Pet's Name:  Eddie "Boo"

Proud Parents:  Nils and Sarah

Age:  2 Years, 3 months

Breed:  Yorkiepoo

My Personality:  Fun-loving extrovert who soaks up the limelight!

My Favorite Toy:  Green corduroy octopus (on #2 after shredding #1 completely) and tennis ball!

My Favorite Game:  I love to play fetch and do tricks for treats!

What I Like:  Belly rubs, walks with my parents and Pet 'N Play, and cuddling on the couch with my parents during movies.  I also love car rides!!

My Special Talents:  I can walk on my hindlegs and spin like a ballerina (for treats of course).  I have an unusual ability to melt hearts!

Eddie shares this story:  "I was adopted by my loving parents when destiny crossed our paths, in March of 2010.  Potty training was so much fun...I learned it is much more fun to "go" outside than inside!  I have grown up so fast it's hard to believe we've all been together for over 2 years now!  I weigh in at a lean 15.5 lbs.  I have a baby sister on the way that mom and dad keep telling me about!  I'm excited about being a big brother!"

Pet's Names: Dash and Lady

Proud Parents: Tyler and Yuan

Ages: Both are 2

Breeds: Both are King Charles Spaniels. Lady is a Blenheim. Dash is a Tri-color.

Our Personalities: Lady is outgoing and adventurous. Dash is shy and affectionate.

Our Favorite Toys: They both love a yellow cloth bone.

Our Favorite Games: They both like to play chase.

What We Like: Lady likes to be petted and Dash likes to eat treats.

Our Special Talents: Lady's talent is for making friends. Dash can jump really high like a cat.

Lady and Dash's dad shares their adoption story: "Lady was adopted from a breeder in Seattle. I wore a faux-hawk at the time and when we saw Lady with her natural faux-hawk, we knew it would be a perfect fit. Dash came to visit from a breeder in New Jersey once we already had Lady. He was very nervous, but Lady kept playing with him until he became more at ease."

Pet's Name:  Bunny Valentine

Proud Parents:  Mae & Marilou

Age:  5

Breed:  Pit Bull

My Personality:  A big people lover and a medium dog lover.  I think I'm a lap dog.  I can be very bossy and vocal when I want your attention or want to play- you talk to me when you want my attention, so right back at ya.  Otherwise barking is not my thing.  Basically I'm a lover, not a fighter and I'm very smart, a bit manipulative and very amusing.

My Favority Toy:  Busy Buddy- purple bone that you fill with kibble- and the Starmark Everlasting Fun Ball that you can fill with treats.  They're the only toys I haven't been able to destroy, besides the Kong, but Kongs generally bore me.

My Favorite Game:  Fetch with any ball, anywhere, anytime.  Or tug of war with the Busy Buddy (or anything else that's handy).  Chewing on sticks is a pastime too. 

What I Like:  Balls, all balls, any balls, anything resembling a ball.  Ball obsessed.  Favorite favorite is to play with the Chucker at the beach, especially in summer, and to have the ball thrown in the water; I launch into the lake, no matter how big the waves, to retrieve it, riding waves in if I can.  And I'll jump 5 feet in the air to catch it.  I also like to be covered by a blanket when snoozing and to sunbathe.

My Special Talents:  See above re:  balls- spectacular fetcher, jumper, swimmer.  I will also do almost anything for a treat and follow a lot of commands- the latest is kissing on command.  And I have a pretty healthy vocabulary.

Bunny shares this story of her background:  "I was 8 months old and living with a family in Detroit that left me alone all day every day.  I cried a lot and my neighbors complained to the owners several times and finally offered to take me off their hands, which the owners agreed to.  The neighbors already had several cats and a couple of dogs so they sent out an APB to everyone they knew looking for someone to adopt me.  Mae and Marilou saw my photo and decided it was meant to be.  Because I'm so beautiful and talented and funny, I inspired two songs, one of which is called "Luxury Pit Bull".  Because that's what I am now.  Or as they said in New Orleans (where I lived one winter), I'm a house pit."

Pet's Name: Taj

Proud Parents: Ed and Anu

Age: 5

Breed: West Highland Terrier

My Personality: I am a protector and very loyal. I can also be stubborn, especially on walks. I have a hard time letting others take the lead, but I am working on it.

My Favorite Toy: My favorite toy is my alligator puppet. It was a toy my mom used in her work as a child therapist. One day I found it in her box of things and since then it has been mine.

My Favorite Game: Well of course it is fetch with my alligator puppet. I like to play this game every day after breakfast.

What I Like: I love treats, belly rubs, and walks. On sunny days, I like to lay in the grass. I also love to bark at the golf carts that drive around our apartment complex. I think it is fun to let them know I am in charge.

My Special Talents: Right now, my special talent is looking out for my new baby brother, Deven. My mom and dad brought him home from the hospital in November. They did not tell me they were doing that so needless to say I was very surprised and a little jealous at first. Now, I make sure I protect him. I lay in front of his crib and I also watch out for strangers who approach our house.

My adoption story: "My mom and dad adopted me from a breeder in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They came to visit where I was born and met my mom first. Then they came back and picked me out of the bunch because I was the most playful with my mom and siblings. I was only 9 weeks old when they brought me home. I was scared during the three-hour car ride back home, but my mom and dad made sure I felt safe and secure by holding me a lot and sleeping near my crate."

Pet's Name:  Gypsy Rose (Racing name Jit Itsy Trey)

Proud Parent:  Sue

Age: 8 years

Breed:  Greyhound

My Personality:  A very laid back couch potato!

My Favorite Toy:  Stuffed bunny

My Favorite Game:  Race around my backyard "track"

What I Like:  Sleeping, chasing squirrels, treats

My Special Talents:  Going to Meet & Greets so people can see how great Greyhounds are, and convince them to adopt one!

Gypsy's mom shares this story:  "Gypsy was adopted 6 years ago from GreytHounds of Eastern Michigan (GEM).  I am very active in GEM and had agreed to foster a "cat-safe" male (at the time I had a female diva that didn't like other females, and I also had 4 cats).  When the van arrived from the Dairyland track, it turned out that none of the males were "cat-safe", so I took Gypsy, a big dopey looking female with a good story.  During a race, there was a power failure at the track and the lure stopped.  Gypsy ran up and caught it.  After that she wouldn't chase the lure anymore and that was the end of her very short racing career.  It turned out that my other greyhound liked Gypsy, and by the end of the day, I knew she wasn't going anywhere- I failed fostering!  If anyone is interested in adopting a retired racing greyhound, check out our website:  www.gemgreyhounds.org (It's in the process of being updated!)."

Pet's Name: Riley Aloysius

Proud Parents: Rob and Cameron

Age: 8 years...but I'm a puppy at heart!

Breed: Black Labrador Retreiver

My Personality: Playful, loyal and VERY social.

My Favorite Toy: My Nylabone (the louder I can chew it the better!) and Michigan football pull toy...Go Blue!

My Favorite Game: Catch with a frisbee, ball or whatever else is on hand. It's even better if I get to play in the water!

What I Like: Playing catch, swimming, any food my parents will give me off the table, and chewing leather goods when I am left to my own devices!

My Special Talents: I am an expert at catch - I can catch a ball or frisbee in the air with a flying leap, and I will return it to my parents every time.

My Adoption Story: "My previous owners became sick and couldn't care for me anymore, and so I found myself in a shelter. Fortunately at that time Rob and Cameron were on the look out for a furry addition to their family, and Rob especially wanted a black lab. They saw a video of me playing catch at the shelter, and they were hooked! They came to the shelter to meet me and I impressed them with my handsome good looks, playful and friendly personality, and excellent catching skills. I am very happy with my new family, and I know that I make them very happy too!"

Pet's Name: Trickster, aka Trixie

Proud Parents: Vic and Nancy

Breed: English Shepherd

Age: 11 months (born on Halloween 2010)

My Personality: Playful and bright, clever, opinionated, competitive and bossy - as any herding dog will be.

My Favorite Toy: Ball - any shape and size. I know what B-A-L-L spells.

My Favorite Game: Ball toss in the back yard.

What I Like: Playing ball, de-stuffing toys, tug toy, harassing chipmunks, squirrels and bunnies, going to the metropark or the Arb for a walk, agility training, chasing my kitty-brothers (but Yaz always disses me, and Dewey shows me the paw - gotta respect that).

My Special Talents: Ringing the jingle bells to ask to go outside. "Stealing" tennis balls from the top of my crate.

The Story of My Life With Cats: "One day I was in the family room when Yaz came over, tagged me, and took off. I get frustrated and yip while in pursuit because he can out maneuver me around the corners and get upstairs and disappear before I can tag him back. I saw Yaz dash back down the stairs and I followed, hot on his trail, down the front hall, through the kitchen and into the family room. Then back through the kitchen, into the living room. I ran upstairs. HE WAS GONE! (POOF)!!! So I ran back downstairs, yipping all the way. Vic and Nanc noticed I was searching for him. Turns out the little rat jumped up onto Nanc's piano and was just watching me run around...jerk. Not fair, that's against the rules!!!"

Pet's Name:  Finch

Proud Parent:  Anne

Breed:  Goldendooldle

Age:  4 months

My Personality:  I act like a bit of a goon when I first meet you but once you get to know me you'll realize I have struck the perfect balance between quiet dignity and overt puppy affection.  I love meeting new people!

My Favority Toy:  A non-stuffed rabbit with squeakers at both ends.  I love to fling him around, chew on his tail and make him squeak over and over and over and over.

My Favorite Game:  Taking shoes out of my mom's closet and running away with them.  All the while with the most innocent of expressions on my face.

What I Like:  Chewing up ice cubes, chasing my tail, eating goose poop, toilet paper preferably on the roll, staring longingly out the window at frogs, hummingbirds, passers-by and the little white dog that lives next door.

My Special Talents:  I do an uncanny impression of a bearskin rug.  I must be double-jointed 'cause I sure can sprawl out on all four!

Finch says: "I am the offspring of two therapy dogs who volunteer at the hospital where my adopted mom works.  Maybe when I grow up I'll learn not to pee on new people and be invited to help make little kids less scared while they're in the hospital."

Pet's Name:  Lucy

Proud Parents:  Rafael and Michelle

Breed:  English Bulldog

Age:  7 months

My Personality:  I am very lovable and I am quick to make friends.  I love meeting strangers and having them rub my belly.  I give kisses to anyone who's willing to get down within reach.  I'm also very sneaky though...I know I'm not supposed to be on the furniture, so I wait til mom and dad leave the room before I get on it.  They make me get off though when I get caught... :-(  I know I am spoiled, but I get what I want.  I'll take a good walk if I'm up for it, but I'm also easily distracted by EVERYTHING.

My Favorite Toy:  I have two favorite toys...my Wubba and Mr. Bear.  I toss Mr. Bear around and chew on his face.  Unfortunately, I play too rough and Mr. Bear is no more.  It's ok, I have plenty of other toys scattered around the house.  I also enjoy a good empty plastic bottle.

My Favorite Game:  Is belly rubbing a game?  If so, that is my favorite.  I'll also play fetch with my Wubba, but only if I feel like it.

What I Like:  I like naps, belly rubs, to give gisses, to cuddle, to meet new friends, ice cubes, green beans, and sausage snacks.

My Special Talents:  To sleep for 16 hours a day (sometimes while I am sitting up) and to be the center of attention, regardless of what else is going on.

Lucy shares this story: "I was a part of two big puppy litters at my breeder, and no one wanted me for the longest time.  They took most of my brothers, sisters and cousins away, and I was starting to think no one would want me.  Luckily, my mommy and daddy bought me when they got back from their European vacation as their anniversary gift to each other.  I am so happy to be in my new home with my new family."

Name:  Lilly and Juneau

Proud Parent:  Jerry

Breed:  St. Bernard

Age:  Lilly- 6  Juneau- 4

My Personality: 

Lilly- I am very easy going as long as you do exactly what I want, which I will be very clear about.  For example, if we are walking and you are not going in the direction I had in mind, I will just sit down and wait, facing the direction we should be going until you realize the mistake you made.  No worries, you'll get it down eventually.

Juneau- I am a big guy on the move!  I love to go where ever you want to go.  I must have my morning walks at Hudson Mills everyday and I can't wait for my afternoon walks with Katy and John in my neighborhood!  I love to run in the yard and will do figure eights around my sandbox just to keep my edge and agility!

My Favorite  Toy:

Lilly- Water bottles, plastic preferably.  I like to bite them and make a ton of noise.  I can also get the cap off in about 2 seconds.  I tried to pick up a glass one yesterday and it didn't crunch at all.  Just a big thud when I dropped it on the floor.  Boring.

Juneau- Hmm that would be a ball.  I love to chase them but I never know what to do with them when I get to them!  So I put them all in one spot in the yard- we had a poodle visit once and I saw her do that so I guess that's what you do with them.

My Favorite Game:

Lilly- I like socks.  And very small pieces of things, like bottle caps and toothpicks.  I am very adept at holding them between my teeth when you tell me to show you what is in my mouth.  And I will give them to you for a biscuit.

Juneau- Chase!  Sooo much fun!  When I first saw the deer and rabbits in the park- I couldn't believe how much fun it was to chase them.  I so got in trouble the day this little bunny hopped right out in front of me- so close, his little white pouf of a tail bouncing up and down, up and down, zigzaging right in front of me.  I looked at Lilly and she started to pounce- I thought we were cleared for the chase.  I spun around and blasted off, forgetting I was hooked up to my leash and my person hooked up to that...oh what happened after that was not pretty- Lilly wasn't running with me, my person was not running with me.  She had spun around like an ice skater so I thought we were all going to go but then she was down.  Dust swirling above us, bunny long gone and I was in trouble!  I got marched straight to the car, no stopping for our usual dip in the river or our rest on the picnic table.  And when we got in the car there was lots of loud scolding and then more scolding and just when it got quiet, there was more scolding.  Geez I haven't wanted to chase a bunny since then.  Now when I see one, I just am very cool, like "yeah, that's a bunny, but so what?"  I just walk all nonchalant like and keep sniffing and just like walk a little faster, and a little faster, but I never run after it- nope, must not run...

What I Like:

Lilly- Barking at Sparky the mailman is so very satisfying.  He turns and walks away everytime I get right up in the front door window and let him have it.  I got him trained up in no time.

Juneau- Chasing the black cat from next door, the dog in the yard behind ours, the ball, the greyhounds at the dog park, just not the bunny.  I also must have pets, lots of pets.  I like to walk with my head resting on your hip, so you can rub my ears anytime you like or scratch my head.  It feels sooo good! 

My Special Talents:

Lilly- I have a therapy dog background.  Well sort of.  I never actually finished the class because I really didn't like the Labradoodle that always sat next to me.  And you have to do so much outside of class that it consumed my entire day- you know you have to get brushed all the time, get baths all the time, plus you can't sniff any dogs walking by ever!  What's up with that??  I found I just had no time to chase the dog next door along the fence.  But I did really like going into places like the airport and the post office.  And I looked so hot in that vest!

Juneau- Hmmm...I am very friendly and I love meeting people that might want to pet my head or scratch my ears.

Juneau shares this story about life with Lilly:  "Lilly is my older sister and she is my constant playmate.  I always ask her stuff I don't know 'bout- like what plants are okay to eat- cone flower which are echinacea, golden rod- I have to ask her 'cuz I get them mixed up once in a while and then I puke- ugh!  OK time to go- must chase dog- I hear barking!  And Lilly is already out there!"

Name:  Marco

Proud Parents:  Pramit and Suparna

Breed:  Australian Shepherd

Age:  2 Years

My Personality:  Sweet, affectionate, and very energetic!  I like other dogs but love people.  I've developed the habit of greeting people by running back and forth through their legs.  Which can cause some rather odd situations with strangers and/or women wearing long skirts.

My Favorite Toy:  A torn-up soccer ball.  Though I do have a special place in my heart for sofa cushions.

My Favorite Game:  Soccer, of course!  Also, I love fetch, though I rarely bring anything back.  That way my parents can get some exercise as well.

What I like:  I love hiking in the woods with my parents.  Any kind of physical activity is perfect for me, except for baths, which I loathe.  Sometimes I escape from baths and then the real fun begins...

My Special Talents:  I can crawl!  Katy and John taught me that.  I can also balance a treat on my nose until given the command to eat it.  That one I learned from my nine year old niece.

Marco shares this story about his parents:  "When my parents came to see me, I was just a wee pup.  My siblings were equally as cute as I was, so it was a tough decision for them.  So I gave them my sweetest, most angelic face and they were instantly smitten (until I chased my sister under a char in an attempt to terrorize her, but they loved me anyway).  Soon enough they saw my naughty side.  Like when I try to abscond with things I shouldn't have (like really important documents).  My silly victory dance always gives me away, so I am quickly discovered.  Basically, whenever I'm quiet or absent from the room, I'm up to something!  Lucikly, I'm cute, so nothing sticks."

We couldn't agree more!

Name:  Kira

Proud Parents:  Pat & Ken

Age:  6 months

Breed:  Mixed

My Personality:  Forthright and affectionate, occasionally jet-propelled.

My Favorite Toy:  Anything I am allowed to chew or fling.

My Favorite Game:  Fetch

What I Like:  Checking out the world on my walks, cuddling on the couch, mealtimes, and playing learning games. 

My Special Talents:  Very high vertical leaps.

Kira's family shares this story:  "We went to the Humane Society of Huron Valley agreeing that we would adopt an adult dog, but every conversation over the days that followed came back to a five month old puppy who in separate encounters had touched both our hearts.  As the days passed we could not understand why no one had seen how wonderful this pup was and adopted her.  Then, we were lucky enough to realize in time what we were really saying and went to HSHV and adopted her ourselves."

What a lucky puppy to have found such great people to adopt her!

Name: Sophie (aka Stinky)

Proud Parents: Fred and Teresa

Age: 6 on May 28th

Breed: Jack Russell Terrier

My Personality: Cute. I am not really a dog person, I am more of a people person. I am really cute! I am also very protective of my parents. I suppose I can be a bit stubborn, but what cute, only-child is not?

My Favorite Toy: Ball...also my favorite word.

What I Like: Chasing a ball, hide and seek with a ball, chewing on a ball, indoor soccer, jumping, running - I am a very active girl. Belly rubs and treats are okay too...Greenies are good. Similar to all humans, I like a nice comfy pillow.

My Special Talents: I can catch a ball midair and I can lick a face clean! I also don't need any sleep. I love snuggling between Fred and Teresa and staring at them while they sleep...wagging my cute tail...with a big grin on my face...I am soooo cute! I can run for hours, I would run marathons if they were longer.

My Story: My mom did not grow up with dogs and was not exactly a dog person. She would occasionally pet a dog if gloves were handy. But I changed all that! Like I said earlier, I am very cute. Less than 24 hours after being adopted by Teresa, I melted her heart. She lets me on the bed, she snuggles with me, she takes me on nice walks, she even buys me clothes. For Halloween she bought me a ladybug costume and took me trick-or-treating. We are BFFs! 

Name: Kona

Proud Parents: Alex and Caroline

Age: Almost 4, but I still act like a puppy. You should see me wiggle!

Breed: Labrador Retreiver

My Personality: Oh my. I would describe myself as hungry, is that a personality trait? Also, I LOVE people and dogs. I give everyone big kisses.

My Favorite Toy: I like my dummy that floats in the water and anything that is stuffed and has a squeeker. I especially like toys that have ropes attached to them...I swing them back and forth so that they hit me in the face...it feels good, I guess.

My Favorite Game: Anything you want to play with me is my favorite game! My parents have a friend with two broken wrists. He makes the best opponent for tug of war...he never stops trying, but I win every time! Also, when my mom isn't watching, I like to sneak into the neighbors' yard to poop.

What I Like: Treats! Swimming, retrieving off the end of the dock...I just moved to Michigan, so I am still in search of new places to swim. I also adore chipmunk. In the summer, he and I sit and stare at one another through the back door for hours.

My Special Talents: "Twirling" (spinning around counter clockwise)...I can't go the other way though...I am not an ambi-twirler. I am also hungry, is that a talent?

My parents get upset when I rub my eye goobers on the new sofa, so now I have learned to go into the other room and rub them on the old sofa. That's a good talent.

I also recently discovered the joy of sleeping on my back...now I do it almost all the time.

Kona's mom shares this story: "We adopted Kona as a puppy when she was eight weeks old. Before she was allowed to go home, we visited her litter every couple of weeks at the breeder's house. When Kona was about six weeks old, we were trying to select which puppy we wanted. Kona instantly sat up, made perfect eye contact with us, and cocked her head to one side (as though she could understand every word we were saying). We were hopelessly attached from that moment, and Kona sealed her adoption with the turn of her head."

Name: Murphy
Proud parents: Avi and Dani
Age: ~4
Breed: Lab/Retriever mix

My Personality:  Playful, spunky, athletic, enthusiastic, and always happy.  I'm nice to all creatures, even skunks although they don't always agree.  I enjoy all people, and love making new friends -- two-legged and four.  I have a never-ending reservoir of energy, am always ready to play, and will place myself in your lap no matter what you're doing (or if you want me there).  I enjoy licking, everything, so be ready for that.  I've recently learned the joys of snuggling with kitties, and sometimes they even let me have some of their food.  Come hang out with me, you won't be disappointed!

My Favorite Toy:  I can always play with my toy skunk.  But really, I like
anything with stuffing that I can rip out.  And squeakers are a must! Sometimes I get distracted by the small shiny cat toys, but I usually just end up accidentally eating them.

My Favorite Game:  Fetch. Lots and lots of fetch.  And rugby.

What I like:  Running. Chewing. Licking.  Snuggling.  Playing. Couches. The New York Giants.  Meat.

My Special Talents: Blow some bubbles near me, just see how many of them I can bite in mid-air.

Murphy's owner shares this story:  "We had looked at adopting a dog before, but had trouble finding the perfect match for our lifestyle and multiple cats.  But when a work friend said that she was putting her "perfect" dog up for adoption, we decided to see if we could add Murphy to the team.  We picked him up on Friday, and by Sunday we were going on long runs and all four pets were happily playing together.  It was a perfect match, and now he is an integral part of the family!"

Name: Zoe
Proud parents: Rick & Deb
Age: 15 months
Breed: Schnoodle
 
My Personality: I'm highly neurotic with a measure of oral fixation and
a dash of Napoleonic complex. The neighbors call me "The Terrorist" and the neighborhood squirrels call me "The Jackal."   I've gotten by in life so far relying on my amazing looks, my hypoallergenicness and my precise metering of affection.

My Favorite Toy: Anything found on floor level is mine to destroy or
eat as I desire. Your ankles, the new kitchen cabinets, meaty bugs...  I
give high priority to smelly items but am also partial to paper products
which can be easily shredded.

My Favorite Game: Finding new and unexpected locations to have "an
accident."  I'm also honing my high-pitched bark to achieve the
frequency that causes ear bleeds.  Practice makes perfect.

What I Like:   I'm a ho for treats. Also, I like watching “The Dog
Whisperer” for grins.  That stuff is whack.  Seriously?  I'm starting my
own cable show called “The People Whisperer.”  It's where I make adults
talk in baby voices, wrack them with guilt for leaving me for 10 minutes
and make them wait as long as possible for me to relieve myself in -20
degree temps. 

My Special Talents: I have managed to make both my owners believe I
love each of them better than the other.  

Zoe's mom, Deb, shares this story: "Zoe would not be with our family were it not for a girl's dinner out with 2 bottles of wine followed by an unprotected visit to a pet store.  While unplanned, Zoe has turned out to be a blessing beyond compare (truly).  And Zoe is proof positive that a highly flawed being can be loved unconditionally just because it is cute."

Name: Sydney
Proud parents: Carl and Julia 
Age: 5
Breed: beagle

My Personality: I am very calm and cute. I can get them every time with my big brown eyes. I am a bit stubborn, but I really like to please my parents. Sometimes I just can't help myself, however...the couch is so inviting (but I always tell my parents if I have been on the couch and beg for forgiveness when they get home from work). I am also very quiet; the only noise I make is a squeal when I am excited to see people come in the door (I have a puppy window so I can look out on the street). I am also timid with other dogs, but I am sure all people love me and want me to greet them - everyone that comes to our house comes to see me (I'm sure of it).

My Favorite Toy: A white teddy bear that used to be my mom's. I pretend I'm a lion and it is my prey...I pin it down by the neck and growl ferociously while all the fur on my back stands on end. I have been doing this for 2.5 years now (half my life!).

My Favorite Game: Playing with my teddy bear...I put on a good show. Or anything for carrots; I have quite a repetoire of tricks.

What I Like: I LOVE walks, cuddling (especially belly rubs), food and sleeping. I really like when everyone gets up in the morning together (I will wake everyone up if they try to sleep) and when everyone goes to sleep at night together. I really love my grandparents, I wish we all lived together. And did everything together. I love going places too...my parents take me lots of fun places like friends' houses, Chicago to visit my aunt and uncle, and camping on Lake Michigan (I love digging in the sand).

My Special Talents: Well...I am a beagle, but my sense of smell is not so good...I'm really good at opening presents...my parents think my best quality is my loyalty - they can keep me off the leash and I will stick right with them.

My Story: My mom adopted me when I was 5 weeks old. I was a terror as a puppy; good thing I was cute.  My dad came into my life when I was 2; I adore him.

Name:  Duncan and Turtle

Proud Parents:  Maris and Tyler

Age:  Duncan:  6 months

         Turtle:  2.5 years

Breed:  Duncan:  Cavalier King Charles Mix

            Turtle:  Puggle

My Personality:  Duncan:  Goofy, curious, and lovable. 

                          Turtle:  Cunning, loyal, and sweet.

My Favorite Toy:  Duncan:  Turtle!

                            Turtle:  Floating frisbee

My Favorite Game:  Duncan:  Bother Turtle!

                               Turtle:  Chase

What I Like:  Both:  Walks with Eric and visits to Swift Run Dog Park

My Special Treats:  Both:  Peanut butter filled Kongs!

Turtle and Duncan's mom, Maris, shares this story on her blog about their first trip to the dog park together:  "Duncan, Turtle and I arrived back in Ann Arbor this week. We were very excited to get re-settled in our apartment and go to our local dog park.  Duncan held back with me while Turtle made his usual rounds.  Turtle checked back often to make sure everything was o.k. and to get Duncan up to speed on dog park etiquette.  Then Duncan felt brave enough to go explore on his own!  Then it was back home for a nap on the cool kitchen floor." 

Sounds like a great life- Ducan and Turtle are both very lucky pups!

Name:  Wilson

Proud parents:  Patrick and Erica

Age:  10 months

Breed:  Labradoodle

My Personality:  Silly, friendly, playful, a bit sassy when told "No".

My Favorite Toy:  7 ft long sticks

My Favorite Game:  Playing catch at the park down the street

What I Like:  Peanut butter, my parents, chewing the couch, hugs, other dogs (especially the neighbor dog- Iggy Pop), walks, and sticks.

My Special Talents:  Swimming and carrying sticks up to four times my size!

Moe's dad, Patrick, says:  "We love having Wilson.  He makes us laugh and brings us a tremendous amount of joy.  We're so happy to have trustworthy dog walkers who can help us take Wilson out when we can't be there.  Thanks again!"

Name:  Moe

Proud parents:  Lindsey and Vikas

Age:  8 months

Breed:  Terrier-Beagle Mix

My Personality:  Shy, friendly and playful.  I'm a self-preservationist at heart.

My Favorite Toy:  My stuffed-animal bird

My Favorite Game:  Playing tag in the yard

What I Like:  My family, my backyard, peanut butter, going to the dog park, looking out the front window, squirrels, digging holes in the ground.

My Special Talents:  Finding my parents's socks.

Moe says, "I love playing with other puppies in my yard!"

Name:  Sophie

Proud parents:  Jenn Strahle and Andy Odden

Age:  3 1/2 months

Breed:  Pomeranian

My Personality:  Extremely happy and high-energy!

My Favorite Toy:  Anything squeaky!  My absolute favorite has to be my green froggy friend.

My Favorite Game:  I love running around the yard and chasing after my parents.  I also like moving my food all over the house before I eat it- I get my exercise and my dinner at the same time!

What I Like:  Running, playing, petting, chewing, chasing, and being chased.

My Special Talents:  I've been learning how to sit, lie down, and fetch; I'm probably best at never ever sitting still for too long- my motor never really stops running.

Sophie's dad, Andy, shares this about Sophie:  "Sophie has been a huge hit around our neighborhood.  She loves meeting people and has been very good with new situations.  We've met so many people from the neighborhood who've come up to us to meet and play with Sophie.  She is the first dog either of us have ever owned, and we can't believe how much joy we get from her every day."

Name:  Molly

Proud parents:  Dave Norton and Tina Haley

Age:  8 weeks

Breed:  Golden Retriever

My Personality:  Curious and energetic, yet cuddly and loves attention

My Favorite Toy:  Anything BUT a dog toy (i.e. chairs, sticks, twigs, pant legs, strings from the blinds, rugs, etc.)

My Favorite Game:  So far it is "try to get this out of my mouth"

What I Like:  I like having my belly rubbed...I don't mind the rain, but didn't like my first bath.  I like to run around the yard and play with a soccer ball.  I don't mind being brushed, but don't like when my brush is sitting on the floor.  I growl and bark at it- it's something about those bristles.

My Special Talents:  I can already sit upon command.  I am learning how to shake and can do that about 80% of the time.  I also get the hiccups on a daily basis- is that a talent??

Molly's mom, Tina, shares this story about Molly:  "Dave was biased to Molly before we picked out a puppy because she fell asleep in his arms on the first visit.  I wasn't all that convinced, but was won over when I looked at her and asked if she wanted to come home with us.  Molly stared at me with her big brown eyes and then started licking my chin.  Sold!"