Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Petlife.
7 Tips for New Breeders
Just like with human birth, there are things about birthing puppies that just don't make it into literature! Maybe it's due to the graphic nature of the topic, or perhaps the authors are such old hands that they don't think to put these things in. Either way, here are the top seven things I learnt when birthing my first litter, that they didn't tell me about:
By Lexi Lloves8 years ago in Petlife
From Abandonment to 'Furever' Home
It is hard to believe that anyone would want to abandon an animal. It is hard to believe that maybe maternal instinct sometimes does not click in the animal kingdom. We are inundated with animal welfare media, whether it is the gut-wrenching ASPCA commercials, the posts on Facebook on lost animals, the news articles online about animal cruelty offenders actually going to jail (HURRAY!), and let us not forget the puppy mills and illegal trades. Of course—if you are like me—if you had the means, you would be going out there and rescuing every animal that has had such misfortune. But while the reality of living and financial needs keeps you from turning your tiny studio apartment from becoming a mini sanctuary for animals, sometimes your heartstrings will pull taut until you feel that they will absolutely snap and you will melt into a puddle of goo that says "GIVE ME, I WILL LOVE YOU!"
By Jennifer Kaspin8 years ago in Petlife
Best Dog Instagrams to Follow Right Now to Make Your Day Better
Between photoshopped bikini pictures and unrealistic expectations for nearly any aspect of life, not all social media influencers have to be toxic. Instead of filling your Instagram feed with unhealthy realities of internet stars, why not switch gears to something that most people can appreciate: dogs.
By Kelsey Lange8 years ago in Petlife
The Complete Guide to Adopting a Dog. Top Story - February 2018.
You wake up one morning and you want a dog! Great! But now what? Adopting a dog has changed as technology has advanced. Now instead of going to the local pound to get a dog, you can go online and look at hundreds of adoptable dogs. But how do you apply? And what are the things that they don't tell you about adopting a dog?
By Natalie Rose8 years ago in Petlife
How My Dog Saved Me from Depression
I hit the worst of my worst in June 2016. I was working at a non-profit foster care agency and just moved out on my own, away from my family. Don’t get me wrong, I loved working in foster care but the hours were demanding and there was tons of paperwork that I often got behind on. I also remember getting home after midnight and working a 22 hour shift one time. Every time I’d come home from work, I went straight to bed. I hardly ate and on the weekends I didn’t want to leave home. I became so numb and I didn’t express any feelings or emotions (except for sadness). My digestive system was messed up and made me very sick.
By Felicia Turner8 years ago in Petlife
Is Your Dog Fat...?
It can be a rather touchy subject for a lot of people, but the truth is, by spoiling our fur babies, we may actually be doing them far more harm then good. Nowadays, there is a rather weird attitude around dogs and their weight; a chubby dog is thought of as cute and adorable, etc., when in reality, allowing your dog to become overweight can be almost cruel. Our dogs can have many of the same side effects of being overweight that we can, such as diabetes, joint problems, skin problems, some cancers; it affects their mobility and general quality of life. Overweight dogs tend to have a much shorter life span and will likely end up costing you big time at the vet. Now, let's be clear—no dog owner is knowingly being cruel when they have an overweight dog. Like I said, there is a strange attitude around the subject and most people are just not knowledgeable about it. How can a few extra treats or some table scraps hurt them, right? Turns out more than you think.
By Kathleen Migneault8 years ago in Petlife
My Live-In Therapy Dog
I work in retail and sometimes I feel more like a punching bag than a person. As I drive up to my house after work, I see a little head with tall ears, looking out the front window. As I open the garage, park the car and open the door. I almost trip walking in the house. I look down and see these big round eyes staring back at me and a tail going a thousand miles per hour. "Hey mama, mama, mama, you're back!" I imagine hearing my dog saying. I love coming home to that face. He takes my mind off all the troubles of the day.
By Sarah Villanueva8 years ago in Petlife
Best Animal Documentaries on Netflix
As humans, we are basically animals—we're just a more intelligent form. And while all humans are living on the same planet, we're also living with other animals. From reptiles, mammals, birds, fish, and many more, our beautiful animal neighbors certainly bring life and make the planet so much more colorful. While some of us are terrified of certain animals, we still have to appreciate each and every single one of them, because they definitely benefit the planet. You may not think an alligator has any benefits, but it does... actually, probably not.
By Jennifer Violet8 years ago in Petlife
My First Best Friend
They didn’t want her. She was a mixed breed and not AKC like her pure-bred mother was. A stray from the street had decided to jump over their fence and impregnate their pure black Lab. My mother went over to their house and decided to pick one of the “free to a good home” pups. She wasn’t being fed properly and was desperate for attention. My heart always told me that if we hadn’t taken her, then they might have gotten rid of her by any means necessary. That pup refused to be left behind and stuck to my mother like glue, the entire ride home to our house.
By Jessica Beard8 years ago in Petlife
