Posted June 03, 2026in People & Pets
As Caty Elgin rides her horse, Smokescreen, during a jumping competition, she leans in, guiding the horse over a fence. As the horse clears it and other obstacles in record time, Elgin wins another riding competition. In addition to competing, Elgin teaches riding lessons and trains riders for competitions. She
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Posted May 06, 2026in People & Pets
A four-legged media sensation in Pleasant Hill went viral in 2024. A water buffalo named Phill — named after Pleasant Hill and known as P-Hill — escaped from his handler’s home. The nearly half-ton animal wandered into the city before police shot him. Homeowners captured video on doorbell cameras, and
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Posted April 01, 2026in People & Pets
Animals, like humans, can suffer blood loss from injuries, illnesses or surgeries. Humans can rely on a blood bank for a life-saving transfusion. But what about animals? They, too, have a blood bank. One furry client, Sig, has been a regular blood donor for the past three years. Sig’s owner,
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Posted March 04, 2026in People & Pets
When Kim Smith took her dogs on hiking trips in nature, she let them run off the leash. After several hikes, she noticed the activity changed their behavior. After a long hike, they seemed more content and better behaved. “It really opened up my eyes about bringing dogs into nature,”
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Posted February 04, 2026in People & Pets
Ashlee Crawford’s two passions are her four-legged friends. Her dog, Layla, is a 4-year-old black labrador. She rescued her from a breeder who got out of the breeding business. “When I saw her, she was the only female. I liked her personality,” she recalls. Crawford’s love of the labrador breed
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Posted December 31, 2025in People & Pets
Two friends, who are both dog lovers, took several steps beyond caring for their furry friends. They established a nonprofit foster rescue, host a dog “pawdcast” and installed microchip stations for lost dogs. Kara Berhow and Holly Kilstrom began fostering rescue dogs 13 years ago. The pair established a nonprofit,
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Posted December 03, 2025in People & Pets
Jennifer Schmit has been a dog-lover her whole life. Fortunately, it didn’t take much to convince her cat-loving boyfriend, Sam, to share in her love of dogs. Today, the now married couple has three dogs. “I had cats, but I liked the idea of a dog. Cody (Jennifer’s dog) was
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Posted November 05, 2025in People & Pets
Lorelle Jones, a dog owner “her whole life,” became president of the Des Moines Obedience Training Club two years ago. This year, the DMOTC celebrates 75 years in existence. Her journey in the DMOTC began with her first new puppy in 1997. The breeder suggested Jones take the dog
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Posted October 01, 2025in People & Pets
Sylvie, a miniature goldendoodle, looked longingly into my eyes as she jumped up to sit on my lap during our People and Pets interview. Since I couldn’t pet her and take notes, she settled in by my feet instead. Owner Megan Fjetland says Sylvie is charming and likable. “She loves
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Posted September 03, 2025in People & Pets
With more than 300 breeds of dogs, pet owners have many options to choose a just-right furry friend. Yet, dog temperaments vary, and, sometimes, a dog breed gets a bad reputation, often due to owner mishandling and other factors. The Doberman Pinscher Club in Des Moines was established to promote
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