By Rosemary Carpenter, Minnesota
In a few days I’d be leaving the beautiful mountains and rivers of the Western Slope of Colorado to move to my new home in Arizona. So I stopped at an outdoor concert. I knew that several of my friends would be there and I could say good-bye to them before I left. After parking, I cracked the car windows a little and told my kitten, B. J. Honeycatt, that I would be back shortly.
By Elke Hughes, Canberra, Australia
Several animals have played an important role in my life. However, this tribute goes to my dog Alfa, a yellow boxer, who was my first teacher in matters of unconditional love.
By Tammy Attama, Virginia
With joyful anticipation, we picked up our new puppy! She was a few months old, gangly, and adorable in the body she had yet to grow into. Our family fussed over her and made her feel welcomed; however, her excitement did not match our own.
By Harold Klemp
Some years ago, “Ellen” was tutoring two children in their family’s living room. It was a beautiful, sunny, summer day, and the wind was blowing through the living room. Everything was going fine. She was tutoring the kids, and they were doing well.
By Peter Akpokodje, Lagos, Nigeria
Recently I have been thinking about the reason we exist in this world. I kept the thought lightly on my mind. I wondered, What is love? What is my purpose?
By Margaret Penney, Ohio
Love and gratitude became the “cat”-alysts for a miracle in my pet family. It all started with the arrival of a young, feral, female cat who, after weeks of circumspection, came in off the street to live with my daughter, son-in-law, and me.