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When Life Takes an Unexpected Turn: Lettie and Spain’s Story
After decades of dedicated service as a federal worker, Lettie had envisioned a different kind of retirement. But when a cancer diagnosis changed everything, she found herself making the difficult decision to take early retirement at the beginning of 2025, prioritizing her health and the precious time she has going forward. Through it all, one constant remained by her side: Spain, her beloved cat and faithful companion. As anyone who shares their life with a pet knows, our furry family members don’t pause their needs when life gets complicated. Spain still needed veterinary care, quality food, and all the essentials that keep a cherished pet healthy and happy. Facing mounting…
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20 Years
We can hardly believe that 20 years have passed since we first opened our doors. From our first location across the street to the Hyattsville store to where we are now has been quite a journey, and we’ve made so many friends along the way. We are so grateful to be a part of this vibrant, inclusive, compassionate community and we try to give back however we can. Over the years The Big Bad Woof has participated in hundreds of adoption events and hosted dozens of health and grooming clinics, donated untold amounts of pet food and supplies to local rescues and individuals in need, and guided our customers on…
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Chonk v. Obesity
I have five roommates. The married couple from whom I rent, and I’ve been close with for decades, and their three rescue cats: Shuri is our new bleppy baby, and the sister act of Moxie and Josie. Josie is a pistol. She is also a tripod. She needed her front right leg amputated as a kitten due to an injury while living on the streets of Baltimore, MD. She gives me lots of belly and is very vocal when she feels she is owed treats, which is often. Moxie is the epitome of a scaredy cat, and that’s probably why she still has all her limbs. She has these dainty…
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Help HRA Help Animals
The pandemic is blamed for almost as many things as broke Millennials or sensitive Gen Zers are. However, the quarantine phase of the pandemic yielded a lot of good, too. People suddenly had a lot of time and a lot of folks opted to welcome pets into their lives. According to The Washington Post “More than 23 million U.S. households — nearly one in five nationwide — have adopted a pet during the coronavirus pandemic.” As the pandemonium normalizes and society reconnects (and the global economy does whatever its doing) there is a dire consequence; many people are no longer able to afford caring for their fur family. A huge number of…
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The Hidden Beauty of Radio Silence
We recently adopted a new younger dog who is very athletic, and the upside is that a dedicated portion the day needs to be spent walking him in the neighborhood. Even better are the days when scheduling allows exploring the local parks available in the area. As a person who has had dogs for years I thought I know many of the cool places to walk and hike nearby, but I have found that I am now searching for new places to visit with him, and not only allow him plenty of time to absorb new sounds and smell, but to also allow me to have a bit of Radio…
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Saying Goodbye to YaYa
We knew it was coming. I thought it would be last year but she just kept chugging along in good health with stiff old bones, cloudy eyes and a great attitude. She still greeted everyone and was quick to give a kiss or be hugged without complaint. The highlight of our days were her greetings in the house, whether she got up or not to say hello. After all, she was between 15 and 16 years we think, a failed foster from the Washington Animal Rescue League. In mid-May she stopped being exuberant about her food, and would only take a few bites. Then on the fourth day she stumbled…
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Open Heart
Working at The Big Bad Woof has all the challenges of running a small business, but there are times when an interaction with a “customer” is magic. Yesterday was one of those days. I was in the Delivery Office where I live most days, and heard one of our staff saying they could not get a dog to come into the store through the back door. I stepped onto the loading dock and there was the most beautiful Great Pyrenees puppy, in that awkward stage of development where they are skittish of anything new. I watched as they offered treats, and there would be two steps forward – one step…
