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 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.
By Russell Henderson, Oregon
The horse who became my cherished friend had helped me heal from the loss of my wife. How would Divine Spirit guide me through saying good-bye to him?
By Brad Norman, Arizona
Several years ago I lost my sweet-tempered beagle, Hanna, to old age. My heart felt a bit empty without her love. Each morning I’d wake up and sing HU, which is a love song to God. I’d ask my inner guide for help with my grief.
By Peter Skrivanic, Kyoto, Japan
At ten years old, I went with my family to our local humane society in Oakville, a suburb of Toronto, Canada, to find our first family pet. Looking from cage to cage, I stopped before one that held Sam, a six-year-old, gray, male tabby cat with yellow-green eyes. He was large, slightly rotund, and older than most of the other cats in the shelter.