Top Stories
Stories in Petlife that you'll love, handpicked by our team.
Don't Let 'Perfect' be the Enemy of 'Good'. Top Story - May 2026.
Any trainer--or anyone who owns multiple dogs over time--can tell you that for every dog that can count the chicken nuggets left in a package of ten, you're going to get three who get their foot stuck in their collar scratching at their ear. You buy a collie thinking that you're going to get a dog that can save Timmy from the well. What you end up with a dog that allows the Frisbee to smack her between the eyes and who thought she had to herd the bookcase into the corner. You know the type. The type that gets lost crossing the floor to the food dish. You despair that your dog will never learn how to sit, let alone achieve a straight automatic sit. A down-stay might as well be advanced algebra. You look at the Reels of Belgian Malinois crossing tightropes between buildings and of agility dogs and of obedience dogs that can clear a jump, pick up the right glove, and sing the second movement of Carmina Burana while making a beeline to a centered front without a hitch. And you think, "why can't I have that perfect dog?"
By Kimberly J Egan4 months ago in Petlife
The cat and the glass room. Top Story - May 2026.
Spring returns; birds chirping, wildflowers blooming. I reclaim my throne: A gigantic cat tree in the glass room, a recent gift from my main human. I watch wildlife for hours, blinking only to nap between bird songs. Beyond the glass, my second human scratches at my sleeping pad, “a laptop,” she insists, filling it with nonsense. I supervise, of course.
By Susan Fourtané 5 months ago in Petlife
Wisteria Woo RIP. Top Story - March 2026. Content Warning.
Wisteria Woo Silver~Rhodesian Ridgeback Cane Corso mix~ 7.19.15-3.2.26 My service dog, Wisteria, had been slowing down, having mysterious health symptoms like severe hives and unexplained injury. She went to the vet last month, but unfortunately, not all tests detect all problems. When we returned to the vet yesterday, upon much more concerning symptoms suddenly appearing, we learned she had a very large mass (10inx10in) likely the very aggressive hemangiosarcoma, and that we would only be buying a few months if we went through with treatment.
By K.B. Silver 7 months ago in Petlife
The Summer I Was Chosen by a Northern Mockingbird. Top Story - January 2026.
During the long, suspended days of the pandemic, a wild mockingbird began visiting my driveway and chose me, again and again. What started as a strange encounter became a brief, meaningful connection that I still carry with me.
By Erica Roberts 8 months ago in Petlife
A Dart at Dusk. Top Story - January 2026.
Seconds ago, the sullen sun set on the two of us… my exuberant furry companion and me. A fresh breeze embraces us, delivering welcome relief from the day’s oppressive heat. His typical stumbling and staggering along — apace with a sloth — has turned into trip-trapping, high-stepping, almost skipping along.
By Angie the Archivist 📚🪶8 months ago in Petlife
Cleo's First Puppy Show. Top Story - January 2026.
"How would you feel about doing the Corsicana show in November?" Kathleen asked me last September. Dog exhibitors speak in shorthand that way. It's easier to say "the Corsicana show" than it is to say the "North East Texas American Eskimo Dog Association Show." And yes, "North East." I guess "Northeast" shortened the name too much for some people's taste . . . But I digress. In response, I asked two of the three important questions that every exhibitor thinks, first thing.
By Kimberly J Egan9 months ago in Petlife
Keeping your pets safe (and calm) this holiday season . Top Story - December 2025.
The holiday season may be magical for some humans, but for pets it only means confusion, changed routines, overstimulation, extra noise, guests or pet sitters come and go, and sometimes the festive season means danger for pets.
By Susan Fourtané 9 months ago in Petlife
Cassidy's Walkabout. Top Story - November 2025.
This is, fortunately, a better post than I have a right to make today. Some of you know about my Australian Shepherd, Cassidy. He's generally out at night, keeping foxes and the occasional coyote away. He's a working-bred Aussie, but he thinks that he's a pack of Great Pyrenees. On occasion, Cassidy used to wander, finding or creating a hole in the fence and taking off to parts unknown. He has been very good in the past few months, no longer even barking at the school bus as it goes by. This morning, he was as quiet as could be when the high school bus and then the middle school bus passed the homestead.
By Kimberly J Egan10 months ago in Petlife
Moving.... Top Story - September 2025.
No one ever said that moving would be easy. You have to pack all your stuff and load everything into the moving vehicles. Then, after driving to the new location, you have to unload and unpack everything at the new location. While making sure not to forget to clean both houses as you go along. Plus, having to change your address and or phone number with EVERYONE.
By Mother Combsabout a year ago in Petlife
Cat Daddy. Top Story - August 2025.
So it’s early 2025 and my mental health is in a bad place because of a year’s worth of life baggage coupled with a history of trauma. While beginning a quest to heal myself internally I was made aware of the common notion that cats make for good companions that aid in the improvement of mental health. Eventually I started discussing this with my closest friend who actually has multiple cats, one of which was pregnant at the time and we had an idea that it might be good for me to adopt one of her soon to be newborn kittens to help with my spiraling mental health. The outcome? I have now become a cat dad to a kitten named Bagheera S’mores.
By Joe Pattersonabout a year ago in Petlife
