Big Louie, Barnum, MN.

We adopted Smaug (@smaug_the_cat) from Animal Humane Society's Golden Valley location in 2018. When we first saw Smaug, she was sick with a cold. She kept to herself at Animal Humane Society, but still purred and gave us sweet slow blinks when we pet her. We left, but didn't make it back home before we turned around to adopt her.

I am so glad that we did, we wake up to licks and snuggles, and she waits until we're done eating dinner before joining us demanding pets. She is a tortoiseshell, and we quickly learned about infamous "tortietude" - she is chatty and incredibly energetic. We didn't even need to teach her how to fetch, she just began bringing us her toys to throw. She definitely keeps us busy.

I'm so glad we found her!

— Megan

Lake Monster Brewing, Saint Paul, MN.

Boy in swing reading a book with his cat, Ramsey (1900?) via Anoka County Historical Society

Marquette Avenue and 6th Street, Minneapolis (1953) via Minnesota Digital Library

I went to Animal Humane Society to play and volunteer and fell in love with a puppy named Vincent. I knew I couldn’t leave without him. After playing with him for an hour I knew I had to take him home. I didn’t mean to get a dog at all, but it was the best decision ever!

— Monica

Grumpy Old Men (1993)

walking along the Mississippi River

Minneapolis, Minnesota

My wife drove our oldest back up to UMD today and this is what they parked next to at the Duluth Target

I have always loved cats. However, due to family circumstances and various living situations, I was never able to own one until recently. So going into Animal Humane Society in October 2023, I knew I wanted to adopt a cat that would love me. I walked among the kennels and met difference cats, but none of them seemed to click with me. Until, right as I was about to give up hope of finding a partner that day, I spotted this tiny little black and orange kitten hiding in the corner all by herself. Something in my heart just melted. She reminded me of myself when I was child and spent most days alone at school and at home. A worker brought me into a private room and placed the kitten in my arms. Immediately, she relaxed and started purring and kneading my sweater. She stayed like that for 45 minutes. I didn't want to let her go. I was still uncertain if this was the right fit though. So I thought to myself, "If she clings to my shoulder when the worker takes her back to her kennel, I'll know she wants to be with me." And sure enough, as soon as the worker came to get the kitten, she ran up my arm and dug her claws into my shoulder, refusing to let me go. It was then that I knew for certain she was mine. I brought her home that day and named her Echo because she's constantly purring, and it literally echos throughout her entire body. She has quickly become the love of my life and adopting her was the best decision I have ever made.

— Katelyn

We saw Roco (now Ozai) on the website and adopted him the next day! He has been such a lovely, playful, and silly addition to our family. His big brother, who we also adopted from Animal Humane Society, is loving Ozai more and more each day.

— Isa

We adopted Dozer (Ice) on November 5, 2023, and are so in love with him! This is definitely his house and he knows it. He's the happiest boy and we cannot imagine our lives without him!

Thank you to everyone at the Coon Rapids Animal Humane Society for helping us find him.

— Austin and Mina

Nine times this weekend, 100 drones will fly above Lake Superior near the Duluth shoreline, displaying images including a Christmas tree, Santa Claus and the St. Louis County Depot.

Read all about it in the News Tribune.

Fondue for 2

I like the winter holidays. The comfort food, cringey holiday movies that I secretly love and forgiveness of excuses to stay indoors. No place for a "but it's so nice outside!" response when it's freezing out! I admire people that just nope out of a situation or event, without an excuse. But there's something about that, that is damn true: as adults, must we always have an excuse for everything? Why can't we just...not do something? And hell yes to eating candy for breakfast. You're an adult now.

For 2 servings:

🎶 Put it all together in a pot 🎶 and stir it all around until the cheese is melted 🎶 Thank you for reading my lazily written post.

Hennepin Avenue near the Walker Art Museum.

First look at Duluth-made Hallmark movie Rescuing Christmas