Not a lot to be cheery about these days, but if we look around us, we can see lots of love and support from our pets. To honor their eternal loyalty and friendship, here are photos and stories from folks who are finding comfort in their pets.
If you’d like to share a story and photo, email them to jmorris@bayareanewsgroup.com. Include the pet’s name, your name, the city you live in, and a few sentences on how your pet is helping.
Pedro
Pedro is a TNR kitty, and had been hanging around on the other side of our street for a little while. I don’t remember ever seeing him before that, but he got very attached to me after I began paying attention to him. We took him to the vet and were so surprised to hear that according to his microchip he is 7 years old.
Turns out a neighbor a block or two away had trapped him and 12 of his closest friends, and taken them in to be neutered. He was released again and lived all those years on the street before I found him.
He is very talky and we have long conversations about things, a very good distraction right now. He is so lovable and craves attention, which I am happy to give him. He also loves his cat tree after I showed him what it was for and how to get up there. So many firsts for him. He had never seen a TV or a vacuum cleaner or watched someone brush their teeth, all of which scared him in the beginning but he is adjusting quickly.
Lois Grace, San Jose
Sadie
We are missing our cousins, friends, activities and sports terribly. Having Sadie has brought us continued love and comfort during this difficult time. She always seems to know when we need a laugh or an extra cuddle. This is Sadie and Sophie.
Sara Schlag, Keizer, Oregon
Shig and Samara
Shig the cat and Samara the dog are important members of the family.
Molly Weden, Pleasant Hill
Chelsea
Our cherished dog’s name is Chelsea. We rescued her when she was 1 year old and she is now 7.
Our dog is a loyal dog who loves being with her family. Chelsea participated in our family yoga session the other day, demonstrating her expert “downward dog.” She has been “practicing” for a long time.
Donna Watson, Dublin
Kody
Our dog, Kody, has been helping us get through this crisis by keeping us company.
Emma and Hannah, Elk Grove
Pepper
Cuddling while watching television with Pepper.
Dave David, Livermore
Henry
Henry is very calming to be with. He is the mellowest lab ever and enjoys being with his people. Having his company chases away the blues!
Linda, San Ramon
Nike
This is my 10-year-old Chihuahua mix, Nike. He’s helping me through the anxiety of Covid-19 and at the same time supporting me emotionally through the death of my mom that happened on March 9. He is the best cuddler, little spooner and built-in heater.
Kat Evangelista, Daly City
Leo
This is Leo. He’s 4 years old, going on 6 months; a perPETual kitten. He loves to chase his sister, who hates it. They are two of my rescue kitties, who give me joy in these uncertain times.
Lisa Bail, San Jose
Oscar, Teddy, Ruby and Charley
We also have four pets. The cats are Oscar and Teddy, and the dogs are Ruby and Charley. The cats are lap cats and love cuddling anytime of the day or night.
The dogs love cuddling too and belly rubs are their favorite. We all go on long family walks every night. Ruby — she is the white one — loves to howl and Charley tries to help so we do family howling sessions everyday.
Mike and Maggie Sienkiewicz, Tucson, Arizona
Frida
We are finding comfort in the garden, the silence around us and our Chihuahua, Frida. I fell in November and she has been by my side during my recovery; protective and attentive for months now. I’m feeling so much better but now we are in isolation.
My husband is home from work and Frida makes us laugh every day. I am very grateful to have this sweetie as part of our family.
Jim and Linda Marglon, Hayward
Anna
This is my Swiss mountain dog, Anna. She sleeps on the pillow next to mine every night. If I wake up in the middle of the night we touch each other and sometimes I get a kiss. She is a great comfort to me during this time of uncertainty.
Katherine Murray, Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Donner
I love my pets, love gardening, and love the outdoors, as in the regional park districts. My labradoodle, Donner, loves hiking and running in the parks and we are there at least five days a week.
I am a 74 year old woman and stay active because of Donner. Here he is at Crater Lake, not particularly enjoying himself because of the steep cliffs and leash laws. Please stay safe.
Libby Teel, Oakland
Finnigan
Finnigan loves sheltering in place.
Mary Ann O’Toole
Bentley
Bentley sits on top of the sofa and barks to warn me of anything happening in front of my house. He also loves to lie close to me when I’m sitting on the sofa, cuddling. He certainly adds affection and company to my days.
Dorothy Giammona, Castro Valley
Chica
Chica is a Lab rescue from Puerto Rico. She’s my protector and a great watch dog who loves riding in the car and walking around the lake.
Barr Agran
Ben and Tiger Lily
I’m a quilt maker and my very mellow Bengal cats, Ben and Tiger Lily, are calming me down just by their peaceful acceptance, and demonstrating their trust and love by staying near me. They love napping on my warm ironing board, right next to my sewing machine.
Ann Loar, Lafayette
Lambchops
My Siamese cat, Lambchops, has been helping me through isolation. He cuddles with me constantly and helps lessen my anxiety. He also follows me around the house and begs for attention. He is my best friend during the pandemic crisis.
Nancy, Castro Valley
Finnegan
My work-from-home sidekick, Finnegan, has a new favorite new spot — my keyboard, which forces me to take breaks. He loves me being around more. I take breaks in the backyard to enjoy the bazillions of birds flocking to my feeders and little water oasis.
I am fortunate to be surrounded by open space and canyon trails, so am out there several times a day to take in the deer, crows, hawks, rabbits and the spring blossoms.
Joan Dentler, Belmont
Iggy
He is my sunshine! His beautiful doggy smile lifts my heart.
Carole Levenson, Oakland
Trixie and Sweet Pea
This is Trixie, my 1-year-old Maine coon. She loves to play and will leap high into the air when I throw her mousie toys. She’ll sometime sleep with me at night.
Sweet Pea is my beautiful tuxedo. She’s less active but very affectionate. She’ll sit on my lap even more often than Trixie does, but the two cats are not fond of each other. They just tolerate each other’s presence.
Arlene Thompson, Pleasanton
Digi
This is Digi, as in Digimon fame, doing one of his favorite things, sleeping. This 19-year-old man is really helping me to survive COVID-19.
Richard Kilker Jr., Dublin
Sammy
This is our best friend Sammy with one of his best friends, a stuffed beaver. He loves his new “calming bed” and drags it around to his favorite spots in the family room. He’s a rescue puggle we were so lucky to find at the pet adoption event at the Alameda fairgrounds in Pleasanton. Who would abandon a cutie like him? He loves his walks and has to be with his mom and dad every waking moment.
Sandra Lepley
Astro, Lucas-Oliver and Buddy
Astro is the needy one, Lucas-Oliver the destructive one and Buddy is my best and oldest boy and oldest. They follow me everywhere, up and down the hall as we stay trapped in our home.
Donna, Union City
Kirby
Here is my 7 year old rat terrier self-quarantining in his “taco” bed. He inspires me to get up and outside with him so that both of us can get some fresh air.
Susan Sprickman
Lilly
Lilly is our fourth rescue — we adopt older dogs. She’s a sweetie that doesn’t like walks, just snuggles, which is so appropriate right now.
Lynda and Ken Kilday, Martinez
Red and Homer
Red and Homer seem to comfort each other more than me or my husband. We keep the electric blanket on for them on cold day. Homer is 14 and has lymphoma.
Linda Brown
Pumpkin and Buddy
This is Pumpkin, our cat, and Buddy, our dog. Just looking at their sweet faces have a calming effect on us.
Patty Bethurem, Richmond
Spotacus
I got my dog, Spotacus, at Humane Society Silicon Valley a couple of months ago because I needed someone to sit in my lap and my cats aren’t lap cats. He’s 22 pounds but still tries to curl up small enough to stay in my lap without falling off.
It’s even more important to have that comfort now that I can’t hug my friends. As a vet, I’m still working, so I’m lucky that I’m still seeing other animals, too.
Dr. Nell Griscom, Los Gatos
Frida and Isabella
I live with my two dogs, Frida, age 2, and Isabella, 6 months. With family away or working in the healthcare field, my kids really don’t want me to go outside. Besides the daily FaceTime calls with my 6-year-old granddaughter, I have my furry girls to keep me company. Fortunately, they listen, don’t argue and love unconditionally.
Patty Pin, Concord
Humphrey and B-Mew
My pets are Humphrey the dog and B-Mew the cat. Most days you will find them on my lap keeping me company. Their love helps to keep me happy staying home with them.
Joann Kennett
Corey
Corey is just a couple of years old and treats every new day like it’s a party.
Debbie Hart
Charlie Marie and Lady
My two dogs, Charlie Marie, a cockapoo, and Lady, Patterdale terrier, are truly man’s best friend. Both are rescues. In these difficult times they give me a feeling of love. We depend on each other. Great warm feeling all over.
Viktor T. Pochron, South San Francisco
Miki
My dog is Miki. She is a sweet mix of miniature poodle and spaniel. We take walks together and enjoy just hanging out together.
Richard Karasik, Bay Area
