Author Archives: Kristin von Kreisler

Choosing a Dog

Posted on December 20, 2013 by Kristin von Kreisler

Since the deaths of my two beloved dogs last January, I have been longing for another furry friend. But my husband, John, who is a sensitive soul, has resisted. “I can’t go through the loss again,” he said. I respected … Continue reading →

The Death of Pets

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Kristin von Kreisler

Today I could no longer put off changing the “about Kristin” page on this blog. What I changed — and my heart slides to my feet as I say it — is the paragraph about sharing my life with Phoebe, … Continue reading →

Posted in Pets | Tagged beagle, death of dogs, death of pets, German Shepherd Dog, grieving pets, loss of pets | 45 Comments

Cat Symphony

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Kristin von Kreisler

Since Father’s Day, it’s no surprise, I’ve been thinking about my father. He was a symphony conductor and composer; and before he died when I was 23, I enjoyed going to his concerts and waking in the mornings to his … Continue reading →

Posted in Pets | Tagged Catcerto, Disklavier, Klaipeda Chamber Orchestra, Mindaugas Piecaitis, Nora the Piano Cat | 16 Comments

Animal Friendship

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Kristin von Kreisler

Two weeks ago I went to Austin, Texas, for my high school reunion, and the blessing of friendship has been on my mind. My new friends often marvel at the number of my old ones, three of whom I’ve known … Continue reading →

Posted in Observations | Tagged Animal Friendship, Class Reunion, Elephant Friendship, Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, Friendship | 14 Comments

Learning from Animals

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Kristin von Kreisler

Last summer I told you about Logan, my German shepherd, who had major surgery for a ruptured tendon in his knee. For four months my kitchen was his convalescent hospital, and now he has a weekly swim to rebuild muscle … Continue reading →

Posted in Pets | Tagged animal courage, animals as teachers, German Shepherd Dog, lessons from animals | 18 Comments

Avenue of the Giants

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Kristin von Kreisler

In December I had the good fortune to travel along northern California’s Avenue of the Giants, a 31-mile scenic drive that runs through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The “giants” in the name refers to the coastal redwoods, Sequoia sempervirens, that towered … Continue reading →

Posted in Observations | Tagged Avenue of the Giants, Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Sequoia sempervirens | 12 Comments

Dormouse Snoring

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Kristin von Kreisler

Last year I wrote a blog about a victory for dormice in South Wales, where a bridge was built across a bypass so they could travel safely through their habitat. Yesterday I learned that this threatened … Continue reading →

Posted in Wildlife | 13 Comments

Flowers Opening

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Kristin von Kreisler

This morning I came across Kate Knapp’s poem, “Seeing in Three Pieces.” Her last stanza grabbed me: When a bulb burns out we just change it – it’s not the bulb we love, it’s the light. Knapp is reminding … Continue reading →

Posted in Garden | 8 Comments

A Murmuration of Starlings

Posted on November 12, 2011 by Kristin von Kreisler

I have two videos I can hardly wait for you to watch. Wildlife cameraman and travel journalist Dylan Winter made the first one as he was sailing around the U.K. in an 18-foot boat; and the video shows a murmuration … Continue reading →

Posted in Wildlife | 10 Comments