By: Jeanette Armstrong

In "Sharing One Skin," Jeanette Armstrong emphasizes how the Okanagan people feel deeply connected to their land, language, and one another. She explains that their identity comes from their ancestors and a shared sense of responsibility to care for the Earth. The Okanagan see themselves as part of nature, showing both physical, intellectual, and spiritual beliefs within their daily lives. This way of thinking is distinct in that it focuses more on community and collaboration rather than individual effort. 

Citation: Armstrong, Jeanette. "Sharing One Skin." The Okanagan Community." The case against the global Economy: And for a Turn Toward the local, edited by Jerry Mander and Edward Goldsmith, Sierra Club Books, 1996, pp 460-470

By: B. Toastie

In "How place names impact the way we see landscape," B. Toastie elaborates on how place names shape how we see and connect to the land. Our indigenous names often help tell stories about the land's features and history, helping people feel a sense of belonging and respect for Mother Earth. But many places are named after colonizers or government leaders, which can take away from the original story and make it harder for people to connect with the true history of the land. Using and remembering indigenous place names helps keep these stories and connections alive.

Citation: B. Toastie. "How place names impact the way we see landscape." High Country News, 1 May 2022, https://www.hcn.org/issues/54.5/people-places-how-place-names-impact-the-way-we-see-landscape.

By: Joe Suina

In "And then I went to school," a short story, Joe Suina elaborates on how starting school was confusing and sometimes a painful experience because of things like the language, rules, and even the way the classroom looked. It was so different from his pueblo home. He missed the comfort of his village, where he began to feel embarrassed about his family's traditions and the way he looked, wishing he could be more like the white man's kids. When he went home for breaks, things felt strange, and he then realized how much he had changed. He lost himself in his own identity because of the white man's educational system. He loved being with his family, but knew when going back to school, he had to balance both worlds by also having to let go of one. 

Citation: Suina, Joe. "And then I went to school: Memories of a pueblo childhood" New Mexico Journal of Reading, vol. 5, no. 2, 1985

By: James Ola-Adisa

In “How Ancient Humans Cared for Their Pets,” by James Ola-Adisa where he emphasizes how people have had pets since ancient times and actually cared for them a lot. There are given examples like dogs walking with humans, people buried with their pets, and even early pet collars. Animals were more than just for work or entertainment, but have been treated like they're a part of their families. Different cultures, like Egypt and Rome, all had their own ways of showing love and respect for their pets. 

Citation: Ola-Adisa James. “How Ancient Humans Cared for their Pets.” ManyPets, 30 June 2022 https://manypets.com/us/blog/ancient-pet-care/. 

By: Christina Melvin

In “History and Science of the Human-Animal Bond” by Christina Melvin where the article explains how humans and animals have formed bonds over time, evolving from practical uses of food and work to companionship. It defines the “human-animal bond” as a relationship that affects the health and emotional well-being of both humans and animals. It also traces how domestication, attachment, and scientific research have shaped how we view pets now. It also talks about benefits like reduced stress, emotional support, and challenges like safety, health risks connected to close human-animal bonds.  

Citation: Today’s Veterinary Nurse. “History and Science of the Human-Animal Bond.” Today’s Veterinary Nurse, 23 Mar. 2022

By: Kailey Spina Horan Ph. D., LMHC

In "The Pain of Pet Loss: Why We Should Take It More Seriously," by Kailey Spina Horan explains that losing a pet can cause profound emotional pain because pets often serve as family members and sources of comfort, companionship, and stress relief. Despite this, society often minimizes or dismisses grief over pet loss, leaving people feeling unsupported and alone. This is an example of disenfranchised grief, where a real loss is not socially acknowledged. The article emphasizes that intense grief over a pet can affect both mental and physical health, and that recognizing and validating this grief is good for healing. 

Citation: Lmhc, K. S. H. P. (2020, September 27). 16 ways to cope through the loss of a furry friend. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-reality-of-gen-z/202009/the-pain-of-pet-loss-why-we-should-take-it-more-seriously

By: Noah Brown 

In "Mass General study finds that the loss of a pet can potentially trigger mental health issues in children," by Noah Brown, the Massachusetts General Hospital study found that when children lose a beloved family pet, they can experience deep and long-lasting grief that may be linked to mental health symptoms such as distress or signs of depression. Researchers studied data from over 6,000 children and discovered that children who experienced the death of a pet showed higher levels of psychological symptoms later in childhood, regardless of their socioeconomic background or other hardships they faced. The study also noted that the emotional bond children form with pets can resemble close human relationships, which may explain why pet loss can have such a strong impact. Experts say that parents and doctors should take children's grief seriously and look for signs that the emotional response is more intense or prolonged. 

Citation: Mass General study finds that the loss of a pet can potentially trigger mental health issues in children. (n.d.). Massachusetts General Hospital. https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/mass-general-study-finds-that-the-loss-of-a-pet-can-potentially-trigger-mental-health-issues-in-children

By: Associated Press

In "Pets Join Mexico's Day of the Dead Celebrations," the Associated Press explains how pets are included in Mexico’s Day of the Dead traditions. During the celebration, families create altars called ofrendas to honor loved ones who have passed away, and pets are sometimes remembered as well. These altars may include photos, candles, flowers, toys, and even the pet’s favorite food. The tradition focuses on remembering and celebrating the lives of those who have passed rather than only mourning their loss. Including pets in these celebrations shows how important animals are to families and how cultural traditions help people cope with grief.

Citation: “Pets Join Mexico’s Day of the Dead Celebrations.” Taipei Times, Associated Press, 3 Nov. 2014.

By: Yoko Tanimoto / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer

In "As Pets Become More Like Family, More Owners Hold Elaborate Funerals," by Yoko Tanimoto / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer, he discusses how many pet owners in Japan hold elaborate funerals and memorial services for their pets. As pets are increasingly seen as members of the family, owners want to honor them in meaningful ways after they pass away. Some ceremonies include Buddhist priests who read sutras and perform prayers while the pet’s ashes are placed at memorial altars. Owners may keep the ashes in urns or memorial spaces to remember their pets. These rituals allow families to say goodbye while also helping them process grief and find emotional comfort.

Citation: Tanimoto, Yoko, and Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer. "As Pets Become More Like Family, More Owners Are Opting for Elaborate Funerals." Japan News, Yomiuri, 31 Mar. 2025, https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/original/perspectives/20250331-246298/

By: Lianna Tedesco

In the article "From Prison Time to Firework Bans, How Europe Is Protecting Pets," by Lianna Tedesco, she explains how several European countries have created stronger laws to protect animals and prevent pet abandonment. In France, abandoning a pet is considered a criminal offense and can lead to prison time and large fines. If the abandonment results in the death of the animal, the punishment can be even more severe. The Netherlands has also introduced policies such as banning certain fireworks to help protect animals from stress and harm. These laws show that governments are beginning to recognize how important pets are and are working to improve their protection.

Citation: Tedesco, Lianna. “From Prison Time to Fireworks: Europe Cracks Down on Pet Abandonment and Protects Animals.” AZ Animals, 18 Dec. 2025. https://a-z-animals.com/articles/from-prison-time-to-firework-bans-how-europe-is-protecting-pets/