Ah, stress! The ever-present uninvited guest at the banquet of life, refusing to leave even after polite (or impolite) hints. Now, some folks, bless their little cortisol-pumping hearts, seem to thrive on it. They’re like squirrels on espresso, bouncing off the walls with deadlines looming and their smart phones exploding with emails. Me?… Read More

I began a new job in May, 1981. I had interviewed for it for quite some time, (Walt at MDS), and had to convince two hardcore male chauvinists that I was the right person for the job, though my immediate supervisor was enthusiastic about hiring me. The two older men hired a man my age… Read More

Among the many heroes who emerged from the ashes of the Oklahoma City bombing in April, 1995, were three Golden Retrievers from Miami, Florida, with the unlikely names of Aspen, Maggie, and Brandee. The dogs all belonged to the Metro Dade County Fire Department and were also a part of the FEMA Task Force 1… Read More

Sleeping Arrangements  What’s more fun than a new kitten?  (See ASPCA) But they do require some serious training to show them who’s boss.   So the day we brought Jackie home from the ASPCA we read him the house rules –  don’t bite the hand that feeds you,  keep your paws off the house plants,  and… Read More

I posted this story in response to the prompt, “Lightning.” But it’s really a story about the most brilliant pet ever. Homer: Semper amati, semper recordati, semper in cordibus nostris Read More

We felt a bit deceived—after all, we only agreed to take him because she had begged—but he had clearly had a traumatic adolescence and changed since his owner had died.  We still took him in, the damaged goods, and named him “Jack”. Read More

                                                                    Ah, pets. Those adorable bundles of fur, feathers, or scales that waddle or paddle into your life, demanding cuddles and causing… Read More

The moral of the tale is that it is possible to have a perfectly behaved dog — just not one trained by anyone in my family. Read More

Who Trained Who? In our house it’s pretty obvious! RetroFlash / 6 Words – Dana Susan Lehrman  Read More

I had one opportunity to spend a few days with my brother and some other road comics. The scene was southern California in the late 1980s. Hugh was working constantly--a lot of college campuses as well as comedy clubs. Read More