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Posted September 01, 2021in People & Pets

Preemie kitten caregiver

Tiny kittens survive under Elizabeth Lyons’ care. Raising a newborn baby consists of late-night feedings with little sleep. What about newborn animals? Sure, their mother takes care of them, but what if the mom abandons her helpless newborn? Who takes care of them then? That’s where Elizabeth Lyons comes in.

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Posted August 04, 2021in People & Pets

Frisbee fun

Shelby and Colton Cowgill and their four dogs compete in K9 Frisbee Toss & Fetch. As Shelby Cowgill and her dog, Abbie, stand out in the dew-filled practice field, Abbie gazes intently at the object in her owner’s hand. Suddenly, Shelby pops her wrist, throwing a Frisbee out in the

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Posted June 30, 2021in People & Pets

Binky bunnies

Foster rabbits are happy in new home. When Claire Olsem’s 14-year-old son wanted a rabbit, he outlined a responsibility chart as to how he would take care of the bunny. Once he brought home Dynamo, Claire and her husband, Dustin, both became instant bunny lovers, first fostering rabbits, then adopting

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Posted June 02, 2021in People & Pets

Puppy Patrol

Teri Nizzi Helt helps with mom-dog deliveries. For the past two years, more than 200 puppies have lived at Teri Nizzi Helt’s home. Not all at once, of course, but if it meant saving a dog’s life, she just might do it. Teri is the Puppy Patrol coordinator and foster

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Posted May 05, 2021in People & Pets

Culps, the dog lovers

Through the years, Eric and Lorrie Culp of Des Moines have cared for more than a dozen dogs, mostly rescue dogs. They love practically all dog breeds, and Eric even plays Santa Claus while having pictures taken with pets for their owners to enjoy at Christmas time. Eric’s real beard

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Posted March 31, 2021in People & Pets

Mutt extraordinaire

Kristen and Cory Schattschneider attempted to be dogless after their first dog passed away from cancer. But before long, they both craved a canine companion. After searching through animal rescue sites, Kristen came upon a beagle/basset hound mix on AHeinz57. After visiting the unique dog, they decided it needed a

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Posted March 03, 2021in People & Pets

Coffee cats

At coffee shops around Des Moines, meetings take place, deals are sealed with a handshake and friends meet for conversation. At Coffee Cats, things are purrfectly different. After ordering coffee, wander next door into the cat lounge, where you sip your java while a cat sits contentedly on your lap.

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Posted February 03, 2021in People & Pets

The Bedwells and their fainting goats

Pet owners enjoy a good laugh with their pets. Cats are notorious for arching their backs, turning sideways if their owner sneaks up on them. A dog’s eyebrows wiggle up and down. And what does a goat do when it’s surprised? It faints. At least that’s what happens to the

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Posted January 06, 2021in People & Pets

Hairless, quirky cat

Sai doesn’t look like a typical cat. There is no tiger stripe, tuxedo or calico cat look, nor does he have soft fur. Instead, his huge triangle-shaped ears sit atop his angular face, while his wrinkled skin resembles an aging man’s bald head. Sai is a sphynx cat, also known

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Posted December 02, 2020in People & Pets

Derecho adoption

When Jamie Angove lost her dog, Punkers, to bladder cancer in May, she’d been searching for another furry friend. A rescue dog was her only option, so when one appeared on the Animal Rescue League’s site, she knew he was the one. The Shiba breed, a popular dog in Japan,

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