MUSINGS ON LIFE AND WRITING WITH SARAH BUCKLEITNER
In honor of National Dog day: the winding, not-super-linear story of how Wren came into our lives. I've written tomes about Chara, but I'm not sure that I've ever told Wren's story. And it's a great one: full of love and hardship and challenges overcome. When I first met Wren, we weren't looking for a … Continue reading On three-legged dogs
(All photos are of real shelter pets from the Oktibbeha County Humane Society, taken during my year working there. These pets have long been adopted, but there are hundreds more adorable critters just like them looking for homes). What do you picture when you hear the word "kill shelter?" If you're like most people, you … Continue reading On Kill Shelters
The back of our house has big windows that face full east, so that we get a glorious view of the sunrise coming up from the trees behind our house, and then are treated to the slow progression of dull dawn light, to melty golden light that flows in our windows and sticks to the … Continue reading April
In Georgia, it's the season of hail like sea salt on the ground, and sunny, sleeveless days. This month I'm grateful for the twinkle lights in my office, that make it feel a little cozier--even with the blinds pulled tight to shield me while I pump. Even more so, I'm grateful for the people outside … Continue reading February
Working at a humane society, I often come across the notion that a large dog can’t live in a small apartment. “Oh, we certainly don’t have room for a dog that size,” the person will say, eyes roving disapprovingly over a Labrador mix of medium stature. Having personally housed a 90 lb Great Dane/Labrador/husky mix … Continue reading On Large Dogs in Small Apartments
Last week we watched a friend's dog. And while I've met many dogs over the span of my twenty-four years, this old guy made me think twice about what it means to have a dog, and in return, what it means to be one. See, Sonny is all dog. He woke us up each morning with a thorough … Continue reading On What It Means to Be a Dog
Awhile back, long before we brought Chara into our life, I picked up the book "The Art of Raising a Puppy" by the Monks of New Skete. At the time I was ravenously consuming all literature about dog training and puppy raising--even though I was a year away from adopting my own dog, I wanted … Continue reading The Artlessness of Raising a Puppy
You came into this world a mess, with your insides all twisted, and your floppy paws too big for your body. When I talked to Amanda about you yesterday morning, she said all she remembered from your puppy hood was that stupid cone you always had to wear, so that you didn't eat your stitches. … Continue reading The Rosie, Golden Years
They're sitting there. Watching me. Three brown eyes and one electric blue eye. They know what my running shoes and beat up purse mean, and their tails wag with excitement. But I have a dilemma: I can only bring one dog. Rosie, our elderly golden retriever can hardly handle the heat in the house (even … Continue reading Dog Dilemma
Feathery Thoughts 