Michelle

Annie

I LOVE animals. Of all kinds. When I was in elementary school, one of my favorite books was an animal encyclopedia with a spine about 3 inches thick and a hardback cover that began to fall off because I had perused it so many times. 🤓 I was the kid who said “I want to be a veterinarian when I grow up” all the way into college. That is, until I took an “animal restraint” class as an undergrad at BYU (since you need to be able to know how to control an animal in order to give it an injection, take a temperature, etc)... and it was only about a week into that class when I realized being a veterinarian was just not for me. Animals don’t know you’re trying to make them better, and I did not like being the "bad guy."

Anyways, so given my love for animals, when I was around 7 years old I asked my parents if we could get a dog. Thus far, my family had several pets over the years —usually because of my requests— a rat, bunny, and two hamsters. But I wanted a dog. Sooooo badly. My mom was down but my dad needed convincing. So my 7-year-old brain devised this genius idea to take my dad to see the remake of the movie Lassie that was in theaters featuring a heroic dog; surely then he would see how awesome and helpful a dog can be and want to get me one immediately! Or at least that's how I saw it playing out in my mind. "See Dad, the dog would keep me safe! Like saving me from a river like Lassie! And I'll feed it and walk it and brush it and everything! Dad can I get a dog like this one, please?"

I highly doubt that this actually did the trick (more likely he thought my scheming attempts and persistence were endearing), but nevertheless soon afterwards my dad finally agreed. I got a Rough Collie puppy, one that looks just like Lassie, and I named her Annie. When I took her for walks outside, people would even say, "Hey, look it's Lassie!"

Collies are an intelligent herding breed, and my brothers and I invented this game with Annie that unknowingly tapped into her herding instincts where she would try to "herd" us together in the backyard. We would start on the far side of the pool with her on the other and the trampoline behind her which is the "safe zone." Like a game of tag, she is "it," and you have to avoid her to get to the safe zone before she catches up with you. If you tried to run down the left side of the pool, she would go left too to block your way. Since the safe zone was behind her, you had to try to bluff which way you are going to run down the pool to fake her out in order to be able to get to the safe zone. I have no idea how this game started (it wasn't something we trained her to do), but it was always super fun and amusing to other people.

Also among Annie's talents, she could walk on our treadmill. So I when I was feeling exceptionally lazy, I "walked" her on the treadmill while I watched TV. Even though she wasn't the fictional Lassie, Annie was the sweetest, smartest, and fluffiest doggie and I loved her so.

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Andrew

A Furry Guest That Never Left

About 16 years ago, my family was blessed with this four-legged furry creature. She showed up in our backyard one afternoon, and little did we know, she had chosen us to be her parents and primary care provider for all of her 9 lives.

We started out playing all day in the backyard, letting her go home to her actual “family”. She kept coming back week after week and we started to get concerned, so we attached a note to her collar and asked if this cat had a home. She returned the next day with a handwritten “yes” and a phone number on the note. We called the number many times but no one ever answered. Weeks turned into months, months turned into years, and she kept coming back. As time went on, we would allow her inside our house but released her every night to wander back “home”.

After about 3 or 4 years, she was here to stay. Her collar was no longer attached and appeared to be set free (probably by her own choice). We let her in, staying overnight and having free roam whenever she pleased. We got her food bowls and fancy treats. We considered her ours.

As the years went on, she became part of our family and we took full responsibility for her. She became ill at one point where we had to take her to the vet and gladly accepted all the fees that came with it.

You're probably wondering what her name is, but that's the interesting part -- she has no name. Since there was never an official moment declaring her ours, she never received a proper name. That may seem odd but I think it makes for a very unique relationship. I sometimes call her “bub” when we have our daily after dinner discussions, however, the vet knows her as “Poppy”, an alias we created for her.

She’s been with me through it all; elementary school, middle school, high school, and college. I have many fond memories with her and is hands-down the best cat to ever exist. She’s very respectful, outgoing, and independent (except when it comes to food). She’s a retired rodent and bird hunter and current food enthusiast. She’ll like you, but not as much as she likes me.

A few years ago, she was diagnosed with a thyroid issue that we have seemed to manage by medication. In November of last year, she became gravely ill but pulled through and was diagnosed with kidney disease -- the vet gave her three to six months to live. We’ve changed her diet substantially and she requires medication orally every 12 hours. Here we are on month 11 and going strong.

As she strolls through her golden years, I reflect back on the moments we’ve shared and cherish them. I will never forget the times she kept my feet warm in my sleep, the workouts I got from chasing her throughout the house, and the amount of sleep I lost feeding her at 4am most nights. I would gladly do it all again.

Keep up the good fight, Bub. Here’s to another 9 lives.

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Matt

Darla...

For as long as I could remember I have wanted a dog. We had dogs when I was little but they were never "my" dog. Once I had the yard for a dog that could keep up with my energy Ashley and I went and got our new best friend. We always joke about how different our lives would be without her but couldn't picture it without her. She means the world to us and has changed our lives in so many ways. I love my little shadow. (she follows me everywhere)

Lil Dar Dar.