Feeling distraught about the plight of homeless dogs in our society? I’ve been as well. And unless you have a pack amenable to adding just one more dog, a large backyard or a retired lifestyle, you likely can’t take in just one more dog. Which is why, if you do…

This morning, I picked up my smartphone and glanced at my Instagram feed. I was heartbroken to learn that Ramona was killed. Who was Ramona, you ask? Ramona was a five-year old dog in a Texas high-kill shelter. After being dragged through its doors as a stray, workers waited the…

This afternoon, I’m spending my time advocating for a dog named Snoopy. Snoopy landed on death row in a California shelter. I tracked his status with the shelter, which was a maddening back-and-forth with others on his status. I landed on the moment when a fellow rescue advocate sent word…

This afternoon, I’m spending my time advocating for a dog named Snoopy. Snoopy landed on death row in a California shelter. I tracked his status with the shelter, which was a maddening back-and-forth with others, calls to the shelter and messaging on Instagram. I landed on the moment when a…

My former step-mother-in-law, Kathy, used to say that I was filled with grandiose notions of savings animals. Have you ever been told such things? In her case, she was trying to comfort me after the Northern Red Flicker committed bird suicide by kitchen window right in front of me as…

By Denise Boehler Tuesday, March 26th, 2019 I love my dog so much my heart aches. My Shepherd mutt, Smudges, I mean — but then — I could say that of many dogs. Except in Smudges’ case, she is exceptionally intelligent and sensitive in just the right way. She’s bonded…

The Final Say. I just knew I would cry. From the first glimpse of that kilt and Prince Charlie jacket, pangs of sadness moved through my body like incense through air in a Buddhist meditation hall. He was there to play Amazing Grace live on his bagpipes, the hired Scotsman…

Few things are more distressing than not being able to help keep my dog from danger. And few things are more maddening than realizing that my best training efforts fail me in moments most critical. Such is the moment I find myself in this morning. It is another sun-washed, arid…