Boomer and Barkley

Best friends, Boomer and Barkley. Big Boomer is our protector, little Barkley makes all the rules. They are quite a pair and we absolutely consider them part of our family. Most decisions in our home are made with “the boys” in mind. We travel with them, sleep with them and get a lot of laughs from having these special friends in our home. People who don’t have dogs have no idea how much they’re missing. Any trouble they may be, doesn’t come close to outweighing the amount of joy their companionship brings.

GET A DOG.

Submitted by Shelbi Pollaro

Bella

This is our new baby Bella. She is the runt and fits in one hand. She is a Minpin and Cocker mix. One of six puppies born in November, to my Nephew’s dogs. They were so wonderful with the care he and his girlfriend gave them all. Each one was named Bella after Lady and the Tramp, weighed each day along with belly rubs, and played with all the time. We got to visit her from the time she was born, till my birthday in January when they surprised me with her. Five of the six are in the family so they get to see each other and their parents. Three of our puppies are in training classes together each week, so we “parents” have dinner together and let them have play time after their classes. If they only knew how lucky they are!

Submitted by Pam Wolf
Horsham, PA

Maddie

Maddie (Madison Kukla) was born almost a year ago and she is the runt of a litter of nine. Both her mother and father were let go, while mine was at the vet’s after six months getting fixed and they have never returned. Maddie is the light of my life. Single and a puppy with a grown cat and a 17 year old yellow Labrador(Autumn) have been living together for almost a year and they all love each other. I keep Maddie, the cat and her older sister in the house but I have five pity puppies who were dropped off and the owners have been “coming back" to pick them up, for the past four years. So I have a stray cat who loves to go from my house to my next door neighbors house and pretend he had no food, but he is the fattest cat in the city!

We would love to win and if we do, I will be sure and throw a party for Maddie, Autumn and Sparky!!

Submitted by Janas Kukla
Kathleen, GA

Bella

Bella is the newest member of our family. She’s 3 months old and we love her energy and funny antics. We often see her running off with one of the kids’ stuffed animals, tripping over her own paws as she plays fetch, or trying to make friends with our cat unsuccessfully (yet again). Seven-year-old Christian loves Bella’s “puppy nibbles” and two-year-old Phoebe loves Bella because “she’s soft.”

Submitted by The Nichols family

Dexter

Dexter is a Golden Retriever/Chesapeake Bay Retriever mix who will be 7 years old this year.

We found him online on Petfinder.com in the Urgent Section of the website. He was only days away from being euthanized at a high-kill shelter located in Illinois. We were able to put him 'on hold' while we figured out a long-distance transport....and with only days away from being gassed, he was brought to us in Delaware.

He is a fantastic watch dog to his family and home, but only in bark and not bite. He is a gentle soul who is pushed around by our ornery cat; great with children and doesn't ask for much in return. He loves to run in his backyard, go for walks, sleep on the couch, eat biscuits and ride in the car.

Dexter is a wonderful addition to our family!

Submitted by:
The Fella Family

Barney

Barney is a Mini Schnauzer who will be two years old in April.

This is a picture of him in our back yard with 25" of snow. He blends in well. I dug out his backyard paths before I dug out the car. He has us trained very well.

We got him from a breeder in Virginia and he is the brother of my Daughter's dog Cooper. So needless to say like two ornery brothers, they have a blast whenever they get together.

Barney is a great watch dog and very friendly even to those he's watching out for...which is everybody and anyone. He loves to play, relax, eat and sleep just like his owners. So we have a lot in common. Now, if he can only just find a good paying job so I can get him off the couch. He's such a dog, and we love every minute of it.
 
Submitted by:
Pat & Buddy

Sophie

My little girl's name is Sophie, or as her grandfather calls her, Sophie Saphire.  (Her grandparents spoil her!) She loves car rides to visit her grandparents in Delaware.

She is the sweetest dog and a delight to be around.  She loves to relax on my lap or play fight and wrestle.  She is fabulous with all the children in the neighborhood, which I think is important.  I live in Queens - Astoria, New York.  It's good to teach some of the neighborhood kids how to correctly approach a dog and pet gently - and Sophie is great with kids.
 
She was abandoned by a neigbhor, so she has lived with me for a year and a half.  I was not looking to adopt a dog because my work schedule is hectic, but she was too precious to not have a proper, loving home.  Luckily, my neigbhor James fell in love with Sophie, too!  So every evening he takes her out for walks and takes care of her when I'm away on business trips.  She loves her Uncle James!
 
Submitted by:
Erin from New York

Casey

Casey is a 9 year old yellow lab that resides on her owner's couch in West Chester, PA. She loves to sleep and eat, just like her owner! Casey loves dogs, people, and anything that moves. If you come to our house, she will always greet you with a wag, that has knocked down small adults, and always bring you a gift, i.e. kids toy, shoe, or whatever fits in her mouth.

Submitted by Mike

Sneakers

Even though Sneakers is no longer with us, he was a great dog. At the end of a long day, I always looked forward to cuddling up with Sneakers. He loved going for rides in the car, playing fetch in the yard, and our annual trip to see Santa. He was a great watchdog and he would wait for the kids at the bus stop every day. Sneakers was a loyal and loving dog and will be missed by our whole family.

Submitted by
The Fisher Family

Morgan, Belle and Sparkle

These are my girls.. Standard Poodles... from left to right Morgan (age 11), Belle (age 7) and Sparkle (age 2 1/2). All dressed up for Thanksgiving. They enjoy playing and jumping in the leaves. They are a big help when I'm trying to cleanup the leaves. Morgan & Belle do therapy visits at nursing homes and grandmom's assisted living residence. They easily connect with the residents and bring a smile to their faces. Belle is an AKC champion. Morgan has many titles from doing agility competitions... jumping over bars & through tires. Sparkle is in a AKC show trim... showing on the weekends in PA, NJ, MD & DE to achieve her AKC championship. She loves being the center of attention.. Poodles are the glamour dogs in the dog world.

Submitted by Diane

Vinnie

Donateloe Vinnidito, meaning "blessed gift", was born in my living room at 11:10pm on March 23, 2004. Vinnie, as he is more affectionately known, has truly been a blessed gift to our family. He has been my confidante, comic relief, and all around cheer giver through the living hell our lives became in recent years. He helped us all find smiles and humor again after the death of his mom from cancer, the loss of my former husband from mental illness, and a total lifestyle change. He helped us celebrate my daughter's graduation and wedding, my son's graduation, and welcomed 2 grand babies last year! He is the world's best baby-sitter! He welcomes guests at the door with boxer wiggles and toys. Vinnie leaps like a gazelle, spins like a top, and sinks like a rock! He's a biker dog in his flaming fleece coat, but don't let that scare you, he's a marshmallow at heart. We hope he will keep being our blessed gift for many years to come!

Submitted by Susan

Diesel

Diesel was rescued as a puppy from the SPCA. Though he is a Jack Russell Terrier, he is not your typical JRT. He is very compassionate, enjoys to be around people, and loves to play outside. He has always remained loyal since he has joined our family. When he plays outside, you can be sure he'll always have a tennis ball with him. It doesn't matter who is around all he asks if you would give the ball a toss. Diesel has been known to let his tennis ball roll down the driveway to a neighbor while he walks or to a kid on their bike. His all time favorite is playing soccer. He can dribble the ball, with his nose, while going full speed. I believe that if he had the chance, he could beat 'Air Bud' in a one-on-one game of soccer. He is very protective of his house. On one occasion, we believe his bark was enough to chase away a group of neighborhood vandals, since our home was not touched. He loves going for a car ride. It doesn't matter if it is a trip to Wal-Mart, a night camping upstate, or a quick trip to the Jersey Shore. He'll find someone to snuggle with and relax until we arrive at our destination. At nighttime, Diesel has his own room. His bed is next to a vent so he can curl up to warmth of the heat or the cool breeze from the air conditioner.

Submitted by Steve in PA

Houdini

Houdini is descended from a long line of circus poodles. When not entertaining family and friends by performing pirouettes and balancing on his back legs, Houdini likes to sit at the top of the slight incline in his front yard and survey his kingdom. He runs down to the fence to perform his tricks for neighbors and friendly passersby, but is always ready with a determined bark to show suspicious people--and the mail carriers--that he is on guard duty. Houdini also enjoys walks, hanging out at the local coffee house and practicing his acting skills. He is a master at inducing guilt by throwing himself onto the bed and putting on his seriously depressed face as I get ready to go to work. But Houdini never holds grudges and always greets me at the door with much dancing and many kisses.

Submitted by Laurie
Alexandria, VA

Kona La Rue

Kona is a 2 year old Schnoodle. She is a proud graduate of Wagler College with a masters in Wagalogy and a minor in Waganomics. She enjoys going for long walks, the bark park, chewing on bones, and riding in the car while catching a breeze with her head out the window. Her adventures have taken her to NYC, FL, and OR. She is enjoying her part time work with the guests at Dogtopia. Kona looks forward to summer as it brings BBQ's and hiking.

Submitted by Aimee & Mark
Wilmington, DE

Calli

Even though Calli just turned 13, she's still a puppy at heart. She loves to run in the yard, go for 'strolls', play with the cats, and take nice long naps. She even gets house calls on a bi-weekly basis to indulge in a full body massage, keeping her muscles lean and strong. Calli doesn't bark much, but she is very vocal when it comes to getting what she wants. She loves to sing to her squeak toys. She sometimes mistakes the cats for toys by gently rolling them over and pressing her nose on their tummies to 'make them squeak'.

Submitted by Lori & Jim
Wilmington, DE

"Mary's Rose of Tralee"

“Our little Rosie” arrived at our home on December 22, 2001 ~ 5 weeks old and weighing just three pounds!!  Since this was the “only” Christmas gift our family wanted, she was welcomed with open arms. Rosie is a Miniature Dachshund with a beautiful personality and an abundance of energy & confidence. She is a faithful dog always ready to fetch one of her toys, bring her “kong” for a peanut butter refill, sit by your side and will always roll over and say her prayers with her front paws joined together. She also likes to dress up whether it is a Halloween costume or to go outside in her favorite yellow raincoat. Rosie is a truly loving member of our family and, whether we call her “Rosie Posie”, Nosy Rosy” or just “Rosie, she is truly loved by all of us and by everyone she meets!!

Submitted by Cathie
Wilmington, DE