Men Inspired: Issue 1
Celebrating the pets who inspired their humans to do great things.
For all the grand aspirations and lofty ambitions people chase, its often our four-legged companions that bring out our best. A dog’s relentless optimism or a cat’s quiet confidence can leave lasting impressions that need no human words to communicate. Their whole-hearted presence may nudge us out of complacency or awaken something deep inside. The pets of my fellow Substack writers helped them do more, become more, and achieve more than they ever imagined.
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.
James Branson, who writes Three Retrievers Newsletter, is not a person with nothing to do. Helping lost dogs find their way home keeps him fully engaged in his community at all hours of the day and night. James and his search teams have experience in over 10,000 missing pet cases!
“Everything I do these days, Three Retrievers Lost Pet Rescue, and my nonprofit, Useless Bay Sanctuary, it all started with Kelsy. I saw her picture as a puppy in the shelter and I drove a hundred miles to adopt her. I always wanted to work with her as a search dog, and then one day we went to the off leash park and there was a flier on the bulletin board offering training to teach your dog to find lost pets. I immediately knew that was the work I wanted to do with Kelsy. She was my search dog for eight years. I still think of her every day.”
There were a number of reasons why Scott Ko was inspired to create FloofStack, It all began with his newsletter The Curiosity Mindset, where he explores curiosity as a way to help people make sense of the world, to overcome challenges, and to connect with each other.
“I believe there is more that connects us than separates us. But in order to do that, we need to be open to that possibility, which is why I'm so locked in on curiosity. There's so much that can be opened with a simple question. As a crazy cat man, it's really only a hop and a skip away from curiosity to the spiritual animal of 'cats', which brought me to FloofStack. Pets are pretty universal. I get cats aren't for everyone, but they (along with all our other pets) represent a different form of connection that so many people can relate to. There's a joyful simplicity to their lives, yet they represent some of the most steadfast companions that people can have. We can laugh at (or with) them, get a cuddle when we're down, and find a different type of fulfilment. As long as people like cats, then all subscribers to Floofstack are welcome!”
The sweet floofs that call Nur Nadar their own proved their worth is better than a suave pick-up line. With faces that plead, “Pet me,” how could anyone pass their circle and not step in?!
“Meelo is 3, bear is 2. Meelo I raised during a really challenging period in my life where I really learned the value of having something outside myself to focus on almost 24/7 (Samoyed puppies are infamously challenging). Bear I raised while moving back out on my own solo adventure in NYC. Met a ton of people through him and a bunch of friends and dates/girlfriend at the time. Dogs added a lot of passion to my life.”
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” – Anatole France
Before you move on, take a look at these PetStack posts readers have enjoyed.
PetStack First Edition features a cornucopia of dogs, cats, horses, and a big-eared donkey and just a few of the alternate monikers by which they are called. Because, what pet only has 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.
Joy Begets Joy features a few traditional pets, a few non-traditional friends, and cute puppies and kittens.
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.