STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — For most children, pets are more than just household animals; they are family members and close companions.
Sadly, the happiness that comes with having a pet is matched by the sadness that comes with losing one due to old age, disease, or an accident.
And that can be really hard. After all, children are frequently greeted by their family pets first thing in the morning and after school. When your child is sick, depressed, or upset, they could turn to their pet for solace and company.
We recently spoke with Sophia Di Meglio, author and illustrator of “A Big Life for Buddy.”
In her book, she takes readers on the journey of her larger-than-life dog, Buddy, whom she felt was a “little human” and her best friend.
Buddy lived a full and joyful 15 years with Di Meglio. She struggled with the loss of Buddy and felt anger and frustration to keep him close to her.
She began drawing childhood photos to help with the grief, which evolved into her first book.
“If I’m struggling to accept this loss, I’m sure there is a child out there who is going through the same thing, not understanding why they have so little time with their friend,” said Di Meglio.
A Big Life for Buddy is a picture book that takes children on a journey through the cycle of life. When a wise owl delivers Buddy to his new family, the puppy knows nothing about humans, yet he grows up to live and act like one. Readers will immerse themselves in Buddy’s daily life as he does everything from reading books to hosting tea parties with his animal friends. Buddy finds purpose in being part of a family and forming a bond with the young girl he grows up alongside. From the whimsical perspective of an extraordinary dog, readers will learn what it means to belong, grow old, and understand that loss is a part of life. (Courtesy/SophiaDi Meglio/Amazon)SophiaDi Meglio/Amazon
After Buddy passed, she said she didn’t want another dog.
“I was very against getting another dog after Buddy died; I always told myself, it was just Buddy, I’ll never go through this again, but I realized the only thing that helped me get through my grief was having another puppy to raise,” she said.
Months had passed since Buddy’s death, and her grief was not easing. It wasn’t until her family expressed to her that she is a person who always needs a dog that she accepted Sammy, also an English Bullterrier. She said her new friend has brought her joy and reminds her of her first love, Buddy.
My children enjoyed A Big Life for Buddy after we recently lost our dog, Zoey. If you or someone you know has lost a pet and has a child, I highly recommend this story.
Meet Jovia
Meet Jovia, a 2-month-old, 15-pound (as of 11/18), adorable Pit Bull mix. She is great with other dogs and friendly!
If you would like to adopt this Rockstar, please email rescue@pupstarzrescue.org or visit www.pupstarzrescue.orgfor an application!
www.pupstarzrescue.org
Please Follow us on Instagram: @pupstarzrescue
Like us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/PupStarzRescue
**Puppies are hard work. If you are not ready for a ‘new baby’ please adopt an adult or senior who need you! PupStarz rescue cannot guarantee the breed, size, temperament, or age of any dog**
**Please note that puppies can grow .5-2.5lbs a week based on their breed**
(Courtesy/Pupstarz)PupStarzAdoption events
If you want to adopt, please remember that there are loving senior and disabled pets who need your care and attention, too. If you cannot adopt, please consider fostering or sharing the information with someone who could use some good company.
Nov 30
Staten Island Animal Hope Rescue will be at Petco, located at 165 Bricktown Way, from 3 to 5:30 p.m.
Animal Care Centers of New York City is open for adoptions of dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and rabbits at 3139 Veterans Road West on Monday and Tuesday, from noon to 4 p.m., and Wednesday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For general information on adopting from ACC and other community-based programs through ACC, go to www.nycacc.org.
You can also visit ACC to register and purchase a NYC dog license from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Black Friday Deal – MAU Pets
Mau is a luxury cat furniture company that focuses on creating pieces you can enjoy as much as your cat. Their products offer the perfect balance between design and cat functionality. All Mau products feature replaceable wear and tear parts so they can last for years to come and are backed by a one-year warranty. They’re also big on giving back, as they donate 5% of proceeds toward animal welfare and environmental conservation, and plant a tree for every product purchased.
The sweet Rocco recently gave Mau the paw of approval. His fur mom gives this feedback on how Rocco took to this eye-pleasing product.
“Rocco loves his new Mau Cento cat tree! As soon as we started taking everything out of the box, he knew this was his … He jumped right into the basket and watched as we assembled it. It immediately became his favorite chill spot in the house. This is really sturdy and well-made with the best materials and has a luxury feel. Only the best for my Rocco!”
The discounts are automatically applied at checkout — no code needed:
$20 OFF orders $200+$50 OFF orders $300+$100 OFF orders $500+
1/6
Mau Pets – The Cento
Hiking trailsDog-friendly parks
· Allison Park, off-leash area, the field at the end of the trail bordered by Prospect Avenue, Sailors Snug Harbor Cemetery, and the pond
· Amundsen Trail, off-leash area, between Amboy Road and Hylan Boulevard
· Arthur Von Briesen Park, off-leash area, lawn area, mid-park on the right side
· Bloomingdale Park, dog run, Maguire Avenue behind athletic fields, closer to Ramona Avenue
· Clove Lakes Park, off-leash area, the open field above the picnic area near Royal Oak Road and Rice Avenue
· Clove Lakes Park, off-leash area, Brookside Avenue between Alpine Court and Kingsley Avenue (lawn area)
· Clove’s Tail Park, off-leash area, lawn area, corner of Victory Boulevard and Little Clove Road
· Conference House Park, dog run, Clermont Avenue, and Massachusetts Street
· Cozzens Woods Park, off-leash area, Page Avenue between Hylan Boulevard and Amboy Road
· Crescent Beach Park, off-leash area, Tennyson Drive, and Glover Avenue. Located in the meadow area leading to the beach
· Evergreen Park, off-leash area, Greaves Avenue and Evergreen Street
· Father Macris Park, off-leash area, lawn beyond ball field
· Ida Court Playground, dog run, Ida Court between N. Railroad Street and Drumgoole Road East
· Lemon Creek Park, off-leash area, the bottom of Seguine Avenue at Johnston Terrace, just below the playground
· Siedenburg Park, off-leash area, Greaves Avenue, and Evergreen Street
· Silver Lake Park, dog run, Victory Boulevard below the pavilion, across from the Parkview Apartments
· South Beach Park, off-leash area. Note: Dogs are permitted on the sand only after Labor Day and before Memorial Day.
· Willowbrook Park, off-leash area, Archery Range Field
· Wolfe’s Pond Park, dog run, to the left of Cornelia Avenue
For more information on rules and regulations, visit nycgovparks.org/facilities/dogareas.
Dogs cannot enter any bathing facilities, including those at New York City beaches. However, from Oct. 1 through May 1, leashed dogs are allowed on the sand and boardwalk at Midland Beach and South Beach.
Leashed dogs are allowed on the boardwalk/promenade at Midland Beach and South Beach.
For more information on rules and regulations, visit nycgovparks.org/facilities/dogareas.
Meet Pluto…
Meet Pluto, a 7-year-old, 33-pound, wonderful Doodle mix. He is friendly and gets along well with other dogs!
If you would like to adopt this dog, please email rescue@pupstarzrescue.org or visit www.pupstarzrescue.org for an application!
www.pupstarzrescue.org
Please Follow us on Instagram: @pupstarzrescue
Like us on FaceBook! www.facebook.com/PupStarzRescue
PupStarz Rescue cannot guarantee the breed, size, temperament, or age of any dog. (Courtesy/Pupstarz)PupStarzPet Poison Helpline
If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, contact the Pet Poison hotline at 855-764-7661 or petpoisonhelpline.com, or contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 or aspca.org.
As the seasons change, keep in mind the plants that are poisonous to animals: https://www.rover.com/blog/poisonous-plants/
To report animal cruelty
To report an incident of animal abuse, call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.
Environmental conservation
To contact an environmental conservation police officer or report suspected violations, contact the DEC Law Enforcement Dispatch Center at 844-DEC-ECOS (844-332-3267) or dec.ny.gov/.