Pet Connection Magazine illuminates the thriving Pacific Northwest animal-loving community, bringing you fresh, original stories about our local people, pets, community, and the connections we share with each other.
We’ve all needed a hero at some point during our lives. One of your co-publishers (Tracy) lost her hero in November, and it has taken her this long to write this note. You see, the column that she wrote about her journey with her dog was called “Balancing Jack,” and losing him made her lose her balance, too. He accompanied her everywhere. He was her inspiration to join Pet Connection Magazine, to write dog books, and to find balance in her life. We jokingly said that he was “three quarters Labrador” because he was missing an eye and a leg from a car accident shortly before she adopted him, but he was one hundred percent a hero. For six and three quarters years, he was brave and kind; his goofiness and joy inspired differently abled people, the sick, the elderly. He helped foster bottle baby kittens, rescued orphaned flying squirrels, befriended Oskar and Klaus, even accompanied me on my honeymoon six weeks before he passed away. We found each other when we were both recovering from injuries, and he helped me find my balance. He was a hero to me. For three quarters of a year, I have dreaded writing this, because I knew I’d cry. But then I remember the balance that he helped me find. And the heroism that is all around us, in human and animal form.
As the co-publishers of Pet Connection Magazine, we’ve had the great honor of meeting many heroes over the past several years. We’ve watched as people stepped up to lead and love, help with hope, and connect with our local community. We have watched as leaders have emerged – leaders whose vision for a better world have inspired paradigm shifts. We have watched as animals transformed the lives of their people – and even their planet.
We are thankful to have the opportunity to shine a light on those who are making an impact on our community and we think these stories will resonate with you, too.
So we bring you the first articles of our 2022 heroes issue, featuring heroes from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Each is doing their part to make a difference in the world. We’re humbled to be able to honor them. Please join Pet Connection Magazine as we celebrate them and thank them for all that they do.
Sarah and Tracy