Joy Begets Joy
I'm not the only one having fun with pets!
When I first conjured up the idea of “joy” as the theme for this PetStack post, my mind overflowed with images of spirited puppies tumbling in a heap and feisty kittens stalking catnip mice. As a long-time foster parent to canines and felines young and old, I’ve spent countless hours capturing the playful antics of these furry companions.
But why limit joy to those who yip and meow when the world is full of wonderful creatures who squawk, snort, neigh, squeak, and peck their way into our hearts. The line between their joy and ours blurs beautifully, creating a tapestry of mutual delight.
Reminder: If you have a pet you’d like featured on PetStack, let me know! I’m curious! Send a direct message (DM) to Cindy Ojczyk on Substack or subscribe to the Petstack newsletter and respond to the email. Please submit 3 to 6 pictures along with few lines describing your featured pet(s). Need more detail? See the PetStack About page.
As a former interior designer, I was drawn to the stories in Under the Jacarandas where Sandra Stephans and her partner have committed to the restoration of a centuries-old home in Portugal. The photos of the feral flock of chickens inhabiting their landscape is a big reason I keep returning to her site!
“My chickens are such a symbol of this property we bought, which has been abandoned for 34 years. The chickens were apparently left in their coop to fend for themselves, and over time they went wild and lived in the trees. The rooster is the symbol of Portugal, making this place seem particularly Portuguese, especially since there are more than 20 roosters, all of whom get along, being part of the same extended family. As we are restoring the houses and gardens, we figure we owe it to the flock to restore their sense of safety in the world. And maybe get some eggs! They are smart and have individual personalities; we are raising four little orphan hens from just days old, and they'll be the future of a much more domesticated flock that eschews the trees for the safety of the coop at night - we hope!”
Chloe Ackerman, a writer who drew me in with her Dog Lover’s Guide to Feeling Better, sent me a message asking if I’d consider rats for this PetStack. Would I? You bet!
“These are my three rats, Penelope, Juniper, and Jezebel. I had them several years ago, so they’re no longer with me, but I thought it would be lovely to honor them in Petstack. “I went to the pet store to get two rats (because you should never have just one, of course). But much like tribbles, you tend to find yourself with more, and so I walked out with sisters shy Juniper and fiery Jezebel, and Penelope the sweetie.
If you’ve had the pleasure of reading FloofStack and scrolling through image after image of fanciful felines from around the globe, you will have gotten to know Scott Ko and his “bestest girl,” Samantha.
“I've had Sam since she was a kitten (adopted from a shelter) and the first moment we met, she was purring. She's a one in a million cat with that really balanced temperament where she's independent but not aloof. She's friendly without being needy. Playful but not destructive. And whenever we play fight, she would never scratch, even though I've never trimmed her nails. But perhaps the best way to describe her is that she's the type of cat that when faced with food or company, she'll always come say hi first. She's just the best girl, and she never fails to cheer."
Jeanne Grant, who documents her lifelong dream to build a healing sanctuary for animals and humans in her newsletter A Good Spot, began fostering after the passing of her long-time, four-legged companion, Ande. She didn’t raise her hand for an easy assignment. No. She jumped into wrangling puppies – two spirited siblings, growing like weeds.
How could I start this post referencing playful kittens and not include one! This feisty little girl provided a weekend’s worth of entertainment while I volunteered for Leech Lake Legacy during their veterinary wellness and surrender event.
If you’d like to see more pets from people over the moon in love, check out these posts.
PetStack First Edition features a cornucopia of dogs, cats, horses, and a big-eared donkey along with a smattering of alternate monikers. Because, what pet has only one name?!
Women Inspired: Issue 1 is the first story in a series to elevate the animals whose lives and personalities inspired their people to make a difference in the world.
More pet stories are coming. Be sure you are subscribed to PetStack to get the latest delivered to your inbox.
Do you have a pet you’d like featured in PetStack? Send a direct message (DM) to Cindy Ojczyk on Substack or subscribe to the Petstack newsletter and respond to the email. Please send 3 to 6 pictures along with few lines describing your featured pet(s). Need more detail? See the PetStack About page.
Enjoy other people’s pets? Share this story and encourage them to submit to PetStack.
“In times of joy, all of us wished we possessed a tail we could wag.” – W.H. Auden
Those little mouse paws are adorably yet rather eerily human-looking!