Growing up, a parade of dogs surrounded my family and me—no cats, just dogs of all shapes and sizes. Each one left a pawprint on my heart and played a significant role in shaping who I am today. We had a German Shepherd who was as brave as he was loyal, and a tiny...

One of the saddest childhood memories I have is giving up my dog. It was heartbreaking for all my siblings, but it was up to me and my twin sister to find our beloved Chihuahua, Mitchie, a new home. We grew up with the custom of having outdoor pets, typical for our...