In June, as we headed into the dog days of summer, we featured our readers’ pets — 19 dogs and nine cats — in our weekday newsletter.
From sunning themselves on a porch to heading out on bicycle rides to comforting someone in memory care, here are nine of those stories from the Daily Doggo/Daily Meow, the signoff to our newsletter that has become a fan favorite.
To sign up for the Morning Report, our free newsletter that delivers local headlines to your inbox, visit twincities.com/newsletters and follow the prompts.
Note: The Morning Report pet corner typically only uses readers’ first names, so we continue that style here.
Pet sitting
A reader named Lori submitted a photo of herself catsitting “Ti” (short for Titanium), which was published in the Morning Report, the Pioneer Press’ newsletter, on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
In the summer, someone has to watch the pets when we go on vacation. This was the case for a cat called Titanium.
“This is ‘Ti’ (short for Titanium), my son’s cat,” Lori writes. “I am checking in on him while my son is away. He’s such a good kitty. He is sometimes vocal, but still a good boy.”
Taking along the pets
A reader named Steve submitted a photo of his neighbors, Dan and Dax, ready for a road trip, which was published in the Pioneer Press’ newsletter, the Morning Report, on Friday, June 6, 2025. (Courtesy of Steve)
Of course, sometimes the pets get to join in on our fun. For Dax, this means bicycle rides.
“Saw your post this morning on my daily email I get from PP,” Steve writes. “Here’s my neighbor, Dan of St. Louis Park, and Dax. Hundreds of miles a month he rides — both mountain bike and road bike.”
Another tagalong
Dax’s bicycle adventures prompted a reader to send us her own pet’s travel story.
A reader named Chelsea submitted a photo of her dog, Phil, tagging along on a walk with his family, which was published in the Morning Report, the Pioneer Press’ newsletter, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Courtesy of Chelsea)
“I saw the cute picture of Dax, the backpack biking dog that you shared on Friday so I thought I’d share about our dog Phil!” Chelsea writes.
“Phil is a senior Shih Tzu (13 years old) and has become a little slower with age — so when we want to go on a longer walk together with Phil … in the backpack on dad’s back he goes! He seems to enjoy it. I also included a picture of Phil after his most recent haircut — he got a very classy necktie.
“And if you’re wondering, yes, Phil is a one-eyed guy. He misses the curb every once in awhile, but otherwise he does just fine. He came to us with one eye — he was found as an injured stray, but now he’s just a happy old man living out his golden years and sniffing all around Hamline-Midway!”
Rescued
The Morning Report will sometimes let people know about dogs and cats available for adoption from local rescues. In particular, we highlight the work of Jeanne Weigum, founder and executive director of Pooches United with People (PUP), a St. Paul-based rescue.
Sometimes, Weigum will send us photos and stories behind the rescue’s happy endings.
Jeanne Weigum of Pooches United with People (PUP), a St. Paul-based nonprofit, sent in this photo of Suzie with her new family to the Pioneer Press, which published it in the Morning Report, our newsletter, on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Courtesy of Jeanne Weigum / Pooches United with People)
“Suzie gets a home,” Weigum wrote in a recent email to the Morning Report. “The pic was so cute I had to send it. This dog, her mom and sister were abandoned and Mom ended up with Second Chance and this one ended up with me. They had the worst case of ticks I have ever seen! Anyway, cute pic, cute dog, happy man.”
Learn more about the rescue’s work and check out the latest adoptable dogs at pupmn.org.
Other people’s pets
The pets we love aren’t always our own. These pets get highlighted in our newsletter, too.
“I’m a huge fan of your daily pet stories,” Rebecca wrote. “They’re a bright spot in my day. I’d be honored if you’d consider my submission: Drake, Elsie and Puppies.
Drake and Elsie’s puppies were featured in the Morning Report, the Pioneer Press newsletter, on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Courtesy of Rebecca)
“After my mom was transferred to a memory care unit at her nursing home, I wanted to do something special for her. Around that time, I had just started dating a wonderful man who had two Labrador Retrievers — Drake and Elsie. Drake had been adopted to bring comfort to his late wife during her four-year battle with pancreatic cancer. After her passing, Elsie joined the family to help his children cope with their loss. These dogs are more than pets — they’re gentle healers.
Elsie (left) and Drake (right) with one of their puppies, Loki (center), were featured in the Morning Report, a Pioneer Press newsletter, on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Courtesy of Rebecca)
“In November, we brought Drake to visit my mother. By then, she had lost the use of her hands, so Drake simply sat beside her wheelchair, quietly offering his calm, loving presence. She watched him with such peace and joy — it was a beautiful moment I’ll never forget. My mother has since passed, but I’m so thankful she was able to experience the gentle companionship of a dog, even if just for one afternoon.”
Murphy, grandcat
Murphy, grandcat, was featured in the Morning Report, a Pioneer Press newsletter, on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Courtesy of Margaret)
Readers often send us photos and stories of their grandcats and granddogs. This includes Murphy.
“This is our grandcat, Murphy,” wrote Margaret of Madelia, Minn. “He is 17 years old and very friendly. When I come to visit, he wants my full attention and will meow like he is talking to me. If we FaceTime with his humans, he is right there when he hears my voice trying to talk to me. He is a sweetheart.”
Memorial Mondays
Rosco was remembered in the Morning Report, a Pioneer Press newsletter, on Monday, June 2, 2025. (Courtesy of Francy)
On Mondays, we remember pets who have passed away. This includes Rosco.
“Rosco was my son’s family dog, who sooo loved walks!!” Francy writes. “Each Friday, the kids and Rosco and I would spend some time walking and talking and enjoying the great outdoors. It gave us all time to get to know each other. We were all saddened when Rosco passed on last fall — no more reason to take a walk and talk and spend some quality time with each other.”
We hope you keep walking together, Francy and family, carrying Rosco in your hearts.
New friends
Phoebe was featured in the Morning Report, the Pioneer Press newsletter, on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (Courtesy of Mary Jane)
We often learn about new additions to the families in emails from our Morning Report subscribers. Meet Phoebe, everyone.
“This is Phoebe, my daughter’s cat, adopted in January!” Mary Jane writes. “She is very entertaining and has taken over the home that she shares with her brother, Jake, an 80-pound German Shepherd who was also rescued six years ago. She is definitely obsessed with water and very curious about all facets of where it comes from. She is a joy and keeps everyone on their toes!”
Summer sun
Steve was featured in the Morning Report, a Pioneer Press newsletter, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Courtesy of Linda)
Just like us, our pets savor the nice weather that summer in Minnesota finally brings us. Take Steve, for example, a kitten who was adopted in the winter.
“Summer is finally here and Steve has settled on the back porch,” Linda writes. “He has put on five pounds since I brought him home in February and turned into a healthy, happy kitty.”
Related Articles
A runaway pet zebra has been captured in Tennessee
Emaciated stowaway cat found in Minnesota after epic journey from China
Welcome to kitten season, when animal shelters need all the help they can get
Readers’ pets featured in our Morning Report newsletter in May
Here’s how a local nonprofit is connecting people with horses (for free)
Leave a Reply