I’ve started a Substack newsletter, The Kind Life, viewable at here. The newsletter explores animal minds, feelings, and behavior through real stories and science—and share practical ways to help animals.
Currently I’m researching ways to reach more readers and inspire more compassionate action for animals.
If you have ideas for people, publications, or communities that might connect with The Kind Life, I’d love to hear them. Thank you for reading and being part of this community. carolyn@carolyncott.com
In the meantime, here are a couple of pieces from The Kind Life you might enjoy:
Right now, a trembling dog is curled against a frozen wall, fighting to stay awake. A hungry cat is crying in the dark, desperate for warmth that never comes.
Without help, they may not survive.
Please, don’t let them face the cold alone. You could be the reason one frightened animal is lifted out of the freezing night and into safety.
Gracie the cat found her way to us when my daughters were young. She had been thrown from a car and made her way to the yard of a kind couple who cared for her. Their inside cat was highly territorial and wouldn’t tolerate another cat, so they sought a home for this ginger-colored cat. Through a friend of a friend, she came to us.
When she entered our house, Gracie was respectful. She moved gently and quietly, her body and pace relaxed. She observed people and animals before doing anything. Our resident cat was unthreatened and curious about her. Our rescue pit bull befriended her, showing his affection by frequently slurping the side of her face. Gracie squinted against it, shook off the spit, and then gazed fondly at the dog.
Gracie connected deeply with my younger daughter in particular and allowed her to do the things that young girls sometimes do: dress the cat in doll’s clothing, push her around in a pram, and drape her over her shoulder and wander through the house.
Gracie seemed to have an understanding of emotional needs of her humans. One example is this: she had always slept with my younger daughter, but the one and only night she changed her routine was when our beloved pitbull died. That night, Gracie divided her time evenly between us, lending her gentle presence by snuggling against us in our beds before moving to the next person.
I love this peaceful photograph of her. Gracie sat for a long time gazing out at the twilight snowfall. When she turned, she looked at me, blinked slowly (the cat equivalent of a kiss), jumped down, and sauntered through the house.
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Roughly 6.5 million animals enter shelters in the US each year but only 3.2 million are adopted (ASPCA). Progress has been made: compared to 1973, the number of cats and dogs entering shelters annually is down more than 20 million (Humane World for Animals [formerly Humane Society of the United States]).
If you are in the market for a dog or cat, this site is searchable by location, species, gender, age, color, care and behavior, and whether they’re good with kids, dog, and cats: Find an adoptable cat or dog near you: https://www.petfinder.com/
Please take a look on Substack and subscribe for free for a weekly dose of hope with real stories, insights, and simple actions you can take to improve animal welfare.
I’m Carolyn Cott, an animal-welfare advocate and professional writer who’s always asking, “How can we make things better for the creatures who share our world?” Perhaps you’re asking the same question.
Whether you’re a seasoned rescuer, a caring pet parent, or someone who simply wonders, “What can I do to help?” this space is for you. Here’s what you’ll find:
Heartfelt, real-life stories of animals (and humans) that uplift and surprise
Research and insights into animal behavior, antics, and communication
Myths versus facts about animals, animal advocacy strategies that work, and human-animal connection
Interviews with vets, rescue workers, trainers, and public officials
Practical ideas—mini-actions and meaningful moves—that you can easily act on
I know that a lot of writing about animal welfare can feel heavy or alarming. Here we shift the tone to hope and curiosity rather than fear, to connection over detachment, and to actions—big and small—that are doable and feel meaningful.
I’d love to hear from you: your thoughts, your questions, even weird things your dog or cat does (my ears will perk up), and topics you’d like to see featured.
Here’s to kindness in action, discovery in every paw print, and shared steps toward a gentler world. Please subscribe for a weekly letter delivered to your inbox and please share this post. Thank you!
Copper Rules: What would Copper do? Enjoy the change of seasons!
by Raquel Bruno
I started writing Copper Rules when we lost our beautiful Chocolate Lab Mix, Copper, in June. He was that perfect blend of elder statesman and big brother to all of the fosters we watched over, and then eventually to our children. He was my shadow in every way imaginable from sitting at my feet during morning coffee on the patio to laying by my side as my pregnant belly grew. He had an important role to fill, and he did it unconditionally with great purpose and determination. Dogs are known for their love and loyalty, but Copper was different. His depth of soul was felt by everyone who entered his world, and he made sure that everyone felt welcome in his space.
Since then, I have thought deeply about the lessons he instilled within us and even in the ether, he sends his messages daily through feathers, birds and thought transmissions. Copper Rules came to me as a whisper, almost as if he was telling me a secret in my ear. Today as I write this, Fall has begun to show itself with a dip in temperature as well as a transition from greenery to Copper’s coat color, which are highlighted in the trees as the leaves complete their life cycle—just as Copper did. I am reminded that Copper loved the change of seasons. He loved summer, because he could lounge in the shallow water of the ocean or place his Scooby-Doo like body in a tiny kiddie pool but he loved the change into a cooler temperature because of his heavy coat. We live near woods and when he was still able, he relished the idea of long walks on a forest blanket of yellow, red, and orange crunchy leaves under his paws, and taking in aromatic scents of the earth. It brought him life and vital energy. As with any of our four-legged furry family members, in the summer, walks are reduced due to potential heat exhaustion and being that Copper was more than 100 pounds, we made sure not to overtax him. With Fall, he had the freedom to roam for as long as his body allowed him to. It also served many more benefits for the humans in his life as well: a chance to spend quality time together, explore new areas, take in life as it unfolds, and marvel at the beauty this planet provides—a pastime that all family members can enjoy together.
The other seasons were just as enjoyable to Copper. He would bury his snout deep into a snow bank to catch an animal scent and leap up into snowflakes as they cascaded down on his nose in the Winter. He would chase butterflies and take in the aroma of new grass, gardens and flowers in the Spring. He would sunbathe (even during his last final days) and luxuriate in the pleasure of a shallow wave in the Summer. But I think the greatest thing that Copper would want to convey is to find the beauty in each and every moment—a passing of time, if you will, while having gratitude for what each season brings to us. Some of us love the heat, and some of us, love the cold—but the sentiment stays the same. Enjoying each nuance of the beauty each season provides nourishes us. Spending quality time together in each of those seasons is truly what mattered to Copper.
So, Copper wants to know: How will you enjoy your change of the seasons? Will you try a new baking recipe? Will you invent a new holiday just to spend time with family and friends? Will you go for that walk in a park you have never before explored? Will you truly look for the beauty in each moment the seasons provide?
Copper wants to know!
Raquel Bruno is a TV & Film Producer who runs Drive Entertainment Group & Thrive with Drive. When she isn’t producing or life-coaching, she spends her time raising her two beautiful kids with her husband, writing Copper Rules, DJ’ing, and now training their new addition: a lab/border collie mix her family adopted from North Shore Animal League: the very same place they adopted Copper.
