poppyseed - The Every Animal Project

Poppyseed: The “Teacup” Toddler

September 3, 2016March 11, 2023 by Laura Lee Cascada, posted in Companions, Rescue

It was 7 p.m. on a Thursday night in late winter. Instead of catching the tail end of happy hour with friends after a long day of editing scientific manuscripts, I was hunched over the kitchen floor with a soiled rag in one hand while the other groped around inside a tiny mouth seeking the … Continue reading Poppyseed: The “Teacup” Toddler

Welcome to The Every Animal Project, where every animal⁠—from the brave little minnow to the mighty elephant⁠—has a story. Those journeys, filled with challenges, triumphs, and even a little mischief, can shed light on our own humanity, expand our empathy, and deepen our connections. This blog showcases true animal tales from around the globe, inspiring and empowering thousands of readers to seek healing both for themselves and the beings who surround us, ultimately transforming our world.

I’m Laura Lee Cascada, a Virginia writer, activist, and mermaid. I’ve spent my life around animals, collecting profound lessons and using those to build a more humane world around me through writing and campaigning. But as a teen, I hid away in my room for months, paralyzed by social anxiety. In college, I met my soul dog, Powder, who mirrored me by trembling in the bathtub during every storm. But then something comical would happen: she’d “woo!” out loud, marking the end of the perceived danger, and carry on.

My upcoming book, The Dog Who Wooed at the World, is the first anthology from The Every Animal Project, compiled in the aftermath of an orange-sized cancer that stole Powder away. It’s both a reflection on how one dog’s inexplicable bravery helped me go from a whisper to a warrior, and my grappling with a world left devoid of that therapeutic “woo!” Readers will fall in love with this trembling pit-beagle, as her legacy emboldens them to follow in her pawprints and surmount their greatest fears. And you’ll encounter other extraordinary animals from around the world who have embodied immense courage like Powder.

Get a sneak peak into the book today.

Tag: poppyseed

Poppyseed: The “Teacup” Toddler

Subscribe to the Every Animal Project