In a world that seems divided, there’s one thing that brings us together: the love that we have for our pets.
After a long hiatus, this year, this month, this week feels serendipitously perfect for us to bring back our special INDY Pets Issue. Couldn’t we all use a little fluffy unity and some waggly-tailed good feelings in these trying times?
INDY reporter Justin Laidlaw’s reflection on co-parenting his dog, Ghengis, with his roommate, Tom, hits those notes to a tee. They’ve been a cohabitating trio for a decade—through three presidencies, a global pandemic, moving house and medical procedures, and changes in careers and romantic relationships. Read “Two and a Half Men” if you want to smile hard.
For more local folks making good in the animal space, check out Sarah Edwards’s write-up on PawBoost, the popular app dedicated to tracking down lost pets. And read reporter Chloe Courtney Bohl’s profile of Helen Greenberg, the Raleigh woman who’s devoted her life to rescuing raptors.
We’ve also got a couple of Q&As for you: on red wolves at the Museum of Life and Science and Dog Days at the Durham Library, plus this roundup of local cat cafes.
Of course, pet ownership and our love for our furry (or feathered) friends can be as fraught as any other relationship; life is tough in the animal kingdom, too, and we haven’t shied away from the hard stories.
A Look Inside the INDY’s 2024 Pets Issue
Did you know that animal shelters across the Triangle, and the country, are seriously overburdened? Post-pandemic, the cost of veterinary care has soared and the housing shortage has made it easier for landlords to discriminate against pet owners, particularly those who own large-breed dogs. Read about why there’s an overcrowding epidemic and what you can do to help by INDY summer interns Matthew Junkroski and Mila Mascenik.
Any pet paper worth its kibble wouldn’t be complete without pics. Yep, there are some adorable, adoptable dogs, cats, and even rabbits featured in photos inside these pages, all just waiting for you to take them home. Or check out our gallery of staff pets —very good boys and girls, all.
We hope you enjoy this paper, and we hope it brings you joy and teaches you something new.
Remember, when times seem dark, you can always hug a dog, pet a cat, or support the humans who care for animals awaiting their forever homes. Or simply do like our INDY staff and post your pet pics to the office Slack channel to brighten everyone’s day. And brighten it will—the power of pets is real.
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