May/June 2019

All Creatures

The Animals Who Share Our Lives

All Creatures2 min read
Editor’s Note
I WAS STANDING ON THE CORNER of Twenty-third Street and Seventh Avenue the other sunny day, patiently waiting for the walk light to turn into the little white man who indicates that it’s safe to cross. Gracie was at my side, sitting obediently, as sh
All Creatures2 min read
Going Beyond
APPROXIMATELY 3.3 million dogs enter the animal shelter system in the United States every year, according to the ASPCA. These animals face uncertain futures, but one thing is for sure: They need love and exercise. That’s where the cross-country team
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Should I Be Worried?
Q I have two concerns about my ferret: He constantly digs at the rug and his food dish, and he’s losing his hair. What should I do? —Michelle Volpe, Staten Island, New York A Ferrets are very busy, intelligent, nosy and curious creatures. Diggi
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Gracie’s Doggie Delights
IN FEBRUARY 2016, 19-year-old Gracie Jagler of Watertown, Wisconsin, launched her own business selling all-natural dog treats. In its first four months of operation, Gracie’s Doggie Delights recorded sales in 48 states. A remarkable success for any s
All Creatures1 min read
I’ll Never Forget You
IN 2006 I was visiting an animal shelter to donate some goods when a little black cat named Vern caught my eye. He looked lonely, and I knew I had to adopt him. But soon after bringing Vern home, I discovered he wasn’t the kind of cat that was happy
All Creatures4 min read
The Photo Ark
For nearly three decades, photographer Joel Sartore has traveled the globe for National Geographic magazine. His toughest assignment, however, wasn’t in the wild. In 2005, Joel’s wife, Kathy, was diagnosed with breast cancer. He stopped working for a
All Creatures5 min read
Not Just Any Cat
Eleven moves in 18 years—each time I received permanent change-of-station orders. As a military officer, I ask a lot of my family. My wife, Elizabeth, has had to give up jobs she loved. Our three daughters have had to leave behind wonderful friends.
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Driven By Love
Sabrina Black lets out a worried sigh as she and her driving partner, Elaina Rodriguez, study the weather forecast. It’s a Sunday morning in January, and they are planning to drive from Beaumont, Texas, to Sterling, Massachusetts, a grueling 1,750-mi
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Creature Comforts
VISITS WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN were precious, but lately it seemed as if every time I saw them they were distracted by their gadgets. “Please, God,” I prayed as I pulled into their driveway, “help me find some way to entertain Paul and Jill. Help us ma
All Creatures3 min read
Last Moments
CASSIE JANE›WAS MY DOG of dogs. Smart and smart-aleck, gorgeous and loving. Her spunky Samoyed personality made me laugh. She refused to do tricks or even play fetch. Instead she would hurl the ball back to me as if to say, “I’m not chasing it. Let’s
All Creatures7 min read
Meant To Soar
Riga, our Eurasian eagle owl, perched majestically on the gloved arm of her handler. The crowd oohed and aahed. Riga was always the highlight of the Festival of Birds, our wildlife education and rehabilitation center’s biggest event of the year. For
All Creatures1 min read
Tiny Tutor
I GREW UP IN A FAMILY that cared for all types of animals, even the lowliest bugs. Anytime I saw one of God’s creatures in distress, I felt called to rescue it. One morning I spotted a tiny black spider in the bathtub. I went to grab a container to c
All Creatures3 min read
BRIAN JONES Foster Parrots, Rhode Island
IN OUR NEW SERIES, Helping America’s Animals, we’re highlighting the everyday greatness of people across the United States who are putting their efforts toward helping animals. Their volunteer work is truly making a difference. To kick things off, he
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Prayer For A Pug
It happened a few days after we brought home our roly-poly 10-week-old pug, Mighty Maximus. (He was small, but we gave him a big, heroic name.) I was trying to teach Max how to walk on a leash, when I bumped into my friend Gail. Gail had three Westie
All Creatures2 min read
Their Mysterious Ways
RUTH AND I had been married for 52 years. When you’ve been with someone that long, you almost develop your own language. Like the way Ruth and I said “One, two, four” when counting off before jumping into a pool or moving a piece of furniture. There
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Is This for Real?
It’s a typical Tuesday for Cristina Zenato. She ducks below the surface of the water, the Bahamian sun alighting on the slow stream of bubbles emerging as she exhales. She’s grinning through her scuba mouthpiece, her eyes serene behind her mask. This
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“We Do”
You’re ready to tie the knot, but the day wouldn’t be complete without your best buddy. If you’re thinking about including your pet in your wedding—as more and more couples are—here are some tips to help the big day go off without a hitch. You’ll wa

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