Ashley Claire Simpson

Copywriter and corporate communications professional by day. Award-winning writer seeking more opportunities 24/7. Charleston, South Carolina transplant by way of Atlanta and the DC-metro area.

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Alexandria Gazette Packet •

Not the Love Story You Are Expecting (Page 10)

Five years ago, Andrew Davie had almost everything he ever wanted. He had a fulfilling career as a high school English teacher at Alexandria’s Commonwealth Academy; he was in seemingly excellent health; he had a supportive, loving family; and he was even in the process of publishing his first crime mystery novel. On the brink of 40 years old, he felt there was only one thing missing in his life: a romantic relationship – a partner in crime, if you will.
The Arlington Connection •

Protecting Your Pets from (Starting) Fires at Home

Do you ever wonder what exactly your pets are doing when you’re not at home? Even if you have a pet-monitoring camera rooted somewhere in your house, you mostly just have to hope that your animals don’t get into any mischief — or start any fires. Literally. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that pets start around 1,000 house fires every year. And, this number could actually be higher, because, as Captain Nathaniel Hiner of the Arlington County Fire Department pointed out, there
The Arlington Connection •

5 Safe Ways to Include Your Dog in Thanksgiving

A dog’s palate is absolutely baffling. Some dogs can’t resist eating dead worms or discarded tissues from the ground. But then, their mouths also water when they smell your gourmet steak and potatoes. So, on the food-oriented holiday of Thanksgiving — this year on Thursday, Nov. 25th — when we in America are typically busy all day preparing (or waiting for) big special meals and delicious spreads, it’s particularly important to pay attention to the scraps your dog may be sneaking.
The Arlington Connection •

Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Birds, Reptiles

The term exotic animals probably has a few wild animals roaming through your mind: maybe even lions, tigers and bears (oh my!). But, you actually don’t need to go on safari in order to interact with exotic animals, or even to bring one home. In the animal welfare and veterinary worlds, exotic animals are actually domestic animals – pets that aren’t dogs, cats or farm animals. Think: reptiles, rodents and birds.
Alexandria Gazette •

Art on the Avenue

What did you do with all the downtime you had on your hands during quarantine in 2020? Maybe you trained a new puppy. Maybe you learned to cook. Perhaps you even started a new exercise routine. Or, like many others, you might have just laid low and recharged in anticipation of “normal.” If you ask eleven-year-old Noura Barka what she did with all the time she had on her hands in 2020, she’d tell you she leveraged those hands in a big way – to create all kinds of crafts and artwork.
Alexandria Gazette •

Celebrating 75 years of AWLA and a Pet-friendly Alexandria

Alexandria’s approach toward pets and their care has changed drastically over the last 75 years. Today, people think of animals as members of the family – and not just elements of their households. And this important change in collective perspective is due in large part to the work of animal advocacy and rescue organizations like the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA). AWLA celebrated its 75th anniversary in June.
The Arlington Connection •

ArPets: Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation Awarded Grant to Make More Space for Animals in Need

In a world crawling with millions (and millions) of homeless animals, the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation (LDCRF) is on a vital mission: to spare as many possible dogs and cats from suffering and unnecessary euthanasia. Since 2001, this Arlington-based nonprofit organization has placed more than 40,000 dogs and cats in loving homes; last year alone, Lost Dog rescued 2,747 pets through foster and adoption.
Alexandria Gazette •

Needy Puppy Leads to a New Life

Fifteen years ago, Stella Hanly worked as a software consultant for a global corporation. She was relatively new to the United States from her native Northern Ireland, where she grew up surrounded by animals. However, at that point in her life, Hanly just couldn’t see how the travel demands of her corporate job would allow her to properly care for a pet. Everything changed when a friend – a veterinarian – made what was ultimately a life-changing request: would Hanly temporarily take in an abandoned puppy?
Alexandria Gazette Packet •

Virtual Library Meets Need for Escape for Alexandrians

Every week, hundreds of Alexandrians have counted on being able to walk through the doors of James M. Duncan Branch Library, a place that has proven to be much more than the thousands of books it makes available to patrons. Before the onset of COVID-19, young children (and their caretakers) looked forward to trips to Duncan Library for story time programs, and every day, students relied on its technology to tackle assignments.
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