Tag: dogs

My husband recently shared a sad post on his Facebook page of a dog on death row at the animal shelter named Cornflake. We already have two dogs, but Cornflake looked like he could use a loving home.

"Honey, you can’t post a photo of a mange and scab-covered dog on death row named Cornflake and expect me NOT to go save him! You brought this on yourself."

If you’ve ever had a pet, you’ve experienced the many benefits animals bring to our lives. They are friends and companions, sometimes even a part of who we are—and despite the occasional potty-training accident or destroyed shoe, our pets bring us untold amounts of joy, humor, love, and happiness.

For people who are experiencing depression, however, pets can provide something even more important: a reason to live, and to keep on living.

We have a new neighbor on our hill. I met him the other day when I was taking my beloved old puppy—whose arthritis prevents him from getting a walk—out for his drive. My neighbor was walking his three pups down the hill, so of course as mutual dog lovers, we had to stop and have a conversation. One of my neighbor’s dogs only sported two legs; he had a wheeled contraption that took the place of his back legs. Another of his dogs rolled around gleefully in a doggy-perfected "wheelchair" with his three legs, and the last of his cuties had the more common four legs. Despite their differences, all three dogs were obviously happy, healthy, enthusiastic critters. And my sweet 14 year old Ringo, despite his creaky hindquarters and sagging back, enjoys his car rides enormously, muzzle straight into the wind like any self-respecting dog.

There’s a destination on California’s Central Coast with everything that a wine tourist looking for classic California could ask for. A place where visitors can surf alongside locals, walk on a beautiful beach, have lunch on the boardwalk (a 1,200-foot pier), and then drive to wine country in about the time it takes to play three Beach Boys songs. The destination is Pismo Beach—offering the perfect pairing of wine and waves in a warm, inviting atmosphere.

The following is a news item selected by the Hitched editors during the week of November 06, 2014.

What Kind of Happiness Boost Do Kids Provide Parents?

New research published in the journal Demography looked at data collected on British and German households. In particular the researchers Mikko Myrskylä and Dr. Rachel Margolis looked to measure the happiness levels children brought to parents.

In the heart of California’s Central Coast, the Classic California town of Pismo Beach is living the dream. Each morning, surfers stop to assess the waves, fishermen cast lines from the magnificent pier, and owners walk their dogs along the sparkling beach. It’s amazing to realize that, in just a matter of minutes, they could all be standing in a rolling vineyard. Just up the road and around the bend, the wineries of South San Luis Obispo County, in Edna, and Arroyo Grande Valleys are waiting to be discovered.