Where Past and Present Collide

By Carol Boker

Editor in Chief of Pet Product News International and Pet Style News

It’s always very daunting going to a high school reunion that you haven’t been to in years—and wondering what you will have in common with these people after the reminiscing is over.

This was my dilemma last weekend as I traveled to Lancaster County, Pa. However, once my classmates heard about my occupation, those wonderful furry and feathered companions became a common theme. I always knew pets unite people, but here was the theory in action.

I knew I had one classmate become a veterinarian; however, he did not attend the event. Then there was one of my best friends who had to hurry home to her rescued diabetic cat, whom she feeds four times a day. Our class lawyer, who lives in Washington, D.C., told me all about his adorable bijon frise, who shares his and his wife’s life and bed.

My neighbor, of high school years, and I reminisced about our pets of long ago—my family had a beagle because my Dad was a small-game hunter. His family had a weimaraner, which was a rare breed in that area at that time.

The old neighbor still lives in the area, and he and I talked about some of the “puppy mill” problems in Lancaster County and he pointed out the large billboards strategically placed around the area.

One of the most fun encounters of the weekend was reaquainting myself with a classmate who actually lives near me now. He knew Pet Product News International because his daughter is a groomer and has a subscription. He just didn’t realize that I was the editor.

He showed me photos of her shop, which he had built, and explained how she has increased her clientele over the years, even loading up her grooming equipment in a van to visit elderly folks who cannot get out to have their pets bathed.

One other friend and I discussed writing and editing. She writes modern romance novels. It’s a whole different area of journalism, but we decided “love” was still a common theme in both our occupations.

So, don’t be shy; attend your next reunion. If you let them know you are in the pet industry, you will have more in common with those people than you think.

« All Editorial Blogs

 Give us your opinion on
Where Past and Present Collide

Industry Professional Site: Comments from non-industry professionals will be removed.