"Fur-ever Loved: Celebrating the Joy and Love of My Dogs, My Babies"

For as long as I could remember, animals have held a special place in my heart. Growing up, I always knew I had an innate love for them, but I didn’t fully understand the depth of that connection until later in life. I have had just about every animal you could imagine: rabbits, hamsters, rats, guinea pigs, lots and lots of cats and multiple fish tanks. I even had two pet rabbits once that had free rein in the house just like our cats. It was adorable because they would cuddle with my cats or hop up and sit on the couch with us. They even used the kitty door to go in and out of the house freely!

I had always said I wouldn’t get a dog until the day my biological clock started ticking. I had always been more of the "Aunty" type when it came to kids. I loved children, but I knew that being a mom wasn’t for me. Getting a dog was my next level of commitment, LOL! Cats are easy and you can easily go on vacation if all you have is Cats. Dogs on the other hand are a lot like having a kid because if you want to go away you must find someone to take care of them and give them love in your absence.

Fast forward to now, and my dogs are no longer just pets—they are my kids. I love them so much, and it’s a love that fills my heart every single day. Each of them has their own unique personality, and together, they create a bond that is irreplaceable.

Winston, my little old soul, has a calm and serene presence. His gentle nature and quiet companionship remind me of what true peace feels like. He is the sweetest and most loving little guy! From the time he was young has always had to have a "Baby" with him. Over the years there have been many but he loves and protects his stuffed babies. When it's time to go to bed, you will see him gathering his baby so he can cuddle with it when he sleeps. If one of his siblings steels it... and Brownie the Brat always does...He will bark and bark until someone comes and "Saves" his baby. Winston was our first dog and had I been smart, he would have been the only dog. I had it in my mind that little Winston needed a friend to keep him company when we were both working...That is when we welcomed Brownie to the Family.

Meet Brownie, my wild card. She’s a little crazy, a lot wild, and her sweet spirit and exuberant energy never fail to bring a smile to my face. Brownie was supposed to be a Shih Tzu-Poodle just like little Winston. Unfortunately she definitely is not...She is a Terrier Mix. In comparison to little Winston She is definitely a crazy ball of energy. While her energy was a little too much for Winston, it was still nice that he had a friend. She is so crazy about me that even if I am gone just five minutes I am greeted like I have been gone for weeks! She often wants to sit on my lap, even if it means sitting in the most uncomfortable position, just so she can be close to me.

Brownie My Love Bug

When I am working at the computer she used to always want to lay on my Lap

And last, but certainly not least, there’s Corky, the youngest of the three. I found Corky in the small town of Corcoran California when I was there delivering keys to a client who had just closed on a home. The poor little guy was just a small puppy who was so hungry he was in the middle of the street trying to lick something off the asphalt. I could not just leave him there, so I brought him home. The hubby was not happy when he heard I was headed home with a puppy but I said I could not leave him there and that I would find him a home. Well...I brought him home and him and Brownie instantly bonded. It was like she had been waiting for little Corky to join the family. A little ball of energy, Corky has a zest for life that’s contagious. Him and Brownie will chase each other all over the place! Little Winston will sometimes join in, but he just can't compete with their crazy energy. Corky was definitely the missing link, being a terrier mix also, him and Brownie are like two peas in a pod. He absolutely loves nature and has a special connection with the outdoors. One of my favorite memories of him is watching him leap from rock to rock at the river in Springville, his joy so pure and uninhibited. I often find him laying out on the deck just watching the squirrels and deer. He can sit all day and just take in the nature around him.

Fun and Spunky Corky

Nap Time

Together, the three of them bring so much joy to my life. When I would set them free on the lower property they would begin chasing each other all over the garden—what I liked to call my “park.” The sight of them running freely, tails wagging, tongues hanging out is a reminder of how lucky I am to have them by my side. Our walks up the US Forest Service roads by our house were another highlight of our day. There, they would run wild and free, their energy boundless, while I would take in the beauty of the world around us.

But the moments I cherished the most were in the springtime, when I would take my coffee and my dogs up the road to enjoy the wildflowers. Watching them frolic and play, filling the air with their laughter and happiness, was the perfect start to my day. Now that we live in Blairsville they are still super spoiled, while we don't leave the property often for off leash play I fenced in my huge yard so that they could run free for playtimes, or sit and lay out in the sun when I am out gardening.

The simple mornings in nature with my fur kids were my soul’s nourishment, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world. These dogs, my three beloved companions, have brought more love and happiness into my life than I could have ever imagined. They are my heart, my family, my kids, and I couldn’t be more grateful for them.