All Creatures

IF YOU READ MY BOOK, Always By My Side, you know how deeply Julee and I loved our late golden retriever Millie. She was the world to us. But even if it were within my reach, would I pay up to $100,000 to create a clone of her? Would you be willing t

IT WAS THE BIG day: the therapy dog certification test. Sitting in a metal folding chair, awaiting our turn, I got the butterflies. During the last class, Petey broke his “down”—he got up and came to me when he was supposed to be lying down and stayi

WHEN MY domestic shorthair, Gypsy, gave birth to a litter of six, I kept one of her kittens and found homes for the others. I’ve always had cats in my life, and watching Gypsy develop a bond with her little one, whom I named Satchmo, gave me great jo

IF IT WEREN’T FOR MAX, a 17-year-old blue heeler, young Aurora Kyle might not be alive. Around 3:00 P.M. on a rainy autumn Friday last April, the three-year-old girl was reported missing in Queensland, Australia. Rescuers searched until after dark bu

Q My hamster, Oliver, gets bored with his chew toys, but I know they’re good for his teeth. He also cut his left back toe on his water bottle and his nail is growing out of the unhealed wound. What should I do? —Rachel Keith , Franklin, Tennessee

STEAM BILLOWED, momentarily clouding my view as I lowered myself into the hot water that swirled around my legs. I sat down and leaned back against a comfortable spot on the river’s bank. Finally situated, I looked up at the hillside across from me.

FIVE BLESSED YEARS—that’s all my horse, Killer, and I had together, and I cherished every minute. I never knew why the previous owners had given him that name. He was a lover, not a fighter, but he answered to his name, so I couldn’t change it. Sayin

I PULLED THE RED STOCKINGS from a box of decorations. They were worn in places, their white trim dulled by all the Christmases they’d hung on our mantel. But the names still glittered. Patti, mine . . . Bill, my husband . . . Chrissy, our daughter .

For cats living on the streets of a major city, life can be hard and dangerous. Finding food and shelter from the elements is often a struggle. Even if they are lucky enough to be adopted, many of these feral cats—used to defending themselves and sur

Snow, ice and cold temperatures create unique challenges for our pets and wildlife neighbors. Here’s how you can help all creatures this winter. Limit time outside in extreme temperatures. If it’s too cold for you to stay outside, it’s too cold for