A Day in the Life of Koa

When your dog gazes into your eyes and you feel that unmistakable warmth in your chest, something remarkable is happening at the molecular level. That emotional connection you share with your canine companion isn’t just sentiment—it’s biology. And it’s the same biological machinery that bonds human parents to their children.

Over the past two decades, scientists have uncovered a fascinating truth: dogs and humans have co-opted the mammalian attachment system, originally designed to bond mothers and infants, to create one of the most unique cross-species relationships in nature. The result is a bond so powerful that it shows up in our hormones, our brain activity, and even our genetic expression.

Turns out, your dog's holiday stress isn't behavioral—it's biological. Here's what's actually happening in their brain and body when December chaos hits, and how to help them feel safe again.

Halloween in New York City is always magical—but when you add dogs in costume, it becomes Howl-o-Ween! This year, Koa and I celebrated across two days of spooktacular fun, from the family-filled streets of the Upper West Side to the patio of the Virgin Hotel.

Koa’s Ruff Life: Christmas Time in New York City invites readers to join Koa—the real-life Rhodesian Ridgeback with a heart for kids—as he explores the magic of the holidays in New York City. From the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade to the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, Koa’s adventures shimmer with festive cheer, friendship, and holiday spirit.

There’s something about fall in New York that feels like pure magic. The air is crisp, the leaves are golden, and weekends are made for cozy sweaters and outdoor adventures. With my aunt and uncle visiting from out of town, I wanted to show them a slice of autumn beyond the city skyline—so we packed up the car and headed to Dr. Davies Farm in Congers, New York, for a day of apple picking, pumpkin patches, and cider sipping.