humanity

Isn't it ironic that the very best of humanity is seen through the love and empathy we show to our pets?

Life With My Human
Life With My Human I wake up and paw at my snout, wipe my eyes, and stretch. I offer the idea of a little yoga by doing my downward doggies and tip toe in just a little closer awaiting for her eyes to open. That is when I know I am allowed to act all crazy, licking her face, and doing my little wiggle.
By Angela Gerber4 years ago in Petlife
Why Non-discrimination Begins with other Species
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” — Gandhi. The progress of animal-welfare legislation around the world demonstrates humanity’s moral progress. “To seek to reduce the suffering of those who are completely under one’s domination, and unable to fight back, is truly a mark of a civilized society,” according to moral philosopher Peter Singer.
By Ana Barreiro4 years ago in Petlife
Reunited
This story that I am about to tell you is made up of true events. It is very difficult to go back through these memories. I have stored them away in the very back of my counciousness and forgot about them. It is sometimes easier to forget painful memories. However, in order to heal we must sometimes remember the pain we have endured, the lesons we have learned and how we survived. This is the tale of a very true friend who endured lifes most painful event with me. Through it all he stood by my side and was the most faithful companion. This is not just one memory but how a dog saved me from the hardest challenge I ever had to face.
By Ashley Sindone4 years ago in Petlife
The Most Dangerous Breed
I can be a rambunctious and silly fellow. I do like smiles, as intense as I've seemed to be the last year. It's a mix of welcoming the sense of maturity while missing the creative spark of innocence.
By Tristan Spohn4 years ago in Petlife
The Legend of Prince
Woven between the chariots of the Gods, the ancestral stars, the dance of campfire flames and through the connection of the human heart, beast and Gaia is the web of stories, mythology, legends and truth rising from the imagination of Divine creation.
By Jenna W.4 years ago in Petlife
Henry and Quietness
When I was four or five I lived in an apartment. The kind that smelled like smoke when you left your room and the neighbors banged on the ceilings with brooms when you laughed too loud at the story your brother told. I learned to swim there. I was diagnosed with asthma there, after blowing up a balloon and my mother recognizing the wheezing. My dad was laid off for a few months, and I didn't know that until last year. The dog that I considered mine at the time was named Walter and he died while we lived there. We couldn't keep him in that little tiny apartment - after all, he was a beagle who would track cars for days on end, only to come back to us. I always blamed homesickness. Walter missed us. I remember crying on the floor in front of the sliding, mirrored doors of our front closet.
By Margaret4 years ago in Petlife
Dog Gone Days
A few years ago, my then-girlfriend and I were on the precipice of making a significant decision that would alter the fate of our lives. We were determining whether we could adopt two miniature dachshund/chihuahua puppies. Our deliberations were short. In the end, we went to the immediately gratifying option of adopting the two young puppies and throwing ourselves into the wildly complicated world of being puppy parents. We were both inexperienced in taking care of dogs. Still, we each had experience taking care of cats, so we figured we would get the hang of the whole puppy parent thing quickly. And so we entered into the new world with Brass, the miniature dachshund puppy, and Monkey, the chihuahua puppy.
By Tyler C Douglas4 years ago in Petlife
The homeless and their pets
I know you've all heard of the good ol' saying A dog is a man's best friend. I used to be a cat person but some where along the way I found myself with the cutest 4 week old all white miniture poodle/chihuahua who I named Lucky. How typical... He was who I considered to be my son. I ended up homeless after my boyfriend went to jail. Now that I think back I've been trying to fill a void with dogs to replace the love of my life who is still currently serving time. Yet I had convinced myself my son Lucky needed a companion. Yes I got my dog, a dog! Now my mother was stuck babysitting 2 grandchildren Lucky and Loki which she eventually got fed up with and refusing to enable my irresponsibility any longer she sent them to live with me indefinitely. I had no idea how to care for 2 dogs 24 hours, 7 days a week and remind you I was living on the streets. If all of this wasn't enough a small Jack Russell I now call chupies decided to adopt me and refused to leave. He turned out to be the most Loyal and protective dog I have. He would die protecting me without hesitation and I for him. Needless to say I was overwhelmed but my heart as big as it is found a way to adapt. It took me months to get used to taking care of them. Feeding, training, bathing, cleaning, screaming, breaking up fights and the biggest challenge of all locking them up before I could even cross the street. Loki is an escape artist and dogs learn fast. It only takes them seeing 1 dog do something for them all to learn the bad habits. Loki has been hit by a car. His leg was split down the middle but thanks to Pets of the Homeless and the East Bay spca he recovered 100%. My dogs are all vaccinated, chipped, spayed, and nutured. The resources are out there even if you don't have a dime you just have to go out and look for them. I'm a homeless woman who often builds in homeless encampments or as they're called tent cities. My dogs which now is a total of 6 Loki, Chupies, oso, Lucy, Minnie, and My lil Fat Daddy I've yet to name plus 1 kitten i think I'm naming Cat (she's a bigger handful than all the dogs put together) I now care for effortlessly. They keep me safe and warm at night. They keep me on my toes. Days when I don't want to keep pushing forward or even get out of bed I hear 1 bark and remember I have to. They're my responsibility if I don't feed them then they won't eat. I owe them my sanity. I truly believe if it wasn't for these crazy amazing little creatures I wouldn't be as humble, grounded, responsible, or sain as I am today after 2 very hard years. I get overwhelmed yes because they are a great responsibility and it isn't easy by any means especially financially but I would never give them up because they're the most loyal and loving creatures put on this planet. If you see homeless people with pets or dogs who aren't as fortunate as I am to care for their animals before you judge them or call the pound why don't you see what you can do to help. Buy a bag of food or some flea medicine. Help them search for resources before you call animal control because I guarantee no one on this planet can love a pet more then their owner and the pound is no better place for them to be. My Lucky was picked up and it cost $372 for me to get him back only for my baby to die in my arms because he got sick in the animal shelter. I'm homeless, I'm a drug addict and I'm not proud of it but I'm not ashamed either. I'm barely getting a grasp on life and I know my dogs play a huge role in why I haven't completely lost my way. My dogs are fat and healthy, flea free, chipped, vaccinated, and happy. Stop taking pets away from the homeless and help them instead of judging their situation. You don't know what that cat or dog may mean to them and you don't know what they might mean to that cat or dog.
By Stephanysays.blog4 years ago in Petlife
Rescue Me
I grew up in a small town. I mean, really small. Our population usually hovered somewhere around five hundred, but it didn't count the many of us that lived outside the city limits. We lived in what most people there called "the middle of nowhere." Our house was separated from the main highway by a large field and a long gravel drive. That drive is where my story begins.
By A.W. Naves4 years ago in Petlife
Why Do You Prefer a Dog or Cat as a Pet?
"Animals are more than ever a test of our character, of mankind's capacity for empathy and for decent, honorable conduct and faithful stewardship. We are called to treat them with kindness, not because they have rights or power or some claim to equality, but in a sense, because they don't; because they all stand unequal and powerless before us." ― Matthew Scully
By Fast Mouse4 years ago in Petlife
Imagine Life Without Our Pets
I have lived with pets and I have lived without them. I can tell you that life with pets is much more enhanced in quality. I grew up with cats and dogs. Back then cats were inside pets and our dogs were outside pets. Today as an adult I am a dog mother of two of the smartest, goofiest, caring girl pups who love me and their dog dad and each other very much
By Jodian Marie Thomas4 years ago in Petlife
October Was My Second Opportunity To Serve Animals and I Am Grateful for the Triggered Pain
October was too harsh. In addition to life standard chores, I spontaneously volunteered in some animals rescue missions. I’ve been witness to so much cruelty; a nonchalance in the best-case scenario.
By Myriam Ben Salem4 years ago in Petlife