By Jamie Obakponovwe, Minnesota
While settling into the rhythm of a new job and home, my husband and I adopted two kittens who were sisters, Wilma and Luisa. Instantly they brightened our lives and gave us constant, unconditional love—each in her own special way.
By Stephanie Clay, England, United Kingdom
Some time ago I was walking my neighbor’s dog, a smart greyhound named Tinkerbell; Tink for short. My neighbor had cancer, and dog walks were not something she could do.
By Montina Holliday, Arizona
I had the pleasure of accepting a gift of love from a patient and his family while tending to them at the hospital where I work as a patient care tech. It started when I had the nudge to tell them I was finally open to getting a pet, probably a cat.
By Anna Finch, Oregon
When I moved back to Virginia in 2009, my dad adopted Tommy. The cat had a lot of health issues. He was raised on a farm and had to be on medications.
By Sri Harold Klemp
“Ashley” had driven a long way to meet her brother “Mike,” who lives in a desert town. When she got there, the two went out to lunch. As they were waiting in line, they saw a man who had this little cage. Inside was the cutest little puppy. The man said, “He’s six weeks old.”
By Angelica Maulucci, California
Everyone who knows me knows I loved my pet fish Rey. I bought him filtered water and made sure he had exposure to sunlight. I even brought him with me in the car when I went to Cape Cod and drove to western Massachusetts for long weekends. Friends joked that of course this would happen when you give a social worker a fish.