PetStack: Crazy Dog Stories
A pet tale by author Holly B. Gutwillinger, plus, a crazy pet parade
Welcome to a new issue of PetStack, a monthly post of pet tales submitted by readers of the newsletter Like People, Like Pets. PetStack illuminates our connection to the intelligence, compassion, inspiration, and love wrapped in four-legged, furry packages.
Perhaps the greatest gift an animal has to offer is a permanent reminder of who we really are.” - Nick Trout
By Cindy…
“Hello?” I muttered with the angst of a teenager rousted out of slumber.
“This is Will County Animal Control. Brandy is here AGAIN!” The caller’s frustration countered my sullenness. Of all the crazy things our stubborn Airedale Terrier did, running TO animal control was tops. My parents supplemented the government-funded program with the bail they frequently paid to retrieve her.
When I first read Holly B. Gutwillinger’s contribution to PetStack, sharp memories of bull-headed Brandy rose from the murky depths of years long buried. My brothers and I tried to train that reluctant girl. She never did succumb to our ineffective and inconsistent methods. We were kids. She was smarter.
When I met Holly two years ago, she was managing her newsletter, Ramblings From the Little Shed, writing a book, and tackling an MFA. A year later, wooosh! A flame ignited, North of Broken & Furever Home was launched, and so too, was her podcast Ramblings from the Little Shed co-hosted with her son, Rogan. This gal is on fire! And smart. Although, her story below makes me wonder!😊
By Holly B. Gutwillinger…
Whoever named our rescue dog Johnny Cash must have had the foresight to know this dog would live up to his namesake. When we met the one-year-old bouncing ball of fur in 2015, he was all black except for a few white spots and exuded confidence.
After three days with us, Cash unexpectedly jumped out of the second-story window of our four-level split house. Our neighbor told us he saw Cash land on the deck, cross the creek, and kept running. We found him an hour later, safe and happily chasing a squirrel. This was just one of Cash’s many shenanigans. His adventures were frequent, and no matter how organized we tried to be, he always stayed one paw ahead.
We blamed his nose for leading him on early spring swims to chase ducks. Fortunately, our canoe broke through the thin ice cover, and we paddled like his life depended on it. Even in his senior years, his vitality is contagious and inspires me to be the best human I can be so he can enjoy a full life.
The Animal Humane Society in Minneapolis, Minnesota holds the state’s largest pet parade during their yearly fundraiser The Walk for Animals. I volunteered at the Leech Lake Legacy booth, selling pet supplies and copies of my book, Mom Loves the Dogs More to raise funds for the organization. Enjoy a few of the highlights of the pets who stopped by to say hello.
BUY A BOOK. MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Today, you have three options to buy Mom Loves the Dogs More: A Memoir of Family Rescue to supoprt organizations making a positive impact on people and pets.
Every book purchased through this link will help save lives: a $5.00 donation will be made to The Street Dog Coalition Minneapolis Team to help pets of people experiencing homelessness or at risk for homelessness.
Every book purchased through this link will help support the pets of community members living on the Leech Lake reservation. The net profits, $5.00 donation, will be made to Leech Lake Legacy and their effort to provide veterinary care and surrrender support.
Every book purchased through this link will help Who Will Let The Dogs Out (WWLDO) raise awareness and resources for rural and marginalized animal shelters. That’s a $5.00 donation per book! WWLDO’s team has visited 220 shelters and counting. The animal sheltering crisis is not slowing. Please help.
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I bet you know someone in love with their crazy pet. It would brighten my day to know you shared this post.