Love Our Pets?

Today's Woman staff with their doggies: (l-r) account executive Suzy Hillebrand with Roxy; publisher Cathy Zion with Trixie; stylist Alissa Hicks with Roger; designer Kathy Bolger with Duffy. 

Take your dog for a walk in your warm winter coat and enjoy the brisk weather. If it is really cold, then just think about how you’d feel if you didn’t have this great animal. You would never be outside seeing the sun! If you enjoy one of the eight off-leash dog runs around the area, consider making a donation to the Louisville Dog Run Association, which makes those areas possible.

Two Cats and a Dog, and She Would Love More

By Alissa Hicks




Abbie Blum, a sixth grade language arts and drama teacher at East Oldham Middle School, is a self-proclaimed goofball with the bubbliest of personalities. A day in her life at home with her husband and three pets seems anything but dull. “I just love all animals and always have.

A Perfect Match

Were these dogs meant to be together?
By Alissa Hicks

Carol embraces her dogs Brandy (left) and Ginger who she says are skilled at hunting. 

Carol Brinkman has a soft spot for dogs. She decided to adopt a new puppy to be a playmate for her dog Tally. Through the Shamrock Foundation, she found Ginger, a chow mix, rescued as one of a litter of stray dogs found wandering in the downtown area. Ginger is now almost 13, but Tally has since passed.

It’s Called Urban Beekeeping

Kelli holds a honey frame from a honey super. Photos by Melissa Donald 

By Alissa Hicks
Three years ago, Kelli McAllister Bailey decided she wanted to embark on a new adventure. While she never booked a plane ticket or hopped in the car to drive across the country, she took on a new life right in her small, urban backyard. “I decided I wanted to be a beekeeper.”

Please Can I Have a Horse?

By Alissa Hicks

Courtney with her horse, Awesome. Photos by Melissa Donald 

When she was growing up, Courtney Spiegel asked her parents every year for a pony for her birthday. She’d been riding since age 5, mostly doing show jumping and working with a trainer. She finally got her wish for her very own pony on her 14th birthday, though her new pet was larger than she’d anticipated. She was now the proud owner of a Thoroughbred horse appropriately named Awesome.

For the Love of Llamas

By Alissa Hicks

 Debi Sue Aven's 4-H club has turned into an fun educational experience for kids and adults.  Potter, one of her llamas, participates in competitions. Photos by Melissa Donald 

For the past 17 years, Debi Sue Aven and her family have lived off a small winding road in Georgetown, Indiana, on a farm with the prettiest of green views. She and her husband, Mike, have three daughters and a son and seem to lead an ordinary life. What’s not so ordinary, though, is that they own, breed, and board llamas and alpacas. What’s even more fascinating is how she is allowing the animals to connect to others.

She is Offering End of Life Comfort for Your Pet

By Alissa Hicks

Dr. Bennett visits with Jackson, one of the dogs who receives care from her. "He is the sweetest boy and has the best mom. I see him every one to two weeks," she says. Photos by Melissa Donald

Dr. Courtney Bennett is used to taking care of pets — it’s what she’s done since she was a high school student working part time at a veterinary clinic. But what she’s doing now not only helps pets but their owners as well.

The Dogs Outnumber the People

By Alissa Hicks

Celia and Ryan Arnett with their three dogs, Lola Belle, Mika and Moose.
Photos by Light Life Love  

We all love our pets. They are our constant companions, household entertainment, and it’s no secret that we spoil them more often than we should. Celia Arnett, owner/ lead coordinator of Celia Ann Events and owner of three playful pups, can attest to this. We sat down and chatted with her about pet ownership and the joy these “furbabies” bring to her life.

Ask the Vet: Spaying/Neutering Can Help Your Pet's Behavior

By Alissa Hicks

Dr. Greer says spaying or neutering your pet provides long-term benefits for their health. 

We all want the best for our pets, but do we always know the facts behind our choices for them? We caught up with Dr. Theenda L. Greer of Breckenridge Animal Hospital.

The Traveling Vet of Louisville

By Alissa Hicks

Dr. Laurelee Rubsch makes it easier for families to get quality care for their pets. 

Since we can’t have a conversation with our pets, we have to rely on our senses to figure out what they might be feeling or thinking. Having a good relationship with your veterinarian can make determining your pet’s behavior or ailments much easier. We talked with traveling vet Dr. Laurelee Rubsch about the importance of having such a relationship. She also debunks some common myths.

Is Your Pet Overweight?

By Alissa Hicks

We had a conversation with Dr. Missy Jewell at All Pets Veterinary Center about something she is passionate about — overweight pets.

Getting Between Your Dog’s Teeth

By Alissa Hicks

How concerned should we be about our dog’s teeth? We checked in with Dr. David Hagan of Dr. John’s Pet Care Clinic.