Volume 1, Issue 1
Emily Andrews is a writer from Northern Ontario. Her books include her memoir, Second-Rate Goddess, and her collection of short stories, The Fates of Three. She currently lives on a farmette with her two dogs, two cats, two chickens and a tarantula. There is also a husband and son who stop by occasionally.
Tell us a little about your pets, and their origin story.
Loki is our black cat. I had always wanted a black cat because, where I was living (Calgary), they were the least adopted animal, and people are still not allowed to adopt them around October, which is horrifying. He was the nicest cat at the shelter; he was kind to my two-year-old and cuddled with my husband and me. When we brought him home twelve year ago, we discovered that we had been misled. He was aggressive, a loner and hated all other animals. We were told he was found on the street and had been there for a while.
He's now fifteen and much more cuddly, somewhat more tolerant and still cranky. I loved him then and now.
Guinness was our special dog. We used to run a reptile rescue, and someone contacted our partner to report a dog they’d found. He asked if we wanted the severely underweight Great Dane/Black Labrador mix. We’d been told he was in a cage for four years. We took him in and destroyed the cage.
Fur never grew on his joints, and he had a dent in his head. Otherwise, the vet pronounced him healthy. He used to run away from us to scavenge food from dumpsters until he realized he had
food waiting for him in his new house. He had every right to be mean, yet he was the sweetest giant lap dog who cowered at the sight of guns. He passed in 2020, and our family still thinks of him as part of the family.
When our dog Guinness passed, we didn't think we wanted another dog. We were still crying at his memory months later. We went to the SPCA to adopt another cat, but when the worker heard us talking about Guinness, she mentioned a dog that was supposed to arrive soon, who needed a leg amputation. As a sucker for hard-luck cases, a tripod dog was perfect for our little family.
She wasn't brought to the facility for almost a week. By then, her leg was very badly hurt, and she had signs of mange. The previous owners stated that she tripped and fell, and they couldn't afford a veterinarian. Marvel was ours from the start in our hearts, but we still had to go through the application process.
The first time we met her went great, but the day we picked her up was the best. She recognized us and started jumping up and down, and hopped up when we opened the car door. She made herself at home on the couch like she was waiting for us to join in. That was four and a half years ago, and she's still the fastest dog on three legs, as well as the neediest. A theme for our pets.
Daily Life with the Pack
What does your day-to-day look like with them?
Loki is not a fan of dogs. Sometimes he doesn't care, other times he will meow until someone carries him to where he wants to go, which is usually my bedroom or his food bowl. If I lie in bed for a nap, he needs to be petted for at least five minutes before he decides I can go to sleep.
Marvel is my husband's dog. If she wants comfort because she’s in trouble for garbage surfing, she comes to Mom. She likes the ear scratch, and I'll know it's a bad itch when her little nubbin shakes at a feeling she can't reach. It's adorable and sad at the same time. I'm also the messiest eater, so all our animals like to eyeball me while I eat.
Life Lessons from Fur Family
How have you changed since Loki, Marvel and Guinness joined your family?
I was always a cat person, but now I have dogs. No one is as happy to see me as my dogs. Cats are so independent and they make life easy but the dogs make it easy to love them.
What's one thing your pet has taught you?
Loki taught me that animals can lie. Guinness taught me that you can overcome your upbringing. Marvel taught me that a setback can launch you forward.
The Funny Moments
What's the weirdest or funniest thing they've ever done?
The first time Marvel ever flopped herself on her back, legs in the air and fell asleep in the middle of the floor. I still take pictures of those cute moments.
Any embarrassing pet-parent stories you're willing to share?
If Loki is in the bathroom and he's in a particular mood, he will jump on my back in such a way that I can't reach him. I have to try to finish what I am doing, then hobble out of the bathroom, hoping he'll get uncomfortable and jump off (which hasn't happened yet).
The Creative Connection
Do animals help you reconnect with anything deeper in yourself?
I may have scoffed at the idea of a "fur mom" before, but it is definitely a parental experience, regardless of the dog’s age. You are putting love and attention into a living thing that may never appreciate it, may never be able to show you the affection you associate with them. You still do it because, once they are adopted, they are family.
What would you do if you could collaborate with any animal, real or mythical?
I'd collaborate with Sasquatch and make a podcast for outsiders. Assuming he is an animal and not just an isolated human.
About Emily's Work
Emily is currently working on shopping her latest manuscript.
Want to learn more about Emily Andrews and her work? Check out her memoir Second-Rate Goddess and short story collection The Fates of Three.
Hi Emily! Liisa kovalo mentioned your writing in our last group when I mentioned I was working on something about the great experience I had fostering a dog. I look forward to reading more about your fur family!