely varied; the smaller houses adorned with bigger satellite dishes she passed were splashed here and there with dirty snow the color of old nickels.
By Cat Needham5 years ago in Petlife
Spiders Are Definitely Cool, not Creepy
I think spiders are fascinating. I know a lot of people are scared of them, and that they can be deadly. I have had a few runs-in with them, and I warn you, if you are scared of them, the second part of this might be a hard read. Hopefully, however, I can help you see that they really are a great spirit animal to have come into your life.
By ExploringWriting5 years ago in Petlife
7 things you learn when a pet passes
The journey over the rainbow bridge comes all too soon for our beloved animals. Life is cruel in that way, it takes your best friend after so few years together and leaves you to carry on like nothing’s changed. But everything has changed and there are several things they can definitely teach us.
By Rebecca Haddock5 years ago in Petlife
The Cat
The therapist told me I should organize my thoughts, write them and reassemble them, he gave me this little black notebook to do that so here I am again smoking -again- leaning against this planter full of dead rotting flowers that no one tends to, in this crappy apartment complex outside my crappy apartment in this crappy episode of my lonely life.
By Michiko Baumgartner-Enei5 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
