The Heartwarming Bond Between Three Pets and Their People
Plus breaking news from a shelter tour, book and podcast recommendations, and thoughtful steps to engage students and staff.
Six twinkling eyes peered down through the spindles of the pet gate as I removed my shoes in the tidy entry. When I began to climb the stairs, dancing paws and wiggling bottoms stirred the dust motes in the sun-drenched living room. Miranda Lowenson opened the gate for me as her husband, Brian, wrangled the pack.
First to sniff my pant legs was Sula, the “little she bear,” a miniature Australian shepherd with a riot of black, brown and white fur. Her sibling, Grizzly, was gray where she was black. He eyed me up with one blue and one brown peeper then licked my face as I bent to pet him. Brian released his hold on an exuberant two-year-old with the coloring of a black mouth cur. Nitro, nearly twice the size of the Aussies, was double the force of happy.
As we passed through the airy living room, I thought of Dwell magazine where homes blur the line between inside and out. Ivy cascaded down the tall, white walls while planters of twisting snake plants stretched upwards. Plush throws for dogs and people covered a large sectional.
In the kitchen, I was invited to sit at the breakfast bar. But who sits when there are playful pups to pet?
Miranda grabbed a jar of treats. Sula and Grizzly, young agility pros, demonstrated their obedience skills while Nitro played with Brian. When his interest waned, Nitro ambled to Miranda to sit quietly for a treat.
Nitro had been living in a shelter in southern Minnesota for a quarter of his young life before making the journey north with Pet Haven animal rescue. When Miranda spotted a photo of the smiling, high-energy dog on their “fosters needed” Facebook page, she conferred with Brian. Confident their experience raising exuberant pups like Sula and Grizzly would be an asset in caring for Nitro, they said yes to fostering. Nitro joined the Lowenson pack in December 2024.
While Pet Haven cautioned them that the stress of shelter living and the strangeness of their home could cause unfavorable behaviors at the start, Nitro sidled up to his new dog buddies without issue. There have been no problems with this gentle treat taker who loves head scratches and adores little kids.
Brian opened the patio door for Sula to wander the fenced backyard. Nitro and Grizzly retreated to the sectional as Miranda scrolled through photos. She was looking for her favorites from their recent wedding—an intimate affair set in the mountains near Banff. Nitro and Grizzly were adorned with flowered collars to match the wreath Miranda wore in her hair.
I have full confidence that this young couple with a mutual love for animals will turn their dream to own a sanctuary into a reality. I envision many wiggling bottoms and twinkling eyes thriving in the glow of their love and commitment.
(This story was originally included in the Quad Community Press to celebrate the canines of the neighborhoods and to share their stories through the people who know them best.)
BREAKING NEWS FROM AN ANIMAL SHELTER TOUR. Cara Achterberg and Nancy Slattery of Who Will Let The Dogs Out are wrapping up week one of a two week tour to 14 shelters in the rural south. Photos, interviews, stories, dogs! Learn what life is like for the animals and the humans caring for them as the level of community investment rises and falls. Awareness is a critical first step to change. True sheltering happens when people step up to care. Follow their social media (Instagram, Facebook) for the most up to date stories. Read the blog for the depth.
POWERFUL STORY AND TELLING. I waited two months on the library hold list to get the audio version of Finding Me by Viola Davis. The book had shown up on a number of recommended reading lists at the end of 2024.The shame of poverty and raw violence that surrounded her life tremored through every word she spoke and contrasted with the thread of love knotted tightly in her family ties. It is a story or resilience and hope and the power of mentors to help realize change.
COMPLIANCE IS NOT COOPERATION. That comment alone was enough to capture my attention when I was scrolling through social media and came upon a video clip from the podcast Soul Touched by Dogs. Host Anke Herrmann was interviewing Dr. Laura Donaldson on the topic of canine trauma and microtrauma, the importance of respecting a dog’s need for agency, and ways to create a healing environment. At the end of the podcast I felt better informed as a pet parent AND a parent to my children.
SUPPORT, NOT SUPPRESSION is part of a title in a must-read story written for all parents with school-aged kids that works perfectly for supervisors managing staff. Written by Kristen McClure as part of her ADHD Kids, Affirmed blog, the piece titled “Creating a Neurodivergent-Friendly Classroom: Support, Not Suppression” focuses on ways to invite engagement across a variety of audience types. McClure highlights five steps and why they matter and provides examples of how to implement each.
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING
“Congratulations, Cindy! Your triumph is an inspiration to everyone pursuing a dream!” Reader Brian McLaughlin ‘s reaction to My First Win Carries Many Emotions.
“We are so lucky to call Cindy Ojczyk one of our amazing volunteers. Her story about her volunteer experience with Leech Lake Legacy, “22,000 Acts of Lovingkindness,” won an award from the Dog Writers Association of America. We are thrilled to share her work.” From Leech Lake Legacy Facebook page.
May you find a moment of peace in your week.
I didn't even know about your newsletter. I have three dogs and a cat, all rescue pets.
Such an uplifting post - thank you, Cindy!