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 […]
Operation: Gain a Few Pounds Read More »
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
The Magical World Right Under Bear’s Nose Read More »
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
The Very Important Job of Being Comfortable by Bear Read More »
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.
The Quiet Healing Power of Animals Read More »
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
Why Dental Care Matters for Our Beloved Furry Children Read More »
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
Coffee Thoughts: Preparing Before the Emergency Occurs Read More »
Every morning, before breakfast and before Mom even finishes her coffee, I begin my backyard security patrol. This is a very important job because our backyard has squirrels. Suspicious squirrels. Some people think squirrels are just fluffy little creatures that run around collecting nuts and flicking their tails. Those people are not trained investigators like I
Bear and the Case of the Suspicious Squirrels Read More »
There are moments in life that stay frozen in your memory forever, and I want to share this one today, because it’s Endangered Species Day. As I just said, some memories stay frozen forever, not because they were peaceful or beautiful. However, this one began that way, but suddenly, in a matter of seconds, the quiet
Safe Boundaries are required for Wildlife. Read More »
Every year on the third Friday in May, people around the world observe Endangered Species Day. In 2026, that day falls on May 15. It is not a celebration in the traditional sense. It is more of a pause. A moment to look honestly at the animals quietly disappearing from the Earth and ask ourselves
Endangered Species Day 2026: The Animals Are Still Waiting for Us Read More »
Mother’s Day arrives each spring with flowers, cards, restaurant reservations, and heartfelt social media posts. For one day, we pause and collectively say, “Thank you, Mom.” And we should. Mothers shape our lives in ways we often do not fully understand until much later. Sometimes, not until we are adults ourselves. Sometimes not until they
Honoring Our Mothers Every Day Read More »
