The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge is built  atop the historic, three-arch Historic Bridge #7 on North Carolina Highway 9 in Lake Lure, North Carolina. A unique and whimsical city park, the Flowering Bridge contains 30 gardens on and beside a reimagined bridge. One of the most popular features at the bridge is the Rainbow Bridge. Many visitors to the bridge come for the sole purpose of attaching their departed pet’s collar or tag to the Rainbow Bridge handrails. Often there are tears, but mostly it’s a calming place where pet owners can remember their beloved furry friends. You’ll find it at the entrance to the River’s Edge Dog Garden. The Rainbow Bridge is the brain child and creation of local artist Amy Wald. Amy built the…

Most humans probably can’t. But many dogs in Rutherford County pass this test every day. All day and night, in fact. Granted, once someone has tied them up with a rope or chain, they have no choice in the matter. Let’s see how well we humans can do. It’s “easy.” Simply put a collar around your neck with a rope or chain tied to it, then take the other end of the rope or chain and tie it somewhere sturdy. So that you can’t get loose. Now, see how long you can stand it. For an extra fair test, make sure you keep yourself tied up in all sorts of weather, just like dogs do. Try this out in hundred degree temperatures with gnats and…

What is TNR? TNR stands for Trap-Neuter-Return.  (sometimes Trap-Neuter-Return-Vaccinate or Trap-Neuter-Release). TNR is a humane, non-lethal method of managing feral and free-roaming cat populations. TNR reduces the need for shelter euthanasia because it lowers the number of cats and kittens entering the shelter system. TNR of Rutherford County, NC is a local group of compassionate volunteers in Rutherford County who humanely capture unwanted cats in the community to be spayed/neutered and vaccinated. In conjunction with animal control and other established community programs, TNR of Rutherford County, NC volunteers return the spayed/neutered and vaccinated cats to their original outdoor locations, which helps stabilize feral cat populations and stop the breeding cycle. TNR of Rutherford County, NC is dedicated to working within communities by educating and empowering…

~ By Jo Anne Benware Fostering dogs has been a joy for my husband and me – and for our dog Kirby! We have three cats who refuse to play with Kirby, although they’re gracious enough to tolerate him. So Kirby gets his fun and socializing from the parade of dogs and puppies that come in and out of our lives. Many of these dogs are strays who were starving – let go by their families to fend for themselves. With no real reason to hope that humans would be kind to them again, but still forever hopeful that someone…perhaps a boy or girl who needs a best friend…will give them their forever home. As much as I would love to adopt each and every…

~ By Stephanie Janard It was official: I had fallen in love with the stray orange and white cat that barged into our yard one day and insisted on living with us. I set up a comfy space for “Skipper” on the back porch, where I let him in every night so he’d have a safe place to sleep. I even kept the porch light on for him. And in the daytime, I gave him plenty of attention and love wherever he was hanging out outside. But letting him inside was a different matter. In fact, I had decided he would need to be an outside cat.  I was simply terrified my two dogs would tear him to pieces. They sure gave every indication of…