Bear’s Corner

Some life lessons arrive gently, and others land with enough force to change the way we think forever. My sweet Teddy taught me one of those lessons. When Teddy became ill, I found myself traveling a road I had never expected to travel. Like many pet parents, I believed I was prepared. I had always provided […]

Last night, Bear surprised me. I was watching a nature documentary about the frozen north when a large wolf suddenly appeared on the television screen. This was not a quick glimpse of an animal running through the woods. The wolf filled much of the screen and stared directly forward with intense yellow eyes. Instantly, Bear

A report from Bear, Golden Retriever, and Chief Food Quality Inspector Recently, my doctor informed Mom that I was too skinny.  Personally, I preferred the term “athletically streamlined,” but apparently there was concern. During my dental cleaning appointment, the veterinary staff noticed that I weighed only 48.8 pounds and thought I was underweight. They even

Every morning, Bear begins his daily investigation of our backyard.   I usually step outside and notice the weather. I admire the greenhouse, check on my plants, and enjoy the quiet start to the day. The yard looks exactly as it did the evening before. Bear sees something entirely different. Recently, I began listening to Alexandra

Hi friends, I would like to tell you about something very important. Most people think a dog’s job is chasing balls, barking at suspicious squirrels, or protecting the family from dangerous delivery drivers. Those are all important jobs. I take them very seriously. But there is another job that is even more important. The job is

There is a reason so many people seek solace in animals during life’s hardest moments. Not because animals magically erase depression, anxiety, grief, or loneliness. They can’t solve every problem, but they offer what many hurting people most need: presence, comfort, consistency, and understanding without judgment. And sometimes that’s enough to help someone keep going.

Bear is scheduled for a dental cleaning tomorrow.  I honestly did not expect to get him scheduled so quickly, but perhaps that is for the best. Sometimes the things we put off a little too long are the very things that deserve our attention the most. Dental care for our pets often falls into that

Emergency alerts on your phone are unsettling. Your mind quickly starts asking: What would I take?How much time would we have?Did I remember the pets?Where are the medications?Do the flashlights still work? Living in California means many of us have learned to keep one eye on the weather during certain times of the year. Wind