It’s no secret that Benicia is a dog-friendly town. Walk a single block down First Street and you’re bound to spot at least three pups out for their morning stroll, with bowls of water and jars of treats placed outside nearly every other storefront. You’ll probably also see a new puppy in training, dutifully waiting at a crosswalk while their owner digs treats from the pouch clipped to their waist. But as any pet parent knows, training in a human-pet relationship goes both ways.
Whether it’s a dog, cat, turtle, or tarantula, our non-human family members have a lot to teach us. We asked our staff and readers to share some of the life lessons they’ve learned from their furry companions. Some stories are silly, some are deeply moving, and a few might even require a tissue.
Read on and consider what your pets have taught you.
Toree McGee, our virtual business manager, has a house full of lively animals and a heart full of gratitude for the ways they’ve shaped her and taught her to love loudly, play creatively, and be patient with weird friends.
“My three dogs have taught me more about life than any self-help book ever could.
Winnie believes affection should be heard as much as it’s felt—she ‘woo-woo’ howls the second we walk through the door and barrels in for full-body face hugs. Kanga reminds us that joy is self-made; when no one’s available to play, she tosses her toys in the air and plays catch with herself like the independent queen she is. And Roo? She’s the gentle giant of the crew. Our cat Nala is obsessed with her and insists on giving her daily (and unsolicited) ‘kitty massages.’ Roo doesn’t always love them—but as long as Nala’s claws are trimmed, she patiently endures every session with the resigned tolerance of a dog who knows love comes in many forms.
Together, they’ve taught me that love can be loud, fun doesn’t need an audience, and sometimes the best thing you can do is just sit still and let your weird friend love you.”
Our editor-in-chief, Cooper, shares her home with a high-energy four-year-old Vizsla and two cats with bold personalities. “My cats have taught me the importance of sticking to a schedule,” she says. “If I’m even one minute late with their breakfast, they start performing a full-on opera in the hallway.” But the lessons go deeper. “They’ve shown me how to be a better partner to my husband. We always joke that our cats are a married couple. They’re obsessed with each other and prioritize taking care of each other, anticipate each other’s needs, and take turns pampering one another. Most importantly, they’re always ready to offer a cuddle when the other needs a little extra attention.”
Her dog, Kaz, has taught her something completely different. “Kaz has taught me to wake up and greet each day like it’s going to be the best and most important one of my life. She charges into new situations with total confidence and never misses a chance to sprint full-speed toward her goals, especially when the goal is catching a squirrel or bunny ‘trespassing’ in her yard. She is unapologetically herself and helps others feel comfortable enough to let their silly sides out as well.”
Our social media and website specialist, Dalia Nino, shared with us how her dog, Gucci, has helped her slow down and enjoy the beauty around her.
“I sometimes struggle with time management, keeping up with work, family duty, housework work and fitting in a little walk in my schedule after a long day. I take Gucci for a walk in the evening and try to track my steps and distance. But Gucci loves flowers and wants to smell every flower she finds on her way. Yes, Spring is especially hard to walk the 3 miles I need to finish in 45 min. I get frustrated and take a deep breath when she stops me every few minutes. Then I instantly feel better. I remember that breathing and admiring the beautiful wild flowers we have on our beautiful green Benicia hills is all I need to finish a busy day in a relaxing way. Thank you Gucci.”
Reader and local dog groomer Amanda Cuccia wrote in about her dog, Bentley, who has “absolutely taught me more about unconditional love than a human could ever.” Many Benicians may recognize Bentley from past Torchlight parades or his many adventures around town.
Abandoned in Benicia as a rowdy 4-month-old puppy, Bentley found a forever home with Amanda just after she had her first child. Despite the chaos of early parenthood, Amanda calls adopting Bentley “the best decision of my life,” adding, “he has been the sweetest dog a family could wish to have! He wouldn’t hurt a fly, but he WILL steal your hot dog.”
Reader Justin Lockwood says his dog, Pilot, changed his life in ways he never expected. Pilot joined their family during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, not long after they’d moved into their home in the East Bay.
“As a father, I believed I understood what it meant to care deeply and selflessly for another, especially with my own son,” Justin writes. “But Pilot proved me wrong in the most wonderful way. This little dog somehow broke down walls in my heart I didn’t even know existed, profoundly changing me. He has absolutely made me a better father and a more present husband. We even joke that while others have a ‘fur baby,’ my love for Pilot is so immense that my human son has affectionately become our ‘hairless dependent.’ Pilot has genuinely transformed my life, and I’ll forever be grateful for his incredible presence.”
Reader Beth shared a story about her dog, Sophia Loren (“Sophie” for short) a 4-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix rescued from the Martinez Animal Center on the day she was scheduled to be euthanized.
“In the year and a half she’s been living with her mom downtown in Benicia, the entire human community (and most of the dog community, particularly Cinnamon, Atlas, and Cooper) have all offered her love and understanding while she regained her belief in good things happening,” Beth writes.
From winning last year’s canine costume contest to being a regular visitor at The Chill, Café at the Inn, Seaspray, Pups n Purrz, Sparkly Chateau, and CVS, Sophie has made herself a beloved fixture around town. She’s also a fan of Pedrotti Ace Hardware and Suds & Duds Laundromat. Her favorite activity, though, is swimming in the straits.
“She certainly wasn’t built for swimming,” Beth says. “She sank like a stone at first. But we got her a bright pink life jacket and a 30’ leash, and she practiced until she could swim on her own. Now she identifies as a Portuguese Water Dog.” Their next goal? Paddleboarding together, possibly even for the Halloween Witch’s Paddle.
Beth hopes this photo of Sophie “shows the pure joy of a dog whose life was deemed unnecessary to what a community like Benicia can do to instill goodwill and faith back in abused, neglected, or unwanted dogs.”
Lindsey Swift wrote in to share how her dog Daisy helped her rediscover love after loss.
“As many pet parents experience, losing a fur baby is heartbreaking. I lost my 14-year-old Yorkie in 2023 and wondered if I could ever love another puppy like I loved her,” Lindsey writes.
“Fast forward to the present. I am blessed with a very sweet and sassy 1½-year-old Yorkie, Daisy. She loves to walk downtown or at the marina and gets excited to meet other Benicia doggies doing the same. She gives lots of kisses but will bark at men who talk to her mom on our walks. She loves to play fetch and is very expressive with her paws. She loves to cuddle and does not understand personal space… I work from home, and she has a bed on my desk and knows when it’s time to ‘go to work.’ Daisy has taught me that while we may never forget our fur babies that have crossed the rainbow bridge, we can love again. A home without a pet is not a home to me.”
Whether through their quirks, loyalty, resilience, or the joy they bring into our lives, pets remind us every day of how much we still have to learn. About compassion, connection, and the magic of simply being present. In Benicia, we’re lucky to share a town full of people (and pups) who understand that love doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to show up.
