Pets

 

Gracie Belle is our golden retriever mix rescue.  She was adopted in September of 2014 and has brought both joy and challenges to our household.  She is by far the sweetest, most loving dog I have ever had.  She doesn’t always play nice with other dogs but is great with us humans.  She is a huge fan of our backyard wildlife including squirrels, opossums, and racoons.  Some critters have met with unfortunate encounters with our enthusiastic retriever.  Most steer clear altogether.  Gracie and I have worked together at a local training academy where she (and I) have learned to enjoy walks and some basic commands on lead.

Chloe was “inherited” from my in-laws after their passing in 2012.  She is a Maltzu (Maltese / Shih tzu).  As a puppy, she was such a comfort to my mother-in-law, Ella Gale, during her battle with metastatic breast cancer.  Chloe sat with Ella for hours on end, and even learned to entertain herself by tossing and fetching her own toys.  She now presides over our household as the “boss” keeping Gracie and Nahla (the cat) in line with stern barks when mischief is afoot.  Chloe is our “travel dog”.  She accompanies us on all of our RVing adventures.

Nahla came to us as a “gift” to my daughter, Emily.  A prospective boyfriend felt a sweet little kitten would forever secure true love from Emily.  That was in 2008.  Emily has since grown and moved on to establish her life, and we now have “custody” of the gifted cat.  Nahla is a very sweet and curious cat.  She tolerates Gracie, and effectively ignores Chloe’s stern barks.