The Keepsake Journal

Ya know...maybe it's not about Dogs vs. Cats
Ya know...maybe it's not about Dogs vs. Cats
My friend Joan loved two things a smidge more than others: competition and her dog. The competitive side showed up in our weekly ping-pong matches. Her competitive spirit was so... Read more...
Cali knew something was there. I just didn't know what.
Cali knew something was there. I just didn't know what.
I came home from a matinee one Friday afternoon and, as usual, Cali was waiting for me at the door. And, as usual, she wanted to go explore in the... Read more...
Why Your Pet Loves a Routine More Than You Think
Why Your Pet Loves a Routine More Than You Think
I really, really thought they were going to have a blast. I had just closed on a new house and was about to begin staying there as part of the... Read more...
When Your Pets Suddenly Stop Sharing You
When Your Pets Suddenly Stop Sharing You
For the longest time, when I'd wake up...well, there they'd be. Ms. Cuddles on my right. Cali on my left. Or vice versa. Two furry bookends keeping their human appropriately... Read more...
Small Dog. Big Connection. Bigger Companion.
Small Dog. Big Connection. Bigger Companion.
It's true. I've never owned a small dog. My personal dog experience was mostly of the Collie variety. Cappy, Friskie, and Honey were my childhood companions, and they were big... Read more...
Small Dog Doesn't Mean Small Dog Needs
Small Dog Doesn't Mean Small Dog Needs
Full transparency...right up front. I've never owned a small dog. I love 'em. I love all animals, but my childhood dog experience was about as far from "purse-sized pup" as... Read more...
The Nightly Routine: Your Pets Know What's Coming Next
The Nightly Routine: Your Pets Know What's Coming Next
Humans are creatures of habit. The older we get, the more we seem to appreciate the little routines that make our days predictable. We know where things are, when things... Read more...
Loving a Skittish Cat: Why Some Cats Trust You... But Still Startle Easily
Loving a Skittish Cat: Why Some Cats Trust You... But Still Startle Easily
It was this very month... a short three years ago that I met Ms. Cuddles. I would often leave food out for her when she would approach the house, but... Read more...
The Day I Realized Why Cali Trusted Me
The Day I Realized Why Cali Trusted Me
There was something about Cali that always puzzled me. Cali had been a stray, and of course, she didn't know me particularly well. I had only been feeding her for... Read more...
The Night Lil Cali's Bed Was Stolen
The Night Lil Cali's Bed Was Stolen
When you start feeding a stray cat, you expect a few surprises. Usually, you can expect some cautious glances. You expect slow progress. And yes, with a neighborhood cat accustomed... Read more...
Why Dogs Need to Sniff: The Surprising Benefits of Scent Walks
Why Dogs Need to Sniff: The Surprising Benefits of Scent Walks
When I was a kid, summer meant one thing: The woods. I was a creative kid and had three 'storylines' that made up my adventures: 1) Space explorer--braving new worlds... Read more...
The Bathroom Siege: When Protective Pets Take Their Jobs a Little Too Seriously
The Bathroom Siege: When Protective Pets Take Their Jobs a Little Too Seriously
Pets are many things. Companions. Entertainers. Supervisors. And sometimes… Security personnel. This was never clearer than one autumn weekend, when a couple of good friends came to visit. For Joel,... Read more...