When Bobbie White hatched on June 25, and Berry followed on June 26, I was delighted. Watching each of them briefly stumble around, then get on their little feet and start pecking demonstrated an undeniable will to live. Within an hour of hatching, Bobbie started chirping at the top of her(?) lungs, and I prayed…Read more The Blossoming of My Tiny Emotional Support Animals
emotional support animals
A Chick Named Bob
As I lay awake early this morning, thinking worrying about Henry’s appointment with the surgeon, I heard a little “chirp.” My radar is on high these days, listening for strange noises that Steve the Norway rat might make, but this little chirp didn’t sound like a rat. Steve is more likely to squeak, I…Read more A Chick Named Bob
Cheese Please
We've named our little house guest Steve. Being a Norwegian Tree rat, we should have named him Sven or Lars, but Steve just seemed right. He's not made anymore live appearances, but he visits after dark. There must be a sign posted on the mantle in a language only rats can read, that says: "Restroom," because he does…Read more Cheese Please
An Unwelcome Visitor
My eyes are always scanning the floors of our little home, mostly because we have three dogs who make all kinds of messes. A couple of days ago, in the early morning light, I noticed a spot near the front door that looked like a puddle of something. When I looked closer, I found it was…Read more An Unwelcome Visitor
Dixie Dog
Hey everybody! Henry here. Here’s something Martha wrote about my sister Dixie, who is very sick. Please keep in mind that I’m keeping an eye on both of them. Dixie In December of 2005, I was introduced to three-month old puppy named Dixie. A friend who was working at a veterinary hospital witnessed…Read more Dixie Dog
Hope is the thing with feathers…
In my healthier days, when I was happily working at the zoo, I wrote a weekly newsletter for the docents and volunteers. My service dog Henry was always eager to contribute bits of wisdom to my weekly tome, so when he heard I was writing a blog, he asked if he could add a few words. Of course, I said yes. So today…Read more Hope is the thing with feathers…
Cockeyed Optimist?
I'm considering hatching some Mexican Speckled Quail eggs in July, if they're available. There's a place in Wisconsin, (my home state!), that sells them. Maybe I'll have better luck with a different species. Maybe I'm just a cockeyed optimist! Aren't they beautiful?
Funny, but offensive
The use of fake service animals and emotional support animals exacerbates the stigma of mental illness. Not long ago I read an article in the New Yorker by Patricia Marx called “Pets Allowed: Why are so many animals now in places where they shouldn’t be?” Ms. Marx is a funny writer, but as soon as I…Read more Funny, but offensive
Cold-Blooded Comfort
In the May/June 2017 issue of Reptiles Magazine there’s a great article called “Reptiles as Therapy Pets,” by Alexia P. Bullard, who asks, “Who says a pet snake or lizard can’t provide emotional support?” As the mommy and caretaker of three Eastern Box Turtles and a Red-Eared Slider, I can definitely say that caring for…Read more Cold-Blooded Comfort
Dogged Hope 