Ashley Claire Simpson

The Arlington Connection • 5th April 2023

'Not Your Cat': The Cat Who Almost Got Away

Shiloh Hogan has always been a gregarious cat – so gregarious in fact that he seems to feel at home just about anywhere. And last year, it was his sociable nature that almost cost him his adoring family and loving home.

Fauquier Times • 23rd March 2023

Baking up a dream: Kettle Run H.S. grad appears on national baking show

As professional chef April Franqueza approached her Kettle Run High School graduation in 2010, she wasn’t like her classmates who were preparing for their next four years at a college or university. She didn’t know what she wanted to do – or what colleges she was be interested in – so she took a year-long break to plot her next move.

Prince William Times • 17th March 2023

Canine connections: Warrenton dog behaviorist helps clients pick the right dogs for their lifestyles

Animal shelters and rescue groups face major overcrowding across the country, and Fauquier County organizations are no exception.

Prince William Times • 23rd February 2023

Perfect for senior players: Pickleball offers less stress on joints and more focus on strategy

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Prince William Times • 23rd February 2023

Seniors strike their fancy with out-of-this-world bowling in Warrenton

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The Arlington Connection • 15th February 2023

Many Benefits of Combining Animals with Yoga in Arlington

There are so many yoga poses inspired by – and named after – animals. Still, you won’t likely see dogs, cats or any furry or feathery creature doing yoga any time soon. However, you can come close to the experience by taking one of the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA)’s kitten or puppy yoga classes, which the organization has been hosting regularly since 2016.

The Arlington Connection • 25th January 2023

Gordon: Adoptable ‘Lovebug’ in Arlington

After spending the first two years of his life fighting to survive on the streets of Puerto Rico, Gordon now enjoys life’s simple pleasures. Once a struggling stray dog who suffered crisis after crisis, he now lives for bedtime – when he can catch some peaceful ‘z’s while nestled against his foster mom.

The Arlington Connection • 10th November 2022

Trap-Neuter-Return: Approaching Arlington’s community cats

Many cats are cuddly companions that remain exclusively indoors. Then, there are their outdoor counterparts that experts call “community cats.” These cats primarily live outside and are ownerless (though, many are provided with food and water by Good Samaritans who know they are out there).

The Arlington Connection • 20th September 2022

Beagles Find Freedom, Comfort

As we scrub with our favorite cleanser, apply make-up to our faces, and take our daily medications, many of us don’t think for even a second about how products like these make it to market.

The Arlington Connection • 17th August 2022

Policing Arlington with K9 Support (see page 3)

For at least tens of thousands of years, dogs — direct descendants of the gray wolf — have been working alongside humans in a variety of capacities: as guard animals, for herding livestock, as hunting support, and so on.

The Arlington Connection • 18th May 2022

Dogs Who Have been at Shelter 'Long Term' are Gems

If you were to ever spend any quality time with Kobe, there’s a good chance you’d never want to part ways. You may even insist on bringing him home … forever. Link to story online: http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2022/may/17/dogs-who-have-been-shelter-long-term-are-gems/

The Arlington Connection • 20th April 2022

Oh Deer: Just How Big a Problem Are Deer in Arlington?

Oh, those white-tailed deer: the wide-eyed, long-legged, forest creatures seem like pets to so many of us here in Virginia – even in Arlington. And, throughout the state, we really kind of have adopted them as our own. In fact, ‘Virginia deer’ is another common name for these plant-eating, non-territorial animals.

Alexandria Gazette Packet • 17th February 2022

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 • 9th February 2022

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 • 1st December 2021

Pets Can Provide Joy and Purpose for Seniors

There are few things worse than suffering through the constant pangs of loneliness — feeling like you don’t belong anywhere, and as though you lack purpose. [See page 3 (and continued on page 11)].

The Arlington Connection • 17th November 2021

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 • 10th November 2021

Thousands of Neonatal Kittens Graduate from Kitten College

These newborn kittens are just like human babies: they need their mothers to nurse them, care for them, and protect them until they are mature enough to fend for themselves. Neonatal kittens are at severe risk if they are orphaned.

The Arlington Connection • 3rd November 2021

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.

Arlington Connection • 26th October 2021

Instagram Influencer Saving Cats

Instagram – the ubiquitous social media platform – has given rise to Internet celebrities and influencers. Not every social media influencer is in it for self-promotion and profit, though. In fact, with more than 160,000 followers hailing from places all over the world, local resident Jen Boger leverages her Instagram account, @pokeypotpie, to improve life for cats on a global scale.

Arlington Connection • 29th September 2021

AWLA: Arlington’s prime source for all–things animals

Welcome to the diverse, bustling county of Arlington, Va., where there are as many opportunities to meet amazing animals (read: potential pets) as there are to form human connections.