While Rachael C.–stay at home mom, botanical artist, and cat lover–had grown up with cats, no one else in her family had any experience with them. She knew firsthand how much love and excitement these cats could bring into their lives… But little did they know, their new cat duo would keep them on their toes with a little bit of chaos too.

After someone close to him encouraged him to be open to the idea, Tega Dibie–creator of Da Boy & Nala–set aside many of his long-held fears about dogs and decided to take a chance on one of his own. And by pushing through the fear and embracing curiosity, he soon realized how much joy a dog can bring to our lives… And even change how we see ourselves.

When you’re used to one type of pet, branching out might bring up some uncertainty at first. That’s exactly what happened to Jeannie Assimos–content creator, taco connoisseur, and dog lover–when she first sought out a new companion… Because her soul dog, Jonny Cash, ended up weighing 140lbs less than what she was used to.

When Hailey Adair was stuck inside during the pandemic, she had already started obedience training with her dog, Darrel. With nowhere to go and everything shut down, they simply spent more time training. But soon, they needed something more. Sensing her dog felt the same way, she sought out more engaging tricks… And Darrel (and his dog sis, Gertrude!) was up for the challenge.

When Sophie was displaced from her home during the war, life as she knew it abruptly changed. But through the hard times, she found a new passion for life… And now has four sweet pets to remind her what life is really about.

Sol Anzorena–multidisciplinary artist and musician–and her partner had dreamed about moving to the woods for a while… But once Reynard was part of their family, they knew they needed to make it happen. The experience didn’t just change their lives… It inspired them to write a book about their dog to memorialize the journey.

The number of animals coming into shelters is often higher than the number getting adopted. Instead of letting the odds lead to defeat, jme Thomas–Founder and Executive Director of Motley Zoo Animal Rescue–uses it as a push to do things differently. And along with a little rock n’ roll flare, they work.

For Em Lock, animal educator and reptile lover, the fascination and love for reptiles stems from childhood. But it wasn’t until she became an adult and started getting reptiles of her own that she realize, the things they truly need aren’t always what we’d expect.

When Jess-Operations and Community Coordinator at Cotl-brought Frida home, she knew her cat was a little nervous… But she wasn’t expecting her to be completely anti-social. Would Frida ever accept love from anyone but her human?

When Veronica Li, PhD graduate and dedicated ‘working dog’ mom, decided to get a dog, she knew she wanted a working dog. But instead of just getting one and hoping for the best, she had a plan.

Not only would she determine if she was fit to be a dog parent, she’d take on one of the most sought-after working dog breeds… And become part of a community she never imagined being in.

The moment Alek Darr–Cotl’s Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer–and his wife laid eyes on Pasquale, they immediately fell in love with him... But his curious nature would keep them on their toes as they established their new life together.

When Dr. Zoë Lumiere–Somatic Therapist, Spiritual Psychologist, Pet Grief Specialist, and Animal Rights Advocate–saw Fenix, she didn’t realize how complex his needs would be. She just knew she needed to rescue him. With time, patience, and a whole lot of love, she witnessed firsthand just how resilient and capable Fenix really was…

When Ben and JaAnna brought Willy into their lives, they knew they wanted to bring him along when they headed outdoors. What they didn’t realize was that this goofy dog would end up being the literal face of a movement: Bring your dog… All because of a secondhand 360 camera from Facebook marketplace.

Jenn Roedig, founder of Sage Paws, used her love of animals and her own experiences of loss as the driving force behind helping others navigate life with aging or ill pets. And by focusing not just on the pets, but on the pet parents and their needs too, she’s finding it helps them be more joyful and present as they move through life together.

When Elodie–shelter volunteer and advocate for “red-listed” dogs–first started volunteering, she was hesitant to visit her area’s high-kill shelter… But after seeing how many dogs truly needed her help, she made it her full-time mission to save as many as she could from being euthanized.

A couple years after his cat Loki passed, Sean (our founder and CEO!) and his partner, Spencer, felt it was time to get their other cat, Thor, a friend. That’s when they decided to get Jack (who made this special appearance in our Christmas post)! But what happened next was something they never expected… Welcoming Jack into their home would be a little… chaotic.

When Elka was on a mission to get her first cat, it needed to be a perfect match. Not for her… For her dog. Turns out, it was a breed of cat with a big personality and absolutely no fur that fit the bill. (And yes, they’re still full of calming, purring cuddles!)

Shelter staff spend so much time with the dogs in their care, they know their true potential. Behind the stress, the anxiety, the calls for attention–They know how the dog really is. That’s exactly how one “at risk” dog named Stetson got a second chance… And ended up as a specially trained detection K9.

Programs like CATS (Canine Airport Therapy Squad) at Denver International Airport (DIA) include over 125 dogs who come in to help ease stress for travelers from all over the world. But in 2018, they realized something was missing… And Liane and Nathan had just what they needed: Their very first therapy cat: Xeli.

Kayla Powers, foster mom and rescue advocate, began her foster journey with a very special dog she personally felt connected to... And now, knowing that research shows fostering a dog increases their chance of adoption by 14 times, she has no plans of stopping.