Meet Our Furry Family

Cooper and Chloe are King Charles Cavaliers. They enjoy boat rides, playing fetch with Dad and going shopping with Mom. Almost five years ago, Cooper’s sweet face appeared on Facebook and we had to call and see if he was available locally. We were shocked to find out he was here in Wellington, Colorado! Cooper came home with us three days before Christmas, and his brother, Abel, came home with our daughter and her husband. Cooper knows his brother’s name and gets excited when we tell him he is coming over. He can shake and high five. He has been such a good dog we decided to get him a sister from the same breeder. Chloe is as sweet and loving as Cooper, and she fit in with our family right away. I cannot imagine life without these two lap lovers!

Last year was quite the year! I was lucky enough to find another perfect pooch for me! When we temporarily shut down for COVID-19 on March 18th, I decided I should foster a pup. It took a week and a half before I finally found one available because everyone was adopting or fostering new pooches.

On March 28th, Evergreen Animal Protective League brought me Colorado Rockie, a 7-month-old mutt, to foster. When he arrived, he was quite timid and very unsure of his surroundings. He did not know how to walk on a leash and was afraid of his own shadow. I sat down on the curb to greet him and he immediately jumped into my lap—all 35 pounds of him! Uh oh!I only had Rockie for about three hours when I got an email from the shelter saying they had two applicants to adopt him. My first response was, “I just got him!”

The volunteer said, “Well, you are a foster and that’s what sometimes happens with fosters,” so I asked her about me keeping Rockie. She said I had first choice since I was his foster, and I would just need to pay the adoption fee. As soon as I agreed to that, I started second guessing my decision because I really didn’t know anything about him, other than he was one of the sweetest guys around.

Being a foster failure with Rockie is one of my best failures! We just celebrated our 1-year gotcha day. He is so smart, loving and protective, and he melts my heart, makes me laugh and definitely tests my patience on a regular basis. He has gone through some training and is such a quick learner. He can now catch a treat off of his nose. I have never had a dog that loves to cuddle as much as this boy! His favorite thing to do is chase his ball at the dog park. He is so fast! I just need to work on him bringing the ball back instead of having to walk to him!

He is now 1.5 years old, and I can’t wait to see what other adventures we take together! Next we will train him to ride on the bow of my kayak—wish me luck!!!!

To tell you the story of my Lady Bug, I must first tell you the back story.

Years ago, when my mom and dad were still with me, my dad took my mom’s car to the mechanic because she said it was making a funny noise. The mechanic asked my dad where the noise was coming from and what it sounded like. My pop’s response was, “Hell! I don’t know! My wife can hear it, but then again, she can hear a ladybug fart!” Ever since that day, ladybugs have been a huge part of my family’s life—most of us have ladybug tattoo somewhere on our bodies!

Fast-forward many years …In October 2018, a friend of mine was working an adoption event for 4 Paws 4 Life. She sent me a picture of a pup that was up for adoption named Lady Bug. She was a white-with-blackish-brown-spots Blue Heeler mix, about 55 pounds. My friend knew the ladybug story and thought this pooch and I belonged together. I said I didn’t want her because it had been a while since I had a dog, and I was too busy, and she was too big for a condo.

A few months went by, with me looking at the website often, seeing this precious girl still not being adopted. I decided to go and meet her in January 2019. I went to an adoption event that she was at and realized she was even bigger than I thought. I left that night without her, but I could not quit thinking about her. I talked to a few friends and they suggested I foster her. I went to 4 Paws 4 Life in Sedalia the next day and ended up bringing her home as a “Foster to Adopt” pup. Early the next morning, I emailed them and said Lady Bug was at her permanent home!

She was the sweetest, smartest, most precious dog I could have ever gotten! She went through two different dog obedience classes and graduated with honors! She was my companion, side kick and best friend for almost a year.

Unfortunately, in December 2019, she was diagnosed with bone cancer and I had to make the impossible decision to let her go. The year I had with her was one of the best! She loved me unconditionally and I know I gave her the best final year of her life. I miss her so much and still talk to her on a regular basis. I will never forget that baby, and I know I will see her some day at the end of the Rainbow Bridge!

Meet Maggie May! She is a 2 and half years old and a yellow Lab. Her favorite thing is snuggles with her dad — she is a daddy’s girl!