…or, how being a brand-new mom or dad makes you lose compassion for everyone but your baby.

Fresh off having my heart broken for the first time, I wanted something safe and easy. I should have known that would mean breaking someone else’s heart.

Recently divorced, extremely broke and terrified of yet another bill, I was shocked to learn of my own capacity to shirk responsibility.

My misguided attempt to give my ailing dachshund a noble death turned into a complete disaster—and a lesson in letting go.