Every month, we poll the Baltimore magazine team about a topic pertaining to a story we cover in the issue and publish the responses on our masthead. In honor of our September cover story, “The Baltimore Pet Lover’s Guide,” we asked staff to tell us about a pet that had a significant impact on their lives. The answers were too good not to share with our web readers.

Take deputy editor Jane Marion, for example, who recalls fond memories of a childhood pet rooster named Max, pictured above.

“I am still grateful that I grew up in a household where (almost) no animals were off limits—rabbits were forbidden,” says Marion, who edited the cover story. “So, when we hatched a rooster in fifth grade at Northeast Elementary in Stamford, Connecticut, it was obvious who was going to take the bird home.

“I dubbed him Max and he followed me around the house. Having imprinted on me at birth, I was basically his bird mom and he was incredibly attached to me. When Max wasn’t perched on my head, he lived in a cage in my room for close to a year until his cock-a-doodle-doos woke up the whole family. He lived out the rest of his life at a nearby nature center.”

Below, read about other furry and feathered friends—from cats and dogs to ducklings and tarantulas (?)—who have been particularly meaningful. And be sure to check out the feature for more heartwarming stories, local pet resources, and even the official Charm City pet Wall of Fame.

Alicia Corman, Assistant Art Director
My late dad once surprised my two sisters and me with a crate of ducklings—one for each of us. We had an absolute blast playing with them in the bathtub and outside in the kiddie pool. I named mine Egon, after the smartest Ghostbuster, of course.

Amy Scattergood, Research Editor
Rose was the fifth of my six German shepherds, a long-haired beauty who I adopted the day before Los Angeles shut down for COVID, and who was my traveling companion when I relocated to Baltimore. We drove cross-country, staying at pandemic hotels, driving through a blizzard outside Cleveland, and sharing bad hotel food. She was older than anyone knew, and so I only had her for two years. I miss her every day, and Angus, her successor, sleeps in the same exact spot next to my bed.

Christianna McCausland, Creative Studio Content Director
My cat Pete was truly one of the greats. He still lives on in lore and legend with all who knew him.

Danny Glazer, Senior Account Executive
My dogs Hazel and Nola.

Jane Marion, Deputy Editor
I was going for Mother of the Year when I let my middle son, Alex, bring home Pepe the Park School tarantula in the summer of 2001. Even before buying him his meal of live crickets at Petco, I purchased a more secure lid for his cage. Spider-sitter is now part of my résumé.

Janelle Erlichman Diamond, Home Editor
Our first dog, Finley, adopted from the SPCA—a black Lab mix with velvet ears who wouldn’t stop barking in the kennel but we knew he was meant to be ours. He ended up being the perfect dog. He lived for almost 13 years and loved his family so much—but he loved me the most.

Jon Timian, Production Manager
I have had several dogs and cats during my time on this planet. All of them I have loved dearly. But if I must pick a favorite it would have to be my cat Sophie, because if I don’t, she will kill me in my sleep.

Marty LeGrand, Senior Contributing Writer
They call ginger cats “Velcro kitties.” Spencer was one. Always by my side—except when he fell out of a window and disappeared for four days. Incredibly sensitive to our feelings, he helped me through tough times. He had flaws, true, like sumo bathing his sister and swallowing gift ribbon (which once required surgery). I miss him still.

Max Weiss, Editor-in-Chief
I’m blessed to say that all my dogs have lived long, healthy lives except for one: my dearest Harriet, a sandy, scruffy, long-limbed girl who was the most gentle and soulful dog I’ve ever had. She had a touch of melancholy about her, as if she knew she wasn’t long for this world. I adopted her at 6 and she died at 8, of a bum heart. I still cry when I think about her.

Micah E. Wood, Contributing Photographer
My dog Ansel and my two cats, Lou and Boo.

Michael Teitelbaum, President
Patches was the dog I had growing up. We were inseparable. I had a lawnmowing business and she was my most reliable employee.

Michelle Coughlan, Senior Account Executive
Chloe, our golden retriever, who is our clingy COVID dog and gets ready for her weekly Zoom sales meeting like she is running the show.

Schaun Champion, Contributing Photographer
My first puppy was General Taz. I loved him so much; he was a beautiful purebred boxer. Clever and the most loving dog I’ve ever had. The second is my black cat, Pyewacket, named after the cat in the 1958 film Bell, Book, and Candle.

Staci Lanham, Special Editions Art Director
Benny was a stray found by a hydrologist in my husband’s office. His girlfriend said no, so instead Benny came to live with us right before we got married. He has been gone for nearly a decade, but I still think about him almost daily.

In honor of our “Kitchen Classics” cover story in our May issue (on newsstands now)—which revisits time-honored regional recipes and lets you know how to make them at home—we polled our staff to ask about classic Baltimore restaurants they wish they could revive. Here’s what they had to say:

Christopher Myers, Contributing Photographer

The Cultured Pearl which was in Sowebo. It was an eclectic, bohemian place to hang. Great Mexican food.

Christianna McCausland, Special Editions Editor

The Country Fare Inn in Owings Mills. To this day I wish I had the recipe for their September 7th cake.

Jane Marion, Food and Dining Editor

I miss Martick’s. On my last visit, my snakeskin handbag matched the wallpaper.

Jon Timian, Production Manager

Brian Badger’s gumbo stand that used to be in the Broadway Market. I miss that gumbo.

Justin Tsucalas, Contributing Photographer

The Dizz. Last place I ate before I got married. Also ate there about 50 times before that.

Lauren Cohen, Digital Senior Editor

Lobo! The cocktails, the toasty sandwiches, the onion dip with ripple chips, the staff! It was the perfect spot to unwind after a long day. RIP.

Lydia Woolever, Senior Editor

Martick’s. What I would give for a martini at that bar. Preferably with Jane Marion.

Marty LeGrand, Senior Contributing Editor

Maison Marconi. Its menu was as staid as its tuxedoed waiters, but that was its charm. My hazy memories: chopped salads, a shambling waiter, decadent chocolate sauce.

Max Weiss, Editor-in-Chief

I’m going to cheat and go with the entire artsy, bohemian Sowebo dining corridor: Cultured Pearl for grilled burritos, Tell-Tale Hearth for wood-fired pizza (ahead of its time), and the Gypsy’s Café, which had Baltimore’s most charming deck.

Megan McGaha, Digital Advertising Operations Specialist

Stewart’s Root Beer. The classic, vintage vibe is still so dreamy.

Michael Teitelbaum, President

Sid Mandell’s deli (Woodmoor) for special family meals when I was a kid. Famous for the Four by Four.

Michael Tranquillo, Senior Graphic Designer

I took for granted that Thairish would just always be around. It was a neighborhood staple for years. I’m not an expert in pad Thai, but nowhere else has come close since. The owner/chef had so much joy, and would greet you with a smile every time you walked in. Just a one-of-a-kind place.

Suzanne Loudermilk, Senior Contributing Editor

I’d like another chance to crack crabs coated with that wonderful black-pepper seasoning at Obrycki’s on Pratt Street. There’s a location at BWI now, but it doesn’t serve hard shells.

Vicki Dodson, Advertising Design Director

I’d choose Gampy’s or Louie’s, circa 1980s, or Donna’s (all in Mt. Vernon). But I’d enjoy them best in a time machine. That’s paramount.