The spring often brings a time of renewal. This year, we decided to celebrate our animal companions who greet us with unabashed attention and who we care for day in and day out. Enjoy advice and sweet stories by these seasoned animal companions.
Meet Nettie and Tigre
Nettie and Tigre have been together for over 7 years. Tigre found her in the yard. One tuna can later and the partnership was permanent. When asked to tell about a favorite adventure Nettie had this to say:
“Tigre was missing for 4 days a few months after we had our daughter. We couldn’t find him. I finally heard a faint meow meow meow. Tigre was locked in the neighbor’s basement…I snuck into the neighbors’ yard and opened the basement door and rescued him. For the last 6 months, Tigre brings us mice at night. He brings them in our bathtub, and plays with them for about an hour and then eats them. He is a good mouser!”
When asked to share the impact of how Tigre has influenced her life. Nettie had this to say:
“Ahhhh. Tigre. You have made our life lighter. You are also our daughter’s good buddy!”
Nettie advises folks who are seeking a pet partner to let your pet find you.
Meet Russ and Atticus
Russ and Atticus have been together for a few years. Atticus was fostered without permission by Russ’s ex. The story goes his initial response was “Oh no! Take this thing back,” 5 days later he was in love and they are inseparable. The devotion is evident in the following story:
“We [Atticus and Russ] took a really long hike and he got tired and I had to carry him in my arms for four miles.”
When asked to share how Atticus has changed life for Russ, he had this to say:
“Apart from being my lil‘ furry best friend and listening to all my problems and being SO excited when I come home, he has also been great for my social life. People flock to me…mainly because Atticus is usually found within several feet of me.”
Russ advises folks who are seeking a pet partner to remind them they cannot have Atticus! Additionally,
“Don’t let that whole ’I’m not ready for a dog, it wouldn’t be fair to the dog’ nonsense stop you. When you rescue an animal – and you will rescue it, because compassion – you’re literally saving its life. It’s always fair to save an animal’s life. And even better, it’s rewarding.
Some of us have those pets that stay alive in our hearts long after they have passed from this world. These next stories showcase pet partnerships that stand the test of time.
Meet Lindsay and Rascal
When Lindsay was in the 7th grade she and her mom, sister, and other dog Kyla drove to a place near Watsonville to pick up a Jack Russell puppy. He was so super tiny he fit in the palm of 7th grader Lindsey’s hand. They picked him for his calm and sweet puppy nature. Proven horribly wrong by his strong attack instinct against ducks, squirrels, deer, birds, gophers, baby raccoons, skunks, big dogs…he went after them all and was affectionately referred to as “Killer” by the family. When asked to tell us about her favorite adventure Lindsay had this to say:
“So many good memories with Rascal – he lived 16 years full of adventure! One favorite is taking him swimming at Crissy Field. He was a terrible swimmer but thought he was fully capable, and we almost lost him in the (very tiny) waves as he chased another dog’s tennis ball and swam in circles. I had to wade in and catch him by the neck to get him back to shore.”
Lindsay advises folks who are seeking a pet partner that having a dog is a lot of work, but their hilarious personality and unconditional love make it worth it.
Meet Jess and Sasha
Jess and Sasha were together for most of Sasha’s 14 years. Baby Jess was born into Sasha’s life. Jess spent the rest of her childhood chasing Sasha around after she would jump over and out of her family’s 6ft backyard fence. When asked to share their best adventure together, Jess had this to say:
“The time she showed up at my elementary schoolyard and my classmates and I caught her and I marched her into the principal’s office to call my parents!”
Sasha provided a foundation of love and appreciation of dogs for Jess that has lasted her entire life. Jess offer this advice to folks seeking a pet partner:
“If you ever get a husky, make sure you live somewhere they can run and run and run!”
As Jess’s advice wards us to be conscientious of our pet partners breeds, and how we should aid them in living full and happy lives, these next two stories showcase how our pet partners teach us lessons and are invaluable contributions to our families.
Meet Kristopher and Starling
Starling and Kristopher have been in together for over 7 years. Starling was a breeder dog at Guide Dogs for the Blind. When asked to share about a wonderful adventure Kristopher reminisced about the time they attended a “graduation ceremony” together where some of her puppies were graduating from their training to be guide dogs for the blind and were being matched with their new partners. When asked to share how Starling has changed his life he had this to say:
“Her example of unconditional love and devotion teaches our entire family new things, every day. She is a vital part of our family and it is hard for all of us to even consider her not being with us at some point in the future.”
Kristopher advises that your life will change in many ways that you can not imagine when you partner up with a pet and that these same pets will provide you invaluable lessons.
Meet BJ and Bodhi
BJ and Bodhi have been together for 7 plus years. She explains below:
“I was in grad school working on my Masters in Social Work with a certificate in Animal Assisted Interactions. I had been waiting to get a dog until I was ready to “settle down” and also wanted one with whom I could do therapeutic work. Bodhi had been rescued from a high kill shelter and was looking for a forever home. His gentle temperament, quirky personality and goofy good looks hooked me and he’s been a great partner ever since!”
When asked to share one of her favorite adventures with Brohdi, BJ shares this amazing story:
“Bodhi is a Chocolate Lab, but he’s never had much use for some of the typical retriever activities like retrieving and swimming. When I was 8 months pregnant with our first kiddo, Bodhi and I spent a lot of time at the Cherry Creek dog park outside of Denver, where there are acres upon acres of grassy fields, rivers, and ponds for canine cavorting. The waterways had rearranged themselves during a recent rainstorm and while running happily through a creek, Bodhi accidentally ran himself straight into a pond. Before he could change course, he found himself unexpectedly afloat. He floundered to a log in the middle of the pond and stood there shuddering in terror. After repeated calls, lots of encouragement from humans and dogs alike, and promises of treats, he still wouldn’t budge. So, I waded into the pond up to my bulging baby belly and carried him to the safety of the shore. It was a great lesson for many of the adventures in parenting that were waiting just around the corner!”
BJ alludes to the lessons that Bohdi has taught her and digs deeper when asked how he has changed her life for the better she describes Bohdi as her rock and says:
“His patience, acceptance and unbridled enthusiasm are a daily lesson of what’s really important in life. He’s been a gentle brother to 2 cats and 2 kids, an understanding companion to clients in youth detention facilities and child mental health centers, and an amazing buddy on all kinds of outdoor adventures. I am super grateful that we found each other!”
BJ encourages folks seeking pet partners to take their time to find one that’s a good fit for your temperament and lifestyle. She adds that although animals enhance your lifestyle they need a lot of attention too.
We are so grateful to work with responsible animal lovers and companions.
Thank you for taking the time to read!
