There is a distinct type of grief that comes with not having the idyllic relationship you assumed would come with pet ownership. When you don’t feel that “ connection ,” it’s normal to feel a sense of disappointment and mourning for what you expected pet parenting to look like.  This is a real struggle for many pet owners, and it’s only reinforced when we see only perfectly behaved, adorable pets portrayed in popular media. I liken it to body shaming for humans, and it’s a se

Photo by Natasha Cara Animal rescue is exhausting, to put it mildly. We encounter situations that cause us to question humanity, and it takes a heavy emotional toll to see pets being discarded like an outfit that has gone out of style. Pet overpopulation is at crisis levels, and healthy animals are being euthanized simply because there isn't enough space to house them. I understand why people are angry and quick to judge those who surrender their pets, but somewhere along the

The Facebook post that led me to Fred (he sounds like an angel, right)? You might be surprised to know there is a phenomenon known as the “puppy blues.” It refers to feelings of depression, anxiety, or overwhelm while adjusting to life as a pet parent. You went into pet ownership assuming it would be pure bliss, but it’s turning out to be a nightmare (or at least a really bad dream you can’t wake up from). The thing is, these “blues” can arise anytime a new pet is introduced

Photo by Erin Scott When Sharla set out to get a dog, she assumed he would lie beside her on the couch, run along the beach, sit underneath an outdoor table at Starbucks while she worked, and hop into the car for a ride to the dog park. This is what we see on TV, right? We’re surrounded by images of face-licking, tail-wagging, running off into the distance to catch a ball off-leash dogs. I call it the “Hallmark Dog Syndrome” and liken it to body shaming toward humans — only t

Millie - photo by Elizabeth Weiner It started as the typical rebound relationship. I had been there before, so I should have recognized...

Photo by Author Millie died one year ago, and I am only now in a place to write about her. I intended to do so for some time but was too...

I’ve always been obsessed with Hallmark movies: Their idyllic towns, beautiful actors, perfect families, and predictable happy endings transport me to my happy place where I forget reality in a neat 2-hour package. I’m well aware that these movies are far removed from real life and perpetuate traditional beauty stereotypes. Still, it’s nice to shamelessly indulge in my adult version of make-believe once in a while. Among the obvious stereotypes, there is one so insidious I di

Photo by Yaroslav Shuraev from Pexels I carried an umbrella with me knowing there was a possibility of light rain, but I could never have...

Photo credit unknown — Widely circulated on the internet for many years This poem simultaneously infuriates me and breaks my heart. It's...