I should begin by saying—I’m 44, and I had never had a pet in my life until now.
Then my ex left me. My apartment became painfully quiet. My therapist said, “You should take care of something living.” I thought she meant a simple houseplant.
But instead, my coworker sent me a rescue post: Two 04 months old whippet siblings—Benny and Bella—needed an emergency foster.
There was a health issue at the shelter, and the healthy puppies had to leave fast.
“Just two weeks,” she said.
“You just have to keep them alive.”
I picked them up thinking: I’ll keep them in the bathroom. I’ll feed them twice a day. I will not get attached.
Day one:
Bella escaped the bathroom, found my bedroom, and fell asleep with her face inside my sneaker. Long legs, big ears—still thinks she’s tiny. 🥲
Day three:
Benny figured out how to push doors open. That’s when I learned how smart whippets really are. I woke up to both of them sleeping on my chest, their warm little bodies making it hard to breathe.
Day five:
I bought them a $50 orthopedic dog bed. They completely ignored it and decided the safest place in the world was my chest.
Here’s something nobody tells you about whippet puppies—they are super social and love people. They’re independent and full of energy… but with their person, they calm down right away.
If I stop petting Benny for even one second, he presses his whole body against me and makes a tiny sound.
Bella brings me her “treasures”—
socks, the remote, even my wallet once— and drops them at my feet like she’s saying, “I found this for my human.”
At the two-week mark, the rescue coordinator called. “Good news! We found an adopter for Bella. Benny might take longer—he’s a little quieter.”
I looked at Benny, sleeping with his paw around his sister. I looked at Bella, breathing in sync with my chest.
“No,” I said. I didn’t even pause.
“No… to the adoption?”
“They’re not getting separated. I’ll take them both.”
There was a long silence. “Sir, are you sure? You said you’ve never had a pet before.”
I looked around my apartment. Paw prints on the couch. Two whippet puppies fast asleep on my chest. And a $50 dog bed no one uses. “I’m sure,” I said.
“Send me the paperwork.”
Later, my therapist asked how the “houseplant” was doing.
I sent her a photo of two whippets asleep on my chest.
She replied: “…that’s not a plant.”
No. It’s not. It’s better.
Foster Fail Anniversary: 4 months
Benny still won’t sleep without me.
Credit: viral video 11
I don't know why this hasn't received more publicity, but this fifty-foot sculpture was unveiled recently in South Dakota.
It's called 'Dignity' and was done by artist Dale Lamphere to honor the women of the Sioux Nation.
I know what it means to serve this country and I know what it means to come home and still fight for the care you earned. As a veteran, I’ve lived it. That’s why it matters that we have veterans in Congress who actually understand the VA. Our veterans are not talking points. Our veterans deserve timely care, mental health support, and a fully funded VA that works for them, not against them. When you send me to Congress, I’ll fight to make sure every veteran gets the care they were promised and the respect they’ve earned. No excuses. No delays. Leadership Matters!
Paulette Jordan just won the Democratic primary for governor in Idaho. Meaning, she's now positioned to become the first female governor of Idaho--and the first Native American governor in the US.
Thank you, Marcus Flowers @Marcus4Georgia and the Hold the Line PAC @HTLPAC, for your continued support. I appreciate all you do for my campaign and for the people of Georgia.
Out canvassing today in Marietta with Nora Gaudet, candidate for Marietta City Council with an election on TUESDAY!! We need fresh ideas and new leaders everywhere. Nora is the new blood we need. Get out there early on Tuesday, December 2nd and VOTE Marietta!! Let's go win!
kiovonni & Malia Of Granite City, IL who recently signed up for our 50-yard challenge received their starter pack in the mail which included their Raising Men and Women shirts, safety glasses, and ear protection. They are now fully equipped and ready to take on the challenge ! Do you have any words of advice for this dream team ? And, who knows, perhaps your child will be the next to sign up and join in on the excitement!
Family, please help me in welcoming Cory & Chase of Dallas, TX. to the family ! They’ve embraced the 50 Yard Challenge, pledging to mow 50 free lawns for the elderly, disabled, single parents, and veterans in their community. Could your kids be the next to take on the challenge ?
I officially received the “Book of the Year” award stickers in the mail today! From now on, every copy of One Lawn at a Time will come with this special sticker. This book, inspired by my real-life story and reimagined through the eyes of a child, was originally submitted in the Charity category—and to my surprise, it ended up winning the overall Book of the Year. I’m incredibly proud of this honor and of my very first children’s book, released just last year.
Learn more : https://t.co/0syDezW9FD
Challenge Accepted !Please help me welcome Arjun of Arlington, VA. He has stepped up to take on our 50 Yard Challenge, committing to mowing 50 free yard for the elderly, disabled , single parents and veterans in his city . We’re so excited to have you in the family, Arjun —welcome aboard! Will your kids sign up next ?
Challenge Accepted !Please help me welcome Oriyan of Salisbury, NC. He has stepped up to take on our 50 Yard Challenge, committing to mowing 50 free yard for the elderly, disabled , single parents and veterans in his city . We’re so excited to have you in the family, Oriyan —welcome aboard! Will your kids sign up next ?
I signed the final bills Melissa Hortman shepherded through the most narrowly divided legislature in the county. All of them bipartisan.
We debated, we found common ground, and we compromised.
That’s how democracy should function.