This month has been one for the memory books โ or should I say, the magazine pages! Our beloved pets have officially made their mark in the Liberty & Kearney Sports magazine as the โPets of the Monthโ in the Pet Corner section.
Itโs not every day that your four-legged (and in one case, very fluffy four-pawed) family members get to be local celebrities. But this month, Apollo Sky, Lulu, Max, and Ditto are officially โfamous,โ and I could not be prouder. These pets have been more than just animals to us โ they have been healers, comedians, comforters, and constant companions through some of the hardest seasons of our lives.
Before I share the full story that ran in the magazine, I want to give you the heart behind it. This isnโt just a feature about cute faces (although, trust me, theyโve got those in spades). This is a story about the healing power of pets, the unconditional love they bring into a home, and the way God sometimes uses the smallest of His creatures to mend the biggest of our hurts.
The Official Magazine Feature
Hereโs exactly what was printed in the August 2025 issue:
PETS OF THE MONTH:
MEET OUR LOCAL STARS!
Submitted by Ella ConwayEach month, we highlight one of the beloved pets from the Liberty and Kearney area. From playful pups to clever cats, our featured pets truly make our area feel like home. This month, weโre excited to introduce you to Apollo Sky, Lulu, Max, and Ditto, who have quickly become local favorites.
Apollo Sky โ Our under-1-year-old Ragdoll kitten, and Lilyโs heart-healer. He was a grief gift after we lost our dad, and his name couldnโt be more fitting โ Apollo is the Greek god of healing, light, and the sun, and Lily and Dad shared a love for science, space, and the sky. His middle name, Sky, ties it all together. Heโs been the most calming presence in her life, and truly lives up to the name.
Lulu โ Our 8-year-old brown Shorkie, gifted to me after my 5th-grade year. Lulu and my dad had the sweetest bond โ they loved spotting squirrels together and going tubing on the lake. Sheโs been my comfort through grief, always curling up next to me like she just knows. Dramatic and deeply loyal, sheโs the queen of the house and the Pup Cup drive-thru line.
Max โ Kaleโs sweet Shih Tzu, full of heart and healing. He came to us from a family looking to rehome him, and we were meant to be part of ours. Heโs a little chunky, super cuddly, and his head tilts could melt the coldest heart. Max has been a grounding force for Kale, especially through the hard seasons.
Ditto โ Our OG. Ditto is 13 years old and has been with us the longest. Sheโs grown up right alongside all of us and carries the most personality in the tiniest body. Full of spunk, sass, and smarts, sheโs fiercely protective and still struts around like she runs the place (which, letโs be honestโฆ she does).
Favorite place to go: Any place that gives out Pup Cups or involves riding in the car with the windows down. Lulu especially thinks Starbucks was invented for her.
What they mean to us: These four have been more than just pets โ theyโve been healers. In the darkest moments of grief and the toughest moments of daily living, weโve been comforted, grounded, and filled with pure joy. We are so grateful for their unconditional love.
And of course, a shoutout to Crazy Busy Mama (Lori Conway) whoโs been holding it all together while being climbed on by four fur animals daily!
Follow these sweet and silly crew at @crazybusyfurbaabies on Instagram!
The Story Behind the Story
When the editor reached out asking if Iโd like to submit something for the Pets of the Month feature, my answer was an immediate YES โ but not just because Iโm a proud fur mama. I knew this was a chance to tell a deeper story about how animals can truly be Godโs little messengers of comfort in our lives.
I remember the day each of these pets came into our home. None of them were โjust becauseโ pets. They each arrived in Godโs perfect timing, each with their own little mission in our family.
Apollo Sky: The Healer with Four Paws
Apollo is Lilyโs Ragdoll kitten, but heโs so much more than that. After my husband passed away unexpectedly, Lilyโs world was turned upside down. She had lost her dad โ her science buddy, her adventure partner, the one who would stargaze with her and talk about the mysteries of the universe.
We knew she needed something to help fill the void in her heart, not replace her dad, but give her something soft and alive to hold onto. Thatโs when Apollo came into the picture. His very name was intentional โ Apollo, meaning healing, light, and the sun โ paired with Sky, tying back to the things she and her dad loved most.
If youโve ever met a Ragdoll cat, you know theyโre known for being gentle, floppy, and loving. Apollo will curl up in Lilyโs arms and stay there for hours, purring like heโs singing her a personal lullaby. And I believe with all my heart that God made him for her in this season.
Lulu: The Drama Queen of the Drive-Thru
Lulu came to us years ago, long before we could have guessed how much weโd need her someday. She was Ellaโs 5th-grade graduation gift, and from the moment my husband met her, they were best friends. They had a whole โthingโ about watching squirrels together from the deck, and Lulu loved going tubing with him on the lake.
When he passed away, Lulu grieved right alongside us. She would sit on the porch, staring in the direction of the lake, almost as if she was waiting for him to come back. And when Ella cried, Lulu was right there, pressing into her side like she was saying, Iโve got you.
Sheโs dramatic, bossy, and utterly convinced Starbucks exists solely for her โ but that big personality is part of whatโs kept us laughing.
Max: The Gentle Comforter
Max was never โplanned.โ Kale adopted him from a family who couldnโt keep him anymore, and from day one, it was like theyโd been meant for each other. Max is the kind of dog who leans into you when you sit down, like heโs trying to anchor you to the present moment.
Kale has walked through his own share of grief and challenges, and Max has been a constant, non-judgmental presence for him. That head tilt of his? Itโs not just cute โ itโs like heโs saying, Iโm listening. Keep talking.
Ditto: The Original Queen Bee
And then thereโs Ditto, our OG. Sheโs been with us for 13 years, through every move, every school change, every high and low. Sheโs the tiniest of the bunch, but she carries herself like sheโs running a Fortune 500 company.
Sheโs smart, sassy, and still spry enough to boss the younger pets around. If she wants the good bed, she takes it. If someone dares bark at the door, sheโs already halfway there before the others even register the sound.
Sheโs taught the younger pets how to โdo lifeโ in this family, and I honestly think she takes her role as pack leader very seriously.
Why This Magazine Feature Means So Much
For us, this wasnโt just about seeing cute pictures in print (though Iโll admit, Iโve bought multiple copies already). It was about recognition of the bond between humans and their pets โ a bond thatโs been magnified in our family since the loss of my husband.
Grief is a long, winding road. Some days it feels lighter, and others it feels like youโre right back at the beginning. But these animalsโฆ theyโve been steady. They donโt ask questions, they donโt need explanations. They just show up, every day, with their warm bodies, silly antics, and unconditional love.
The Joy of Sharing Our Story
I hope that by sharing our pets in the magazine, someone out there whoโs hurting might be reminded that healing can come in unexpected forms. Maybe itโs a friend, a hobby, a church community โ or maybe, just maybe, itโs a pet who chooses you when you least expect it.
If youโre local to the Liberty or Kearney area, you can grab a copy of the August issue and see our full feature. And if you want more daily doses of our furry crew, weโve set up their own Instagram: @crazybusyfurbaabies
Final Thoughts
God has a way of placing exactly what (or who) we need right in front of us, exactly when we need it. In our case, He gave us four small, furry reminders that joy can still be found, laughter can still bubble up, and love can still grow even after loss.
So hereโs to Apollo Sky, Lulu, Max, and Ditto โ our healers, protectors, comedians, and cuddle buddies. And hereโs to every pet out there whoโs making someoneโs life a little brighter just by being in it.
Follow the Crazy Busy Fur Babies
If you want more glimpses into the daily antics of Apollo Sky, Lulu, Max, and Ditto, follow them on Instagram at @crazybusyfurbabies.
