Tag Archives: strays

Strays: Wings Beneath Their Fur

Do you know what I truly believe about strays and shelter animals? Especially ones that pick their people out like Aimee’s Miko did with her, Murph did with me and Wayne, and Rocky did with my friend Kim. Or how they wind up in our paths like Tabby did with me and Cujo did with my friends Christy and Christian. I don’t believe any of this is coincidence. I believe Divine Intervention was at work. These animals were guided into our lives by a higher power. If you look closely enough, you’ll see what I mean. There are wings beneath … Continue reading →

A Cat Convert Success Story

At the beginning of this year I shared a stray dog story that had a happy ending after my friends Christian and Christy ended up keeping the little pup that showed up on their lawn one morning. Today I’m happy to share a similar story about a cat. Mr. Rocky Finds a Home Earlier this month I wrote about unfaithful pets and a cat named Rocky a.k.a. Butters a.k.a. Mr. Kitty a.k.a. Pain in the A– who had adopted my friend Kim. Kim’s dog Rusty wasn’t entirely happy about this pesky cat being persistent about getting her and her mom’s … Continue reading →

Other Man vs. Animal Double Standards

I covered the double standard of euthanasia as it applies to man vs. animal, but there are other double standards, too. Spaying and Neutering I believe “castration” is the term used for humans. The practice has been used for centuries for everything from medical purposes to warfare strategies against opposing armies. And, yes, even on occasion for population control. But the later especially drew criticism and cries of “Foul!” when discovered. With animals though? Heck, even Aimee and I advocate the owner responsibility of spaying and neutering your pet. There are all sorts of reasons why it’s so important, but … Continue reading →

Cozies, Stray Cats, and Past Dogs: An Interview with Marion Moore Hill

I’m pleased to introduce you to mystery writer Marion Moore Hill. I’ve been trying to coordinate an interview with her for months now, but my efforts were somewhat waylaid by having to tend to affairs with my mom. However, I am pleased to finally bring you this long overdue interview. Enjoy! (And, Marion, thank you so much again for your patience and cooperation.) Courtney Mroch: What kind of things do you write about? (Genre, subject matter, themes, what have you.) Marion Moore Hill: I write traditional, amateur-sleuth mysteries (sometimes called cozies). I do two series, the Scrappy Librarian Mysteries and … Continue reading →

Thoughts on Reuniting Lost Dogs with Owners

The story about Rocko the beagle who was reunited with his owners after five years got me to thinking: Should a pet always be returned to the original owners? Taking Responsibility In Rocko’s case, the Naranjo family obviously still loved the dog –even though they’d only had him for two months before he’d disappeared and he’d been gone for five years. However, they were willing to fork out some bucks and time to get him back. First they had to fly to Georgia to pick him up, then they had to rent a car and drive (14 hours I might … Continue reading →

Can’t Judge an Animal Lover by Their Cover

The other day I was talking with James, a guy Wayne and I met playing volleyball a couple years back who’s since become a good friend. He dates Lyn, my other good friend from volleyball. Lyn actually sparked a series of articles about deaf dogs after she found out her dog was deaf and asked me what I knew about such things. (Which was nothing then but thanks to her I learned a lot!) Anyway, like my mom James’s dad also was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. Between league sand volleyball getting ready to start back up (Lyn, James, Wayne, … Continue reading →

The Strays of Our Lives

I love stories about strays. Why? Because there’s usually a deeper story there. One that proves strays are not just strays, but the strays of our lives who’ve come into them in different forms and for different reasons. Kindred Spirits Have you ever looked into a dog or cat’s eyes and without speaking, touching, or sharing anymore time together than those initial first moments, you knew them? You read their soul, they read yours –instantly. That’s a kindred pet spirit connection. Wayne had that with Budly. I loved that little Cocker with my heart and soul but truly him and … Continue reading →

Finally! A Feel Good Story about a Stray

Strays seem to be a hot topic with me lately. First Winky crossed my path. Then my friends in Arizona called me for advice about how to help a stray who collapsed in their yard. Then I keep seeing the elusive stray roaming our neighborhood. Even though I believed Winky was Budly in Beagle’s clothing and I wanted desperately to keep her, I couldn’t. I keep trying to earn that elusive stray dog’s trust, but I have a feeling that’s going to be an ongoing process. But, finally, I do have a story about a stray with a happy ending. … Continue reading →

How Do You Earn a Roaming Stray Dog’s Trust?

Friday I wrote about the elusive stray dog roaming our neighborhood that I’ve seen every now and then for the past few weeks. I told Wayne about how she had ventured up to our front porch on Friday, but how she took off the second I tried to open the door. He’d never seen her –until Saturday morning. He offered to take me out for breakfast and that’s an offer I never refuse. As we headed out of our subdivision, Wayne asked, “Is that your dog?” I looked and saw Ms. Thing (other than being skittish, I haven’t spent enough … Continue reading →

Finding a Stray: Should You Put Their Picture on Found Flyers?

Yesterday my friend Christy in Arizona called asking for advice about a stray puppy she had found. Turns out the poor little guy literally collapsed in front of their house. One Rough Pup Apparently the pup’s had a rough go of it. Christy said he looked like he’d either been in a fight, was beaten up (by something other than a dog), or both. Before he collapsed he’d thrown up rice and beans. She also said he was skinny as all get out and might have been on the lamb for a while. So she walks outside first thing this … Continue reading →