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I have no name, but that doesn’t bother me. What is a name anyway? I live in the woods near the farmhouse at the edge of the village they call Pierzwin. The little girl lives in the farmhouse. She’s small, so small, and toddles when she walks. She is mine, this I know. I am hers. This she knows. The one who doesn’t know is the old woman with whom the girl lives. The girl must always beg for a scrap of bread for me, which the woman throws far from the farmhouse door, as though this would keep me away from the girl.
When I first saw the little girl playing along the edge of the creek, I knew she was mine to watch over. She was stooped down looking at a rock, the sun glinting off her flax-colored hair. I stood downstream, regarding her. The girl looked up at me and laughed. I can still hear the sound—like a thin, golden strand twirling up into the air. I walked to her and nuzzled into the crook of her arm. She laughed again, breathing sweet breath on me.
Today everything is different.
Yesterday as the day darkened, the little girl played alone in the farmyard. Snow started, then grew heavy, swirling from every direction. Instead of going inside, the girl toddled toward the woods. I watched the farmhouse door to see if the old woman would call for her. She did not. I followed the girl, a few feet behind her, whining and willing her to turn back.
She meandered to the edge of the creek. Looking up at the sky, she stuck out her tongue to catch the snowflakes, lost her balance, and slipped down the steep slope toward the water. I caught the edge of her skirt in my teeth but it did not stop her. The cloth ripped, the water splashed, and the girl cried. I leapt to her. She took hold of my fur, and I pulled us up the slope.
I tried to lead her to the farmhouse, but she turned the other way. I barked for her to follow me, but she kept her course, away. I followed. At the edge of the woods I tried to steer her back, but she sat down, shivering. I took the arm of her coat gently between my teeth and tugged, but she lay down and cried. I peered into the darkness. Was there no one who would come for her? I thought to run to the farmhouse door and bark, but I couldn’t leave her. I lay down, circling myself around her small body, willing her shivering to stop. More snow came. The girl slept, and so, eventually, did I.
At first light, I heard the calls. I nosed the girl awake and barked, again and again. The girl sat up. I nosed her again: call out, cry out. She sat mute. I continued barking. I sensed the footfalls on the earth before I saw the people. I ran to the men, then sprinted back and forth between the men and the girl, trying to tell them. They followed me. A man scooped the girl into his arms and carried her away. I stood watching for a few moments then, hanging back, followed.
The old woman ran from the farmhouse door and grasped the girl. There were so many people, so much noise. I watched, then retreated. As I walked into the woods I heard a whistle. Looking over my shoulder, I saw a man coming toward me. I thought to dash away, but something in his manner seemed gentle. I sat down and waited for him to approach. He extended his hand for me to sniff and touched my head. “It was you,” he said, “you are the one. Come.”
I walked a few respectful paces behind him. We entered the farmyard. The man said some words to the old woman. She studied me, then opened the door wide and with a sweep of her hand asked me to enter the farmhouse. I looked into her eyes for a moment, and then stepped inside to warmth.
German shepherd photo by Maggie Smith
by guest blogger Olivia Jannuzzi
Hello there
Giving a voice to the voiceless and a big hand to those with paws, Untold Animal Stories combines true and stylized storytelling with animal advocacy, resulting in an uncommon and inspiring blog. This website features articles with tips for pet owners, petitions and opportunities to help animals in need, and occasionally a video demonstrating an animal’s intelligence and importance. The main feature of the blog is the innovative short stories that are often told from an animal’s perspective, putting the reader on all fours, and allowing us to get a tiny feel of what these animals experience daily.
As you read the stories, you are seeing life through an animal’s eyes. We are put in the panther’s entrapment at the zoo as a crowd stares. We are rescued with a stray dog who finds a loving family and a warm bed. We experience peaceful life as a cow on a wide green pasture. Without forcing it, and without disgusting and shocking people with the harsh realities of what these animals go through, these creative stories are a subtle yet effective technique for people to build compassion for animals, and to help raise animal advocacy awareness.
Raising awareness for animals is important for several significant reasons. For starters, it is important for people to know where their food is coming from and what methods were used to get the meat from the animal to the plate. Currently factory farming dominates food production in the United States, with approximately 99% of farm animals subjected to these factories and about ten billion animals per year slaughtered for food. The animals are routinely mistreated and abused, and the practices used by the farmers are often cruel and horrendous. Not only that, but factory farms are one of the biggest polluters in the nation, putting humans’ health at risk as well.
Of course, factory farming is not the only option we have to put food on our plates. The Humane League* works to raise consciousness and alert the world on what is really going on with their food, and presents alternatives to eating factory farmed meat by encouraging healthy and tasty options like Meatless Monday, or the benefits of going vegan/vegetarian. The switch from factory farmed meat to cruelty-free alternatives can save hundreds of animals’ lives while also making the planet and you healthier.
When you see something destructive or dangerous happening, it is our nature and right to take action against it. Even the smallest efforts go a long way and can save a significant number of animals’ lives. Unfortunately, animals do not have the voice (or thumbs) to stop the horrible treatment that they are subjected to, which is why it is important we give them a voice and a chance to live better lives. Untold Animal Stories creates that voice to help open up people’s minds and see that animal’s lives are just as significant and meaningful as our own.
~ ~ ~* Since its founding in 2005, the Humane League’s mission has been to save the lives of as many animals as possible and to reduce animal cruelty. We want a world where all animals are treated with the same respect and compassion that we show to our beloved family dog or cat.
Originally founded in Philadelphia, the Humane League has grown to be a leading national presence for farm animals with offices in Philadelphia, Boston, Maryland, Dallas, Charlotte, Seattle, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Miami. Funding comes from our tens of thousands of supporters across the world. For more information or to contribute, please visit: http://www.thehumaneleague.com/donate.html 
Photo Credits: Stephanie Frankle
Please bring your animals inside. Fur helps but doesn’t do much in icy winds and frigid temperatures.
If you keep your dogs or cats outside, consider what it’s like to have cutting winter winds blow through your fur.
Please, have a heart. Bring dogs and cats inside. They feel pain too.
photo courtesy of Spaniel in the Snow by Tina Phillips, freedigitalphotos.com
AnimalPetitions.org, part of the ForceChange.com network, is dedicated to protecting both wild and domestic animals from abuse and harm at the hands of humans. The Animal Petitions community is comprised of passionate citizen activists dedicated to taking action to protect animals. The activism? Simply sign your name to petitions with messages you value.
AnimalsPetitions.org has contributed to a number of successes, including conservation funding for wild animals, tightened puppy mill laws, animal welfare law passage in Thailand, reenlistment of gray wolves as an endangered species, CEO resignation over animal abuse, and more.
Please consider signing your name (they do not share emails–I know this from personal experience). http://animalpetitions.org/
Thanks,
Carolyn
Wild & Domestic Animals illustration courtesy of Vlado, freedigitalphotos.net
by guest blogger Jay Erb*
January 2015
Dear Miss Tia,
I miss you every day, but this month has stirred my thoughts even more as I remember the 14th anniversary of when we met and the one-year anniversary of when we laid you to rest. 
You were such a pitiful sight when we met. At 26 pounds, your spine and ribs were showing, ear mites kept you scratching and shaking your head, fleas caused patches of missing fur, and you had an umbilical hernia, but you were still a really cute little dog. Your personality was interesting—so friendly yet so scared that you shook. It didn’t take long before I knew I wanted to adopt you. I bet you really felt better once Dr. G took care of your medical issues, and soon you doubled your weight to get to your healthy 50 – 55 pound range. Every year when you went in for your annual checkup, Dr. G and her staff would comment on what a pretty girl you were and how sad you looked when they first met you.
I really miss our daily walks, and not taking walks with you every day has also really hurt my fitness level. For a while, walking at Coventry Woods wasn’t an option for me, as it felt so empty walking the trails without you. You were such a big part of helping to design and build that trail system. Now other dogs can bring their humans for a hike because of the work you helped to do. I am beginning to enjoy those trails again, because I remember the times we worked on and walked those trails together. Then there were the mental health benefits of our walks. Especially when your Grandmom and Granddad got sick and passed on, those walks in the woods with you really helped me. So many people knew you as my walking partner. Our bicycle rides on the Schuylkill River Trail were a lot of fun too.
The house still seems really empty without you, especially when I get home and you don’t greet me at the door. Going to bed isn’t the same; I miss your little, contented sigh every night when you’d curl up at the foot of the bed and I’d cover you with your blanket. Meals aren’t the same either, without you lying next to my chair in the kitchen. I continue to see hiding places in each room for your treats when we played your favorite “Find It” game. I know your Mommy really misses you too.
Thank you for enriching my life, and for being Daddy’s little girl.
Love, Dad
*Jay Erb is Chair of the North Coventry Parks & Recreation Commission.
After 12 days of searching, he had lost hope. But then he learned about this awesome tip and how this has reunited many lost dogs with their families.
On day 12 of searching for my dog in a heavily wooded area, distraught and hopeless, I ran into a couple of hunters. They said they lost the occasional dog on a hunt but always got them back. What they told me has helped many dogs and families be reunited. I’ve given their advice out a few times in the last couple days, so I thought if reddit has any lost dogs out there, this could help:
The dog owner(s) should take an article of clothing that has been worn at least all day, the longer the better, so the lost dog can pick up the scent.
Bring the article of clothing to the location where the dog was last seen and leave it there. Also, if the dog has a crate & familiar toy, you can bring those too (unless location undesirable for crate). You might also want to leave a note requesting item(s) not to be moved.
Leave a bowl of water there too, as the dog probably hasn’t had access to any. Do not bring food as this could attract other animals that the dog might avoid.
Come back the next day, or check intermittently if possible. Hopefully the dog will be waiting there.
I was skeptical and doubted my dog would be able to detect an article of clothing if he didn’t hear me calling his name as loud as possible all day for 12 days. But I returned the next day and sure enough found him sitting there!
I hope this helps someone out there who’s missing a best friend. Good luck.
Read more at http://www.reshareworthy.com/how-to-find-a-lost-dog/#cHloHS7bVoLx6m3o.99
Reprinted from Reshareworthy Media/News website
Untold Animal Stories 