Notes from the Editors

Janice Brown,
Founder/Editorial Director

I love this time of year. I have vivid memories of pulling into my grandparents’ driveway and seeing their magnolia tree overflowing with blossoms. My grandma also enjoyed these first warm days, and always told us it was the only Mother’s Day gift she needed. For me, it meant school was almost out; isn’t that every kid’s dream?
Although I no longer eagerly await the school bell ringing and the indescribable feeling of freedom that accompanies walking out of your last exam, I still get excited when I flip the calendar from May to June. It seems that simple act creates the reality that summer is almost here.
Our pets may live in the moment more than we do, but I believe they sense the good energy, as well. Maybe Luna, my White Shepherd mix, realizes it when she starts losing clumps of fur. And at some point the cats feel it, and their days of intense snuggling are gone until the fall.
Somehow the dogs intuitively get that when my husband calls them to the car these days, it’s not going to be an ordinary trip to his office. They immediately begin the “beach wiggle.” I’m sure you’re familiar with the crazy dance dogs do when they’re happy, which involves lots of circles, panting, and, well, wiggling. When I see this happening, there is nothing else to do but smile. It is a dance of pure joy.
With the carefree days of summer ahead, my wish is that you have a few opportunities to not only watch your pets partake in that happy dance, but that you can join in (at least once).

Here’s to warm, happy days ahead-


Jason A. Heidemann,
Managing Editor

I had one of those “summer is finally coming” moments recently. I was in New York and decided to take in a Broadway show. I hadn’t seen one in nearly a decade and was feeling like it was time to right a terrible wrong. The big musical of the moment is Spring Awakening, a teen drama based on a 19th-century German play. Back then it was banned (for nearly 70 years) due to its controversial subject matter, including teen pregnancy and suicide, but this new musical version treated the topics with tremendous sensitivity. The score was written by Duncan Sheik and the dance sequences were choreographed by modern-dance legend Bill T. Jones. It was amazing and I walked out of the theater on a high.
The title made me think about this time of year and the transformation that takes place as winter turns to spring and spring to summer. We’re finally at that tipping point where every day more or less feels like summer. Depending on your geography, that may mean sticky days and warm nights, cool ocean breezes, or an intense, dry heat. We know and I think our pets know too that summer is upon us.
But what I like about June in particular is that the climate is almost universally ideal. The heat is on, but it’s not the swelling temps of July and August. Let’s grab onto June for endless daylight, open windows, and days at the dog park. Here’s hoping you and your pets enjoy it while it lasts.