By Fran Block

Just when I needed her, Lily came into my life. I’d always had big dogs, but after my last venture with a very damaged rescue Aussie, I decided I needed to try a little dog. Her coat is black and wiry with white markings. So wiry, in fact, that people have said she looks like a Brillo pad. Her full name is Lilypad. I often just call her Luvy.

By Andi Eberhardt

About eight years ago, I was inching home to the East Bay in terrible traffic after visiting family in Laguna Beach for Thanksgiving. I finally pulled off somewhere between Bakersfield and Fresno to feed my whippet-pitbull mix. It was pitch-dark and cold. As Zoë ate, I noticed movement nearby and thought it might be some wild animal. I rushed Zoë back into the truck, but when I turned around the creature was already devouring her food and water – and then I saw that they were puppies.