You’re probably familiar with Moby-Dick, the classic novel about a giant albino sperm whale and a captain so obsessed with revenge that things spiral into total disaster. (Oops, spoilers—though technically, Ishmael makes it out, so… kind of a happy ending?) Published in 1851, Moby-Dick is a deep, symbolic, and famously long novel that also happens to include an overwhelming amount of detail about the whaling industry—because back then, commercial whaling […]

Lately, it feels like every time I pull into a Target, Walmart, or grocery store parking lot, I’m met with an army of birds. Sometimes it’s just a few pigeons pecking at crumbs, other times it’s seagulls swarming like they’ve mistaken the asphalt for a beach. And occasionally, it’s geese—because nothing says “welcome to the store” like a gang of honking, aggressive feathered bouncers. At first, I chalked it up

Few things are cuter than a sleeping dog. The little snores, the dream boofs, the way their legs twitch like they’re mid-race in some imaginary chase—it’s downright adorable. Much like toddlers, sleeping dogs give you a rare moment to simply admire the furry little creature that has stolen your heart. But not all naps are the same. A doodle named Toast takes sleeping to a whole new level—he doesn’t just

Cats have a reputation for being aloof and independent, like they’re above it all and can’t be bothered. Those of us who live with them know that’s only partly true—they can be affectionate and sweet, but always on their own terms. They decide when it’s time for cuddles, play, and food, and we, their lowly human servants, are just along for the ride. There’s a reason obedience schools exist for

If you see a dog left outside in freezing temperatures, your first instinct might be concern—after all, keeping pets safe in winter is a priority for animal lovers everywhere. But sometimes, well-meaning worry leads to some awkward situations for responsible dog owners. Case in point: Huskies. When “Neglect” Is Just a Husky Living Its Best Life Husky owners know the drill. Every winter, they brace themselves for concerned neighbors, anonymous

In March 2023, a keeper at the World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis County, Missouri, noticed something unusual. A 31-year-old male bald eagle named Murphy was fiercely guarding a small nest he had built—except instead of an egg, he was incubating a rock. Murphy took his parenting duties seriously, sitting on the rock, nudging it, and protecting it from the other eagles in the aviary. Visitors often asked why he