Join us for a multi-week blog series as we share some of YOUR favorite pet stories. Thank you for sharing them with us!
Pet’s Name: Coco
Owners: Sharon Burnham, Roanoke City
Breed: Mutt
Age: 8 years
Gender: Female
Gets his/her shots and pet care at: Brambleton Veterinary
Your Pet’s Story: We all have a dream pet, but my dog Coco literally came to me in a dream. After Joe left for Iraq in September 2007, I began looking for a dog for solace and company. I looked at local shelters in person and online, but no dog seemed right for me. Then I had a vivid dream: a small brown dog with a very black snout was sitting on my lap. In my dream, I called her Coco. When I woke up, I went to website of the League for Animal Protection (Fincastle). There she was, just like in the dream. I called and learned they had just received her for adoption. I practically flew there. I normally visit a dog several times before deciding, but not this time. Coco is indeed the only dog I’ve ever had who loves to sit in my lap. Truly my dream dog.
Favorite Place to Play: Lakewood Park
Favorite Treat: Dried liver
Favorite Toy: Kong toy with Milk Bone and peanut butter inside
Best Trick: She presses the Staples “Easy button for parents” on command, which responds “your house, your rules,” or “of course you’re right,” or “that was easy” when I give her the cue.
Best Advice for Pet Owners: Be strict when teaching manners. Then you can back off and relax a little bit.
Pet’s Name: Powder
Owner: Tricia Rockaway, Cypress, TX
Breed: Pochon
Age: 2
Gender: Female
Gets his/her shots and pet care at: Black horse animal hospital
Your Pet’s Story: Powder is a rescue, she had been there for 3 months. I past her by once and came back. She was barking her head off and very angry, I took her because I thought no one else would. Powder was skinny and angry and standoffish. I had been through a drug addiction issue with 2 kids, I had spent 4 years dealing with it and I lost a part of myself. I had trouble leaving the house due to anxiety. My husband is allergic to animals but he agreed to get a hypoallergenic small breed. . The first night I put her in a dog crate and she screamed like nothing you have ever heard. I took her out and put her in my bed and she has been there ever since. She is a certified therapy dog now and goes everywhere with me. We were meant to be together.
Favorite Place to Play: We play in the back yard and she loves to play chase. I am the monster, I put up my hands real scary like and say ” I am gonna get you” and she runs and runs.
Favorite Treat: Vanilla ice cream!!!!
Favorite Toy: Anything that squeaks.
Best Trick: Not much on tricks, LOL
Best Advice for Pet Owners: Be the person your dog think you are!!!
Pet’s Name: Lilly Hope
Owner: Lynda Knezovich, Roanoke City
Breed: American Staffordshire Terrier
Age: 9 months
Gender: Female
Gets his/her shots and pet care at: Roanoke Animal Hospital
Your Pet’s Story: I adopted Lilly for several very important reasons. First of all, I wanted a pet of my own. Secondly, as the owner of City Dogs Boarding & Playcare, I wanted her to represent the pittie breed and to be an ambassador for my business. There are many prejudices held against the pit bull types and I hope she will help to dispel some of the myths which cause those beliefs. She is with me at work every day and is the most tolerant and lovable dog I’ve ever owned.
Favorite Place to Play: City Dogs, of course!
Favorite Treat: Lilly loves freeze dried buffalo lung.
Favorite Toy: She has a Kong that she loves filled with some peanut butter and she also likes to chase tennis balls.
Best Trick: Trick? Hmmmm… that would probably be the ability to sleep soundly while 20 dogs are wrestling and barking all around her.
Best Advice for Pet Owners: Socialize your dog!! Begin at an early age and take them to parks and on trails, and into stores that allow pets… anywhere they can meet people and other animals.
