A week ago we lost our beloved dog, Bandit. I've been thinking back on her life quite a lot since then and I'd like to take this opportunity to tell you about her. The earliest part of her story (that we know) is that she was found stuck in the mud by rescuers in the … Continue reading Mourning a Pet: Saying Goodbye to Bandit
There are many hurdles that could potentially interfere with someone adopting a pet. Even the biggest animal lovers among us have complex, multi-faceted lives. There's the issue of time, space, and certainly finances. Some people simply are not in a place in their life where they're prepared to meet the needs of a pet, even … Continue reading The Value in Fostering an Animal
I have officially had my pit bull mix Ember for an entire year. I wanted to take this opportunity to tell her story a little bit and perhaps encourage you to consider adoption. About a year ago I was working primarily as dog staff at my local Humane Society. I have a very clear memory … Continue reading Ember’s One Year Adoptiversary
Like everyone else on the planet I've experienced things that gave me hope for humanity and things that absolutely broke my heart. My time working at the animal shelter was no different. I saw people patiently get to know nervous dogs and slowly earn their trust before giving them a forever home. I remember a … Continue reading Why you Probably Shouldn’t Gift a Pet
Full disclosure: I do have a pit bull at home. Some people may think that makes me biased, but I think having one in my life, in addition to my time spent working with dogs at the animal shelter, gives me additional insight into this topic. I won't be getting into any anecdotes about my … Continue reading The Truth About Pit Bulls
About four years ago we brought our cat José home for the first time. A coworker was no longer able to keep him and we took him off her hands so he didn't end up at the shelter. He was roughly eleven weeks old and I remember feeling nervous because even though I'd had pets … Continue reading Why you Shouldn’t Declaw your Cat
When I first became interested in homesteading and self-sufficiency I gravitated towards the idea of making things myself as much as possible. I not only wanted to make my own food, but also things like toothpaste, deodorant, cleaning products, etc. As I was researching I quickly found that not only were these things often not … Continue reading When it Makes Sense to Do-It-Yourself
There are many ways someone can participate in creating a better community, such as: supporting local businesses, volunteering, donating to local charities, or joining a group like a church, sports team, or other club. Why does it matter? There is research that indicates that people who actively participate in their communities have a higher sense … Continue reading Community Involvement
I imagine when most people hear the term minimalism their mind first goes to one of those paintings hanging in a museum with nothing but a blue dot in the middle. Now, this isn't the type of art I gravitate towards, but to each their own. However, I do resent it for giving minimalism a … Continue reading A Move Towards Minimalism
If you're not familiar with the world of homesteading you may be picturing a 'Little House on the Prairie' scenario. Let me clarify what I'm talking about. Homesteading is a lifestyle focused on self-sufficiency. For some people, that means having a few backyard chickens, a vegetable garden, and making homemade bread twice a week. Other … Continue reading Homesteading: A Call to a Simpler Life
The Vegan Homesteader 