Though Skylar can be shy, she has never been camera shy — which is a good thing because I take so many photos for this column. When it came time for her My Mutt poster, Pet Food ... Read More
It’s not what you look like, when you’re doin’ what you’re doin’ It’s what you’re doin’ when you’re doin’ what you look ... Read More
The drive down to San Jose to meet Grandma Kickie for the first time was a breeze; the car was still the place Skylar felt most comfortable. We stopped at a dog park a few miles away because I thought it was a good idea to work off some of that puppy energy.... Read More
On a June day in 2009, I called Steve. "Come over and meet my foster puppies," I said. "It's gorgeous out. We can sit in the garden and have cocktails." When Steve arrived, there was a pitcher of martinis and three four-month-old pit bull mix sisters.... Read More
As we entered the classroom at SF Puppy Prep on the first day of kindergarten, Skylar Grey was excited to see other puppies but terrified to leave my side. I was trying to juggle her leash with one hand and hold a dog bed under my arm with the other.... Read More
Is that a shadow — or a hole in the floor? And what’s that noise outside my door?? Home alone. On my own … and all alone … — “Home Alone 4,” by D-... Read More
The day I adopted Skylar Grey at San Francisco Animal Care and Control, executive director Rebecca Katz handed me a new puppy parent packet. As I skimmed through the various handouts, Rebecca said, "You should get her into puppy kindergarten, too."... Read More
Like a Band-Aid, you take the heartache and make it OK No more pain … You take the anger off my brain and the wrinkle off my brow I don’t know how you do what you do, b... Read More
Here in my car I feel safest of all I can lock all my doors It’s the only way to live In cars — “Cars,” by Gary Numan Skylar Grey slept all the way home. She wa... Read More
People who love dogs often talk about a “lifetime” dog. I’d heard the phrase a dozen times before I came to recognize its significance. Lifetime dogs are dogs we ... Read More