I really love writing for Tahoe Quarterly, and part of that is because of the people I get to meet. A few months ago, I wrote a story about the Incline Village’s Pet Network and, as the interview coincided with my district’s Fall Break, took three of my four kids along. It was a great trip, especially since my third daughter, Willa, has wanted to be a vet since she could talk, so it was very cool for her to be able to tour a shelter/hospital.
Even better, at the end of the tour, Pet Network’s executive director very generously offered to set up a shadow day with one of the vets so Willa could see what the life of a vet looks like.
It was, according to Willa, the best day of her life (tied, at least, with her past two bring-your-own-dog birthday parties). The director, Simi, paired her with Dr. Tremblay, who gave Willa her very own stethoscope, let her help with checkups, talked to her about schooling and showed her how various machines were used. Willa got a little queasy watching a cat get intubated, but she loved everything about the day, and is already hoping to go back again (once she’s ready for the tougher stuff, she says).
It was the stuff dreams are made of for my little dog-loving daughter, and reinforced why I love writing and interviews—which is an easier statement to make now that I’ve finished
my fifth (and final) article for the 2026 Home Awards. Anyway, a huge shoutout to Simi, Dr. Tremblay and the entire Pet Network team for being so amazing and accommodating and helping a little girl’s veterinary dreams come true!
We went for the Associated Collegiate Press National Conference. Got in Wednesday night, spent Thursday morning sightseeing and ducking into museums, then got to the conference headquarters at the Grand Hyatt in time to get registered and grab seats to see Donna Brazile, the DNC chairwoman. She was incredible—not only was she incredibly interesting, but she was so much fun. I wanted to go out for drinks with her. And she was just the kick-off to other great speakers: On Friday, we heard from Bob Woodward (Bob fricking Woodward of Watergate fame!), then Saturday we had Edward Snowden beamed live from his secret location to address us. He was wonderful. When he got a huge ovation, he remarked that journalists are about the last group that like him. He, too, was wonderful. Both he and Woodward both had a lot to say about the importance of journalism, as well as how the future rests in the hands of the audience. I found them both incredibly inspirational.
Besides the great conference, I got to see my brother and his girlfriend, plus enjoy three full nights that I didn’t have to worry about a child waking me up in the night! The students got a ton out of the conference, too, and got to get in some additional sightseeing after I ducked out on Saturday afternoon to catch an earlier flight back so I could be home for my daughter’s fourth birthday. Anyway, great event and great to be in D.C. just two weeks before the election!
Alison O. Bender 