For the Love of Pets

For many of us, pets are an essential part of our lives. They greet us at the door when we come home, snuggle up with us on the couch, and provide unconditional love and companionship. Pets also offer many other bene ts, including improving physical and mental health. It is said that pets can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Let’s stop right there and add a little truth to that statement. The stress from life will diminish and be redirected to your pet. You will nd yourself constantly worrying about your furry friend’s well-being, from making sure they are fed and walked to taking them to the vet. Your worldly possessions will suffer. The carpets need cleaned, the couch will be chewed, shoes hidden, and jewelry buried in the yard. The list goes on and on, yet you will be happier than you can imagine.

I have had my share of pets from farm animals to guppies and each have a special place in my heart. I am sure my mother dreaded seeing me at the door some days as many times I came home from school packing a stray or injured animal. I have some great rescue stories and some that crashed and burned. Like the time Dad was selling the calves and I let them out to run to safety in the elds. That little rescue attempt hurt me a lot more in my tush than in my heart.

Fred, a little Beagle Brittany Spaniel mix, holds the biggest part of my heart. I found him at a kill shelter on his last day which proved to be the luckiest day of my life. We were inseparable for 15 years and he was the bravest dog I have ever met. We sped along on four wheelers, street bikes, jet skis, and snowmobiles with Fred yelping in excitement. He begged to be included on the dirt bike rides so I glued carpet to the tank so he could stand and not slip off. His passing crushed my very soul and still hurts to this day. But even a broken heart could not stop me from saving yet another rescue, my beloved Lady Isabella Grace aka “Izzy,” who came from a puppy mill bust. All animals give their love to you when you become their person, and some are not always soft and uffy. I still think of my parakeet from time to time and a bearded dragon that sat on my dresser for a few years watching over me. As you read through the editorial in this issue maybe you will nd a few reasons to look for a new companion.

Best In Pensacola 2023 continues, as your top 10 most nominated businesses from each category have moved forward to the nal stage of voting starting May 10. Remember to vote daily on the of cial Best In Pensacola voting ballot on our website VIPPensacola.com. If you need a refresher on the categories, they are listed here in the magazine.

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Year Five is in the books for the Bread and Table Club’s Croquet & Rosé on the Bay that took place on April 22. The theme this year was the fable of Alice in Wonderland with guests dressed in white and Wonderland attire. Thirty-two teams participated in four hours of battle, but only one team walked away as the Croquet & Rosé 2023 Champions. The Ballbusters, last year’s winners, didn’t perform as well on the croquet eld this year, but they made up for it off the eld. The attire and decorations were spot on, but raising money for the backpack program and knowing more children won’t go hungry because of the hard work and dedication of the Bread and Table Club is the real highlight of the weekend. Shelley and Steve Black, and all of the committee members made the Croquet and Rose event a success yet again. Due to the gracious sponsors, donors, and auctions, the event this year raised over double than the previous year. Not to mention, 100% of all of the proceeds bene t the Children’s Backpack program through Feeding the Gulf Coast.