Opening Volley

Letter from the Editor

Jack McLaughlin, Editor-In-Chief

Walking on the Wild Side

To this day, I’m amazed by the fact that I still have all my fingers and toes.

And for good reason: I was raised on the outdoors. While I grew up in Chicago—during the summers, at least—my family would spend the vast majority of our free time in northern Michigan. We’re talking internet-is-still-an-issue-up-there north, on the sparsely-populated northwestern tip of the Lower Peninsula.

What the area lacked in population, though, it made up for in wildlife.

Every day up there, going back to elementary school, I would ask my parents to drop me off at a nearby patch of woods that was dotted with neglected, algae-ridden ponds. They would drive off, and I would spend hours, entire days sometimes, stalking northern leopard frogs. I had the patience of a big cat (although this didn’t carry over into my adult life), standing motionless for minutes–a beat-up net outstretched in my right hand–before scooping one up.

I also had a bad habit of grabbing adolescent snapping turtles when I could find them, although I learned pretty quickly why this was a bad idea. I would also need to conceal the snakebites that often covered my hands, to make sure my parents didn’t get too concerned. I was allowed to catch (and release, like I did with all animals) the local garter snakes, but none of the larger, less-identifiable species, although sometimes I broke the rules.

Once, I remember hiking through the sprawling hardwood forest that made up our backyard. It was August, and getting dark, when I came nearly faceto-face with a great horned owl that must have been close to my height at the time. More than anything, I remember her eyes, which felt like they could see straight through me. I felt vulnerable and exhilarated and terrified all at the same time.

Walking back home in the last of the light that evening felt like an almost spiritual experience, like some primal corner of my brain was on fire.

As a species, our fascination with wildlife, in the natural world, goes deeper than language or love: It’s part of our biology. Maybe I feel it a bit more than others, but when animals are involved–even if it’s insects–there’s a curiosity that rises up in me that I can’t control or explain. Since I’m not a zoologist or an expert in evolution, I’ll refrain from speculating, but even though we live most of our lives out in tidy houses on grid-planned streets, there’s a part of us that’s still wild.

Our July issue embraces this, whether that’s through chronicling pet skunks in the city, taking a closer look at big cats just outside of Johnstown, or by finding a falconry school without having to leave Columbus proper.

We hope you enjoy Going Wild

Inside the Parenthesis

Staff Picks

Since we’re diving into animals and pet of all shapes and sizes in this issue, we asked our staff to share their own favorite pets, whether that means animals they currently have, or ones they grew up alongside. Here’s what they said.

My fish Carl. The original and 2.0.

— Anna Gerhard, Account Executive

Growing up in the 90s, we had a Dalmatian who would howl along to the Backstreet Boys.

— Jack McLaughlin, Editor-In-Chief

Growing up my family had a black-capped caique named Emmy. She was a master at mimicking the doorbell sound and would ding-dong ditch us all. The. Time.”

— Atlas Biro, Creative Designer

Malcolm reigns supreme for me. My lil brindle corn chip feet bundle of joy.

— Lizzy Saunders, Brand Manager, (614) Beer

Hands down our current dog, Heinrich the giant schnauzer, is the best pet ever! Never have known a dog that likes to snuggle so much—all 90 lbs of him.

— Mindy Wilhite, Account Executive

My two dogs - Sammy the mini hippo & Aycie the 110lb bernedoodle are the BEST pets. Two completely different personalities—the little one constantly guards me & will growl if anyone gets too close. The big one is the exact opposite— afraid of everything including his own shadow. BUT at the beginning and end of every day all they want to do is see who can get the closest to me.

— Meggin Weimerskirch, Advertising Director

My current cat Flynn. He’s the friendliest cat I’ve ever met, will literally watch TV and TikToks with me, and even knows his name.

— Julia Attanasio, Social Media Manager

On The Web

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