Mochi And Nova

Nova and Mochi!

“I found Mochi on Petfinder. She was rescued from train tracks along with her siblings in Texas. A Texas-based rescue that re-homes dogs up in NYC drove her up to us. We found Nova last year on Instagram through a special done by The Dodo! Nova’s mom looks so much like Mochi; we instantly fell in love. The puppies were rescued by a police officer in Puerto Rico.”

Owner Samantha refers to her two pups as “the two cutest powdered donuts.” It’s easy to see why, because they’re certainly powdered donut-like: sweet, fluffy and dusty white. One pup’s name is Mochi. She's three years old, super friendly, gentle and very mellow. The other is Nova. She's an eight-month-old sassy wild child. 

Upon doing a DNA test, Samantha found out Mochi is 37.1% American Pit Bull Terrier, 26.2% Cane Corso, 10% Australian Cattle Dog, 7.9% Boxer, 5.9% Border Collie and 12.9% Supermutt. Samatha hasn’t done Nova’s DNA test yet, but the girls look very similar. 

No matter what mix of breeds they are, these two pups are 100% adorable and an unstoppable duo. 

Dog Whisperer: Describe the pups.

Samantha: Mochi has a great athletic figure; she runs very fast! Nova is also athletic, and is constantly jumping. She can reach above my nose when she jumps! It’s very impressive. When she does it outside, everyone is shocked at how high she can get!

DW: Tell us about yourself!  

S: I was born and raised in Manhattan. My father is from Washington Heights and my mother is from the Philippines. I have a younger sister who is a nurse, currently working on a COVID floor at NYU. The girls love her and go crazy when she comes home after her shift. I went to Hunter College and currently work for a staffing agency for nurses and physical therapists. 

Samantha and Mochi.

Samantha and Nova.

DW: How long have you had your pups? 

S: I’ve had Mochi since she was five months old and Nova since she was three months old. 

DW: Where did you first meet your pups and bring them home from? 

S: I found Mochi on Petfinder. She was rescued from train tracks along with her siblings in Texas. A Texas-based rescue that re-homes dogs up in NYC drove her up to us. We found Nova last year on Instagram through a special done by The Dodo! Nova’s mom looks so much like Mochi; we instantly fell in love. The puppies were rescued by a police officer in Puerto Rico. They were a litter of newborn puppies found in the mud. After the paperwork was completed, Nova was flown with her siblings from Puerto Rico up to us! 

Mochi glamour shot.

DW: What are your pups' favorite activities? 

S: Mochi loves to run around, especially on grass! She also loves to bathe in the sun. Mochi loves the beach and has her own life vest for swimming. Nova loves food — if something involves food, you can count her in. We are hoping to get Nova on the beach this summer too!

DW: What are your pups' favorite foods and snacks? 

S: Mochi loves ice cream! She’ll close her eyes and lick the container while I hold it. Sometimes I think she’ll fall asleep [ice cream drunk]. Mochi’s other favorite is cheese. Nova, on the other hand, loves chicken, eggs (even the shell) and pumpkin!

Nova glamour shot.

DW: Do they have any best friends? 

S: The girls have tons of friends but I’d say — above all — they are definitely each other's best friends. They love each other so much and are very protective. I love catching them sleeping on top of each other at home. It’s so sweet!

DW: What are some fun facts about your pup?

S: Everyone thinks they are related (sister-sister or mother-daughter) even though they aren’t. They are two very strong personalities, Mochi is sweet and gentle, while Nova is strong and rough! Mochi is affectionate and Nova needs to warm up to you first. After that, she may come sit by you on the couch. I sometimes laugh thinking about how they are polar opposites!

Follow Mochi and Nova on Instagram @mizz_mochi.

The Rescued Dog That Ended Up Rescuing His Owner

By Belinda Cai

When MacKenzie Robinson, 22, moved to Atlanta, she hit it off with Pete* and they quickly began dating. Being new in the city, Pete was her main social connection. They were happy at first, but after a few months of being together, things started taking a turn for the worse.

“When you date an alcoholic, it’s okay for a while — but then everything switches,” she says. “It was early last year when things started getting really bad and uncontrollable.”

They had serious conversations about how Pete needed to stop drinking. Nothing changed.

But then, everything did. MacKenzie found her soulmate: Morty, a one-and-a-half-year-old dachshund-beagle mix. 

“I rescued him from PAWS Atlanta,” she says. “They are a great rescue around here. I got him, and three weeks later, kicked out my ex and turned my life around.”

MacKenzie and Morty.

New priorities

MacKenzie says she was putting up with the abuse from Pete, at the time, because she wasn’t in a good place. When Morty entered the picture, she had a low-tolerance policy for any kind of mistreatment — especially when it came to Morty. 

“I rescued Morty,” she says. “My whole life and priorities changed. It’s like having a kid. I took on that priority so I could focus on Morty. If he couldn't come out with me, I wouldn't go because he was freshly rescued and had separation anxiety. He came from a really hard background.”

“I rescued Morty,” she says. “My whole life and priorities changed. It’s like having a kid. I took on that priority so I could focus on Morty. If he couldn’t come out with me, I wouldn’t go because he was freshly rescued and had separation anxiety. He came from a really hard background.””

Morty was abused in his last home. His previous owners had moved and left him in a cage for three weeks by himself. When PAWS found him, after someone called because they heard howling, he had a broken paw and both of his eyes were infected. 

“After I’d get off work, I’d want to go home right to my dog,” MacKenzie says. “I wanted to make it all about Morty, his training and making him comfortable. He needed a lot of time at first to learn how to be a dog.”

Pete didn’t like that MacKenzie's attention was focused on Morty. It made their relationship, which was already suffering, go even further downhill. 

“The person I was dating was jealous of a dog,” says MacKenzie.

She described how there was one night when Pete expressed he didn’t care whatsoever about Morty. MacKenzie already knew she had to leave and started to tolerate less and less of the abusive behavior.

“He brought a presence of negativity around the house and Morty could feel that,” she says. “He was never comfortable around Pete.”

A few weeks later, MacKenzie kicked Pete out of her home and started on her own road to recovery. She did it with Morty by her side.

“He’s like my best friend,” she says. “I literally look forward every single day to going home to him.”

For a while, she struggled to leave the house due to serious depression. 

“When you live in an apartment with a dog, you have to get up and walk and get those endorphins going,” she says. “He’s made me exercise. We also sleep together every single night.”

Morty being the cutie he is.

Love at first sight

When MacKenzie went to PAWS, she initially wanted an older dog, knowing it’s harder for them to get adopted. She walked several of them but nothing really clicked.

“I walked through the puppy room and there were so many puppies going crazy in their kennels,” she says. 

Morty had on a cone because he had just had eye surgery. He was sitting very calmly, unlike the other puppies, but was shaking ever so slightly.

“We made eye contact and I just knew,” she says.

“‘We made eye contact and I just knew,’ she says.”

MacKenzie took him for a walk and into another room, where Morty hopped up in her lap. 

“I originally couldn’t adopt him for two days because I had to clear it with my landlord,” she says. “I went back each of those days to make sure no one else was going to take him and we formed a bond. I adopted him that week.”

Morty needed a lot of training. MacKenzie put in the work. Both she and Morty have changed a lot since they initially met.

“When I really prioritized Morty, it made me stop going out to bars as much,” she explains. “It helped me get my life together. I’m way more comfortable being alone. When you’re in a low spot and you just have the cutest little guy there, just to love you, it really helps with your healing. It’s corny, but he rescued me.”

*name has been changed

Sheldon and Penny, Corgi Twins

“‘We call them our twins because we were literally up all night with crying puppies, potty training, teething, feeding and playing,’ she says. ‘Sheldon is your typical boy dog, meaning he’s all about playing. He’s loud and obnoxious and rough. Penny has a sweet demeanor. She’s loving, gives kisses and loves to snuggle.’”

Amy and Aaron Podell have two Corgis who are brother and sister. Their names are Sheldon and Penny, inspired by the couple’s favorite TV show, The Big Bang Theory. 

“We call them our twins because we were literally up all night with crying puppies, potty training, teething, feeding and playing,” she says. “Sheldon is your typical boy dog, meaning he’s all about playing. He’s loud and obnoxious and rough. Penny has a sweet demeanor. She’s loving, gives kisses and loves to snuggle.”

Amy with the Corgi twins!

Amy and Aaron with the Corgi twins.

Being a cat person most of her life, Amy didn’t expect to be such a passionate dog mama. When she met Aaron, she learned he had an extreme cat allergy. Co-owning cats was out of the question for the couple.

“Fast forward to us trying to start a family and the difficulties we encountered, including multiple miscarriages,” she says. “When I was at my lowest point, my husband surprised me with my first Corgi, Rupert. He knew I needed help with my depression.” 

Amy had an undeniable maternal need to love and care for a child; meeting Rupert was like a light switch going off. 

“The depression was gone and I felt like myself again,” Amy explains. “He filled that void. Shortly after and, to our surprise, we became pregnant with our son Harrison.” 

When Rupert passed away many years later, Amy was devastated. She never knew how a dog could bring them so much joy and love. 

“They truly are an extension of a family. That’s when my husband, being the awesome man that he is, surprised me with Sheldon and Penny,” she says. “I’d lost my first love, Rupert, and knew I had to be a Corgi mama again. I am so grateful for them and for my amazing husband and son.”

Dog Whisperer HQ: What are your Corgis’ favorite activities?
Amy: Our Corgis’ favorite activities are playing fetch and snuggling mama on the couch EVERY night. We can’t even say the word “play” around them or they’ll go crazy. We actually have to spell it. Even then I think they know what it means!

DW: What are their favorite snacks and foods?
A: They literally love to eat anything! However, if I had to choose, I’d say peanut butter and apples.

DW: How have your corgis grown (physically and personality-wise) since you got them?

A: Though they’re from the same litter, Sheldon is larger, around 35 pounds. Penny is a petite Corgi and about 29 pounds. Sheldon was always a large Corgi, though. He was actually the largest in his litter. Penny was a crazy puppy and very hyper. She’s mellowed out over the years. 

It was definitely a handful to raise the twins. We were exhausted and took turns caring and playing with them. We tried crate training and eventually succeeded in getting them to sleep in it. Looking back though, I wouldn’t change a thing. We both work full-time and I’m grateful the twins have each other. 

DW: Do you have any cute or touching stories to share about the corgis?

A: When the twins were four months old, we went to our first SoCal Corgi Beach Day in Huntington Beach. They were such an attraction that they made the local newspaper! That’s actually why I created their Instagram account. The rest is history.  

One last fun story. Sheldon is a celebrity! He was selected last year as the Corgi for Hill’s Science Diet small bites dog food. I’m blown away even to this day when I walk into the pet store and see his adorable face on the shelf. Proud mama! 

Sheldon being famous.

Check out the Corgi Twins’ Instagram @sheldonandpennycorgitwins.

Oliver, Penelope Lane And Margo

Hannah with her pups.

“‘My favorite things to do are listen to true crime podcasts, travel anywhere and everywhere, and gaze lovingly at my three dogs.’ Hannah is a board member and volunteer at Deity Animal Rescue, and has volunteered at local humane societies and donated to various rescue groups throughout her life.”

Hannah Strader is the ultimate dog mom, with three furbabies who she loves more than anything. She grew up in Wisconsin with two “super naughty” wirehaired fox terriers. They sparked her immense love for dogs — even though those dogs were ornery!

“The fox terriers were incredibly smart, but their behavior was just awful,” Hannah says. “We laugh about it all the time now, but I don’t think my parents found it super funny back then. I’ve had all sorts of dogs (and pets) in my family: a Rottweiler, Great Danes, my beloved chihuahua, and even some cats and hamsters thrown in throughout the years.” 

Hannah was born in Los Angeles, grew up in Wisconsin, went to school in Minnesota and moved back out to California in 2012. She wanted to be with family and in the warm weather... and she hasn’t looked back! ☀️

“Fast forward to now: I work and live in West Hollywood. My favorite things to do are listen to true crime podcasts, travel anywhere and everywhere, and gaze lovingly at my three dogs.”

Hannah is a board member and volunteer at Deity Animal Rescue, and has volunteered at local humane societies and donated to various rescue groups throughout her life.

Dog Whisperer: Tell us about your pups:

Hannah: Oliver, 12 (ish): I think he’s probably turning 13 at some point this year. I did a DNA test on him and, believe it or not, there is no corgi or doxie in there! Oliver is 25% chihuahua, 25% Lhasa Apso, 12.5% pekingese, 12.5% cocker spaniel, 12.5% American Staffordshire terrier (ha!) and 12.5% mega mutt. The best word to use to characterize my Ollie is “aloof.” He is along for the ride but would much rather be sleeping. He’s very confident but that is probably a result of his cluelessness. He’s so very, very, very sweet — a grumpy old man, but in a lovable way. 

Penelope Lane, 3 (ish): I did a DNA test on Pen as well. She is 50% shih-tzu, 25% Chihuahua and 25% Jack Russel terrier. I thought she’d be a mix of like 15 different terriers, but turns out she’s only 25% terrier! Penny is insanely smart, which I think she gets from her terrier ancestors. She is hilarious, with so much energy, but is also more than happy to curl up in your lap and sleep. She LOVES her toys, especially the llamas and lambs — she tears them to bits but still chooses to play with them over any others. Penny can be very sassy, but it's just because she cares! She is hysterical to watch as she plays; she definitely has a mind of her own. 

Margot, 5 (ish): Margot is probably a purebred chihuahua. She has that sweet little apple head and is way too tiny for me to assume her to be any other breed. Margot is a SASS. She is the second chihuahua I’ve ever adopted and I was so happy to find out she, just like Mollie before her, is not at all the ’stereotypical’ chihuahua. Margot loves people and other dogs, and thoroughly enjoys playing with Pen. She is pushy (but not overly so), and incredibly loving and snuggly. Margot is the type of dog who can jump right into a pack and it feels like she’s always been there. 

Margot, Oliver and Penelope.

DW: How long have you had your pups?

H: Oliver: since September 30, 2018; Penelope: since November 9, 2018; and Margot: since June 1, 2020.

DW: What is special about each of the dogs' breeds?

H: I love so much that Oliver is a shelter special. He cannot be categorized: he is truly an amalgam, and one that includes two very shelter-heavy breeds, pit bull and chihuahua. You can find traits of each of his breeds that apply to his personality: stubbornness, affection, loyalty, friendliness and being headstrong. He is the perfect mix!

Penelope is incredibly smart. She picks things up quickly, and is very observant. I am convinced she gets that from being a Russel terrier. She is super feisty and vocal, like a chihuahua, but is also incredibly weary of strangers and other dogs, much like her shih-tzu ancestors. 

Sweet Margot is a unique little dog. She doesn’t even weigh four pounds but has so much personality she could be a Great Dane. She is incredibly affectionate, always fighting to get on my lap. She is super playful and a crack-up to watch when she’s feeling active. 

I love that all of my dogs share that they have some chihuahua in them but they are all so unique in their own way!

DW: Tell us about the volunteer work you do:

H: Back in 2018 I knew I was ready to adopt another dog for my family. At the time, it was just myself and my 14-year old chihuahua, Mollie. After some searching, I found the dog I was looking for through a rescue based in Beverly Hills: Deity Animal Rescue. Throughout my life I have volunteered at local humane societies and donated to different rescue groups, but I was always looking for a more sustainable and meaningful way to give back; I just hadn’t found it yet. Once I met the two women who run Deity — Ellen and Lindsay — I knew this was what I had been looking for. 

I kept bugging them for volunteer opportunities and offering ways I could donate my time and skills to them until they just couldn’t get rid of me ☺️… In 2019, they offered me a seat on their board of directors and I thus began the journey of what has been one of my greatest joys. I currently help Deity in any way I can, whether that’s cleaning out and organizing our donated storefront, setting up events (my main job with them!), brainstorming fundraiser ideas, assisting with marketing and PR or fostering. I get to work my regular job and then, on the side, I get to help grow this amazing organization whose chief aim is to save dogs. It’s the coolest thing ever! 

“I currently help Deity in any way I can, whether that’s cleaning out and organizing our donated storefront, setting up events (my main job with them!), brainstorming fundraiser ideas, assisting with marketing and PR or fostering. I get to work my regular job and then, on the side, I get to help grow this amazing organization whose chief aim is to save dogs. It’s the coolest thing ever!”

Deity is a foster-based 501c3 non-profit dog rescue. It is women-owned and run, and a very small operation. Ellen and Lindsay are the boss ladies, and Amanda works to manage everything behind the scenes. We are a group of women taking over the world and saving dogs all over California!

DW: What are your pups' favorite activities?

H: Oliver just wants to sleep. He loves taking quick naps, long naps, short snoozes.. you name it. And he snores... loud. He loves to snuggle but only when he’s sleepy, and he really likes treats! He also has so much fun on walks, but because of his bad joints and arthritis, he goes very, very slowly so, lucky, Ollie gets to do most walks in his bright red stroller. What a treat! 

Penelope’s favorite thing of all time is playing. She loves when I play with her or when her sister Margot plays with her. She has a huge basket filled with toys but her favorites are her Christmas Llama, Roller Llama, Lamby and Shamrock Lamb. She has torn them all to pieces but still chooses them over any others! 

Penny loves going on walks when we go fast; slow walking is distracting for her and she tends to have trouble focusing. She is a great cuddler and really enjoys snuggling in bed with me. Margot loves to play with her sister; they have so much fun together. I’ve never seen anything like it! She is also such a love bug and is happiest in my lap, curled into a little cinnamon swirl. Margot is probably the best eater out of the bunch so she’s always thrilled to be enjoying a meal, and just like her siblings, she loves going on walks. 

DW: What are your pups' favorite foods and snacks?

H: Oliver is on a lot of different medications and gets to eat them with pieces of sliced turkey which he LOVES. He is very particular about what he eats which I think is so weird, seeing as to how he was a stray dog, but it is what it is. He also can never get enough water. Weird little guy.

Penny is fairly picky but not as bad as Ollie. She loves all of the different treats from Just Food for Dogs, especially their chicken jerky... She also loves to sneak some of Oliver’s turkey while I’m not looking. 

Margot is by far my best eater — she likes pretty much anything. Because she’s so small, she can usually weasel her way into whatever the other dogs have if they’re not eating fast enough, no matter what it is. She is an equal opportunity snacker. 

DW: What are some fun facts about your pups:

H: Penelope’s tongue is ALWAYS out! I have no idea why, truly. Sometimes if it's not out, she’ll sit there and stare at you... then stick it out. It is bizarre and adorable and one of my favorite things about her.

I call Oliver my problem child and refer to myself as a helicopter mom in general, but especially when it comes to him. In addition to the normal vet, he also has a dentist, cardiologist and physical therapist… He started physical therapy fairly recently and goes twice a week. He hates it, but I keep telling him it's for his own good! 

Margot came to me with scars all over! She has a big one on her head and one of her ears looks like it was bit into, there’s a notch of missing ear on the side. She’s also missing some hair, but I’m seeing it slowly start to grow so I’m confident that, with love and affection, she’ll really start to shine!

The first trick Penny Lane ever learned was “spin.” She stands up and spins in place- it's super cute. Once she realized that by doing that she gets a treat, she became a monster. Any time she wants literally anything she will run in front of you and start spinning. It's ridiculous.

Penelope loves to dance! If I start singing or dancing (or even just bouncing in place) she’ll jump up from wherever she is, run over in front of me, stand up with her tongue out and wave her arms in the air. It is one of the cutest and funniest things ever.

When Margot went in for her spay and dental surgery, they found a mammary tumor on her; likely a result of her having not been spayed before. She came out of that surgery missing one uterus, eight teeth and one nipple! All of that, and she doesn’t even weigh four pounds!

Penelope has an instagram- @thepenelope.lane

For more information on Deity Animal Rescue, check out their website and Instagram @deityanimalrescue. 

Bear, The Pit Bull Mix

FRONT Ben & Skylar BACK Bear & Winston.

“I was inspired by all of the wonderful pit bulls that Ben and I have personally come to know and, after being around them, Ben was absolutely smitten with the playful personalities and blocky heads.” 

Skylar Wells loves her goofy, fun-loving pit bull and boxer mix, Bear, who is almost two years old. He’s deaf, but his ears still move around actively like he’s listening for something. This doesn’t go unnoticed. 

“Bear’s beaming personality makes him a popular pup at the local vet,” she says. “Anytime he meets someone new, there’s sure to be a comment regarding ‘those ears!’”

Skylar and her partner Ben closed on their first home in April of last year and, within the first few weeks of home ownership, received a call from Adopt A Pit Rescue.

“Ben had been actively applying to several rescues in the hopes that we could find the perfect addition to our family and, after months of searching, we finally received a match,” she says. 

That match was Bear, who was then six months old and in need of a forever home. They went to meet Bear, introduced him to their orange Pomeranian Winston, and realized they wanted Bear to be a part of the family. 

In her senior year of college, Skylar did a capstone project that required a deep dive into researching the pit bull breed. She discovered that, oftentimes, requirements for the breed were not being met by families because they weren't educating themselves prior to adoption. This education is vital and, when properly trained, pit bulls are friendly, lovable dogs.  

“I was inspired by all of the wonderful pit bulls that Ben and I have personally come to know and, after being around them, Ben was absolutely smitten with the playful personalities and blocky heads.” 

What she learned through her capstone project reaffirmed her love for pit bulls. 

We spoke with Skylar about what it’s like raising a dog whose breed is often misunderstood, and what it’s like to take care of a deaf dog. 

Dog Whisperer: What are some special pit bull traits?

Skylar: Pit bulls and boxers both possess high energy levels, paired with a high demand for affection and socialization. Additionally, both breeds tend to be quite trainable. They have a strong desire to please.

DW: What special measures do you take when raising a deaf dog?

S: To most people’s surprise, the day-to-day of owning a deaf dog — once you get into the groove of things — really isn’t all that different from raising any other dog. The biggest difference is that we used a vibration collar. This trains Bear to react to the vibrations by returning to us, which helps us keep him safe when he’s gone too far away or is out of sight. It’s our way of “calling” him back.

Other than that, it’s really just about being mindful and patient with him. We use hand signals to ask him to do certain things. We give him commands like "no," "good boy," “sit,” “come,” “stay,” “release / let go,” and ask if he’s hungry. Additionally, we ensure that we educate people before letting them interact with Bear. We always let them know that he’s deaf, and encourage them to remain visible, so they don’t approach him from behind and scare him.  

DW: What is your advice to someone who is considering adopting a dog that is deaf?

S: Do a good amount of research before you commit to getting a deaf dog. Make sure you are positive you want to take on the added level of responsibility, on top of the already significant responsibility of owning a dog. Think about the dog's wellbeing. If you don't have time to dedicate to the dog, let him or her go to someone who does.

If you’re educated, patient, want to understand how to communicate with your dog, and have the time necessary to build a strong bond with the pup, you’re ready for a deaf dog.

DW: What are Bear’s favorite activities?

S: There’s no debate: Bear’s absolute favorite activity is eating. Breakfast and dinner are his two favorite parts of each day. When it’s time to be fed, he’ll let you know either with a couple of eager grunts or he’ll climb entirely in your lap after pacing around his bowl! Some of his favorite snacks include ice cubes, peanut butter and the occasional dog treat.

His other favorite activities include chasing a laser pointer with Winston, playing tug-of-war with Ben, taking naps on the couch with me and taking long off leash walks through our local nature trails.

DW: Does Bear have any best friends?

S: Bear’s best friend is Ben, but Winston is a close second. Bear also spends a lot of time with his cousin, Binx the Shnoodle, and his neighbor, Koda the Goldendoodle.

DW; What are some fun facts about your pup:

S: Bear can chase his tail in a circle infinitely without giving up or getting tired. Usually he stops only because he’s been distracted.

Bear absolutely LOVES watching television. If a character is moving aggressively towards the screen, he’ll even flinch as if it’s going to burst through the TV and get him. His current favorites are squirrel footage on YouTube and Game of Thrones. The dragon scenes really excite him.

Learn more about raising a deaf dog here.

Ollie, The Corgi

Sunny and Ollie.

“Ollie is probably what most consider a ‘velcro dog.’ Whenever we're at home, he will not leave our side. He is always wanting to be nearby and will follow us from room to room, even into the bathroom! He is happiest when everyone is in the same room, likely stemming from his herding dog instincts.”

Sunny Tao has a three-year-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi “of the fluffy variety” named Ollie, who she brought home at eight weeks old. Sunny’s always loved corgis, beginning with their cute and darling appearance. But it’s their personality that won her over.

“They are known to be very playful, and they're one of the most intelligent dog breeds, making them very trainable,” she says. “However, they also can be stubborn! They're notoriously vocal and express their emotions through a variety of sounds including barking, howling, whining and huffing.”

Sunny’s a physician in sub-specialty training in Pittsburgh. She is a frontline worker during the era of COVID (we thank you, Sunny!). She met her fiancé in medical school while in Pittsburgh and quickly converted him into a corgi lover too.  

“Ollie is loving and silly, and pretty much a bottomless food pit as he is always hungry!” she says. “Ollie never turns down any snacks or foods! I think he likes cheese the most. He is also a big raw broccoli, carrot and celery fan.”

Sunny, Ollie and her fiance.

We spoke with Sunny about her adorable pup and her love for corgis:

Dog Whisperer HQ: What’s a fun fact about corgis people may not know?

Sunny: People who don't know too much about corgis are always surprised to learn they are herding dogs; their low center of gravity and short legs allow them to be incredibly agile and surprisingly athletic.

DW: Where did you first meet your pup and bring him home from? 

S: We met Ollie through a veterinarian and her husband, who’s a farmer, in western Ohio. Their family had two Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and the two had a litter of both fluffy and normal coat corgi puppies.

DW: What is your relationship with Ollie like? 

S: Ollie is probably what most consider a "velcro dog." Whenever we're at home, he will not leave our side. He is always wanting to be nearby and will follow us from room to room, even into the bathroom! He is happiest when everyone is in the same room, likely stemming from his herding dog instincts. Ollie prefers not to spend a minute apart from my fiancé and me, and sleeps in bed with us too.

DW: What are Ollie’s favorite activities? 

S: Ollie loves hiking new trails and discovering and sniffing new things. He also likes a good round of fetch. However, I think his absolute favorite activity — if given the choice — is to eat. Obviously, we have to keep a regimented diet and make a conscious effort to limit treats and snacks to prevent him from becoming overweight (which corgis are prone to).

DW: Does Ollie have a best friend? 

S: Ollie is always curious about other dogs, but he generally prefers interacting with humans if given the chance! His best friend is anyone new he meets on the street. Bonus points if they have snacks. ;) 

Follow Ollie on IG @olliethecorgipup.

Penny, The Newfoundland

Penny and Lauren being fancy.

“Flash forward to today, and Penny is now four years old and quite the socialite, as described by Lauren. Naturally, the two are inseparable and enjoy many fun hobbies together. An offbeat (and very delicious) one is creating charcuterie boards. Lauren assembles them and Penny is the designated taste tester.”

Lauren Barker, 25, first met her pup Penny at her grandma’s house when Penny was just four months old. Throughout Lauren’s childhood, her grandmother was an AKC breeder of Newfoundlands. Lauren was always around them, and this sparked her love for the breed. When she wanted one of her own, her grandma connected her with a reputable breeder. 

Flash forward to today, and Penny is now four years old and quite the socialite, as described by Lauren. Naturally, the two are inseparable and enjoy many fun hobbies together. An offbeat (and very delicious) one is creating charcuterie boards. Lauren assembles them and Penny is the designated taste tester.

Dog Whisperer HQ: Describe Penny’s personality.

Lauren: Penny is gentle, goofy, intuitive and — above all things — loving. She radiates warmth to every creature who crosses her path. Penny loves going out on the town (she’s a socialite after all), but is also just as happy to spend the day napping.                                          

DW: What are Penny’s favorite activities?

L: So again, Penny loves sleeping... sometimes up to 16 hours a day. She also enjoys patiently watching me cook, stopping to sniff every flower while on hikes, and venturing to various restaurants and breweries. 

Penny posing.

DW: Charcuterie delicacies included, what are Penny’s favorite foods? 

L: Penny’s favorite food is cheese, followed closely by eggs and chicken. She also loves yogurt and eats a dollop of it for breakfast every morning. 

DW: Does Penny have any best friends? 

L: Yes, my cat Lily. My friends have joked that Penny is my pet and Lily is Penny’s pet, because Penny’s so attentive to her. They snuggle and play together and — whenever Lily is in distress — Penny is the first to rush to her side. Every time Penny and I go for a walk, I can hear Lily crying from the window until we return. They are absolutely inseparable. 

Dog mama and (large) dog baby.

DW: What are some fun facts about Penny?                

L: Let’s see…

•  Penny is quite the cheese snob and refuses to eat sliced American cheese.                                

•  While her breed is supposed to love water, she hates baths and is terrified of rain.                     

•  She is trained to pose for pictures on command when I say “Penny, pose!”                                       

•  She likes to hold hands when she needs comfort and will reach out her paw for me to grab onto. 

Follow Lauren and Penny on Instagram @ceelobarker.

Bean, The Pug

Bean and Gaby.

“‘Bean loves to chew on squeaky toys and water bottles,’ says Gaby. ‘He loves to jump on top of the couch to be able to push the curtain open so he can see when someone is pulling into the driveway. Whenever you lay on the couch, he likes to cuddle, especially with his Tia (Aunt) Nadia.’”

Comedian Gaby Sandoval thinks she sounds typical on paper. She loves coffee, painting and cooking. But she’s also constantly performing and putting her creativity to use; sometimes that includes poking fun at people (in endearing ways). But the most important thing she wants you to know about her is that she loves her family, including her son Bean, an adorable black pug.

“Bean was the runt of the litter,” Gaby says. “He's six years old now, and even though he walks like a gawky teen, he's actually an alpha and suffers from major FOMO so he’s very hyper. He wants to stay awake and be with the cool kids.”

Bean IS a cool kid.

Gaby has had Bean since he was four months old. After work one day, she and her mother drove to New Jersey to meet a breeder. The breeder had three black pugs, and one of those babies was Bean. 

“Bean loves to chew on squeaky toys and water bottles,” says Gaby. “He loves to jump on top of the couch to be able to push the curtain open so he can see when someone is pulling into the driveway. Whenever you lay on the couch, he likes to cuddle, especially with his Tia (Aunt) Nadia.”

You can also find him in the backyard with his Uncle Samuel listening to his guitar weeping. During the day, Bean’s usually playfully seeking Gaby’s sister Patty's attention while she works. But his favorite activity is waiting in the kitchen and praying that food falls on the floor. 

Please, food, come to me!

“I love giving him a piece of any fruit I'm eating (not the dangerous ones, don’t worry) — he's a fan! And he loves peanut butter, of course!” Gaby says. “And for his birthdays, a doggie rendition of Banana Pudding and Whipped Cream is his all-time favorite!”

Gaby says Bean has the cutest yawns and, when he's dreaming, he barks with his mouth closed. Just take a look below. 

He's also a muse! Gaby’s gotten a tattoo of Bean, and her brother was inspired by Bean to write a song that's featured on his album. 

Gaby's tattoo of Bean.

“At the end of the day, Bean is so loving and pure,” says Gaby. “He's got a lot of chutzpah and has brought immense happiness to me and my family.”

You can follow Gaby and Bean on Instagram @mrgabysandoval.

Here are some more adorable photos and a video montage of Bean. Enjoy!

Franklin, The Chiweenie

Franklin and Breena (from Breena's IG: @breenaylaya)

“Honestly, when I first got him, I had no clue how scared he was of other people, because he chose me at the shelter. He was nothing but sweet to me. Since then, he has learned so many tricks. For example: speak, whisper, paw, bow, spin and beg. Every day he does something that makes me glad I adopted him.”

When Breena Ylaya first adopted Franklin a year and a half ago, at six months old, he didn’t know how to play with toys or do any tricks. He would bite Breena’s toes to wake her up, and even tried biting her hair from time to time. While it wasn’t pleasant, Breena knew it meant he loved her — he just didn’t know how to show it in the right ways.

Flash forward to today, and he (thankfully) doesn’t bite Breena’s feet or hair anymore. Breena says he was never the “kissy dog” at first but now he totally is, and shows his love constantly. He’s learned tricks galore and even how to speak on command. Breena calls him her “best friend in the smallest package.”

Dog Whisperer HQ: Tell us a little about Franklin.

Breena: Franklin is a two-year-old Chiweenie: a Chihuahua-Dachshund mix. He’s timid around humans and warms up slowly, but he loves me and my man. He also loves other dogs. 

DW: How did Franklin get his name?

B: Franklin actually had that name at the animal shelter, but when I officially adopted him, I kept it. I'm from a township called Franklin and it made sense. Also, I'm a 90s baby and watched a show called “Franklin” (the turtle). He had to get neutered before I could pick him up, so the Franklin theme song kept playing in my head every night as I wondered when he would finally be ready for his forever home. "Hey it’s Franklin, coming over to your house." 

DW: So Franklin used to have a bit of a biting problem. Can you talk about that?

B: I think it was just a puppy thing. We got him at six months from the Humane Society. He would nibble on our toes to wake us up because he didn’t know how else to tell us he had to go potty. It was surprising that he would even alert us to take him to the backyard door. 

Franklin being cute!

DW: How has Franklin changed and improved his behavior over time?

B: Franklin has changed so much. Honestly, when I first got him, I had no clue how scared he was of other people, because he chose me at the shelter. He was nothing but sweet to me. Since then, he has learned so many tricks. For example: speak, whisper, paw, bow, spin and beg. He’s so loving and demands attention when I'm on my phones sometimes; he will just stare at me. Every day he does something that makes me glad I adopted him. 

DW: You mentioned you and Franklin cuddle and he kisses you. Can you talk about the sweet moments you two share together?

B: Last year I went to the Philippines for a whole month, and when I came back, he cuddled into my armpit, and fell asleep smiling. He’s such a beautiful loving chiweenie doggy. I can always count on him to brighten my day. He is a funny dog too — he was actually on America’s Funniest Home Videos. Overall, I just love how active he keeps me. We love running, going to dog parks and going on walks. He also goes to a lot of tea spots with me and just likes to chill out. He’s a smart dog and I'm so happy I adopted him. I can’t imagine my life without him. 

Check out Franklin’s Instagram @heyfwanklin.



Yogi, The Pomeranian

Maria and Yogi.

“‘Yogi is a huge part of my life,” [Maria] says. ‘If you know me you probably know Yogi just as well. He’s a constant companion and pal.’”

Yogi, a seven-year-old Pomeranian, loves people and cuddles. He may be small but he’s totally sassy and fierce, especially around larger dogs (a funny sight to behold). His owner, Maria Johnson, a 25-years-old vintage collector and seller, cannot imagine life without Yogi. 

“Yogi is a huge part of my life,” she says. “If you know me you probably know Yogi just as well. He’s a constant companion and pal.”

Read more about this photogenic duo who does everything together:

Dog Whisperer HQ: How long have you had your pup and what is your bond like?

Maria: I’ve had Yogi since he was a few weeks old. We are together all the time. He’s my only roommate so he’s spoiled with attention. If I am doing something, he’s right by me. He has separation anxiety, so if he can’t see me, he gets upset.

DW: What do you two like to do together?

M: We take a lot of walks and hikes, go to boat docks to feed ducks, and — in the summer — I’ll take him on boat rides and canoeing. I take him anywhere I’m allowed to!

DW: Where did you first meet Yogi?

M: When I was 18, I went to pet puppies in Indiana after one of my college classes. Yogi was the runt and had to bunny hop over grass. I was trying to pet other dogs, but he kept following me around. I knew I had to take him home right then.

DW: What are Yogi’s favorite activities?

M: Yogi loves running around and tugging on stuffed animals. He pretty much loves any activity that allows him to interact with people.

DW: What are Yogi’s favorite foods and snacks?

M: Pupperoni is his favorite dog treat, but Yogi loves any human food he can get his paws on. 🐾

DW: Does Yogi have any best friends?

M: He has a small girl Yorkie friend named Sophie. But usually Yogi gets along better with cats and other small mammals than dogs.

DW: What are some fun facts about Yogi?

M: He loves dog clothes! Whenever I pull outfits out of his clothes bin, he spins and barks. He also has a dog papoose (carrier) he loves to get into. 

Follow Maria and Yogi on Instagram @atomicsnob.

Maya, Nori And Jethro (Spitz Trio)

Jethro, Maya and Nori.

“‘I have three wonderful dogs: Maya, a three-year-old Red Siberian Husky who is VERY SASSY, very smart and everyone’s best friend; Nori, a five-year-old Shiba Inu puppy mill mom survivor and the sweetest little girl; and Jethro, a two-year-old Siberian Husky who is absolutely obsessed with and in love with all people!’ she says.”

Rochelle Theriault is a huge animal advocate. Living in Columbus, Ohio, she is actively involved in animal rescue and volunteering, and has been involved for the past 11 years. Rochelle also has a popular Instagram account, Maya the Woof, which features Maya and two other dogs. She tries to use her social platforms to educate as much as possible. 

“I have three wonderful dogs: Maya, a three-year-old Red Siberian Husky who is VERY SASSY, very smart and everyone’s best friend; Nori, a five-year-old Shiba Inu puppy mill mom survivor and the sweetest little girl; and Jethro, a two-year-old Siberian Husky who is absolutely obsessed with and in love with all people!” she says.

Find out more about this dynamic trio in our interview with Rochelle!

Rochelle and Maya.

Dog Whisperer HQ: Where did you first meet the pups and bring them home from?

Rochelle: My boyfriend and I had started discussing getting a dog a few years ago. At this time, I was still new to the area and wasn’t involved in rescue work yet. I was browsing the internet when I came across an ad for this beautiful husky being rehomed because she was “too much.” For us, she was the perfect amount of “much” for our lives. We met Nori and Jethro through the wonderful organization I became involved in shortly after we got Maya, called Stop the Suffering Animal Rescue of Central Ohio.

DW: How long have you had the pups?

R: We got Maya in October of 2016. She was bought and re-homed two weeks later. Fast forward four years, and she has become my best, best friend. We got Jethro in February of 2019. He had been dumped at a pound at seven months. He bounced from foster to foster, and was adopted and returned twice. Little did we know, he would never be leaving our home! We got Nori in May of 2019. Jethro had gone away to a month-long training, so we committed to fostering this little tiny Shiba Inu who was rescued from a puppy mill situation. She had been used and abused but once we got our hands on her, fortunately never ended up leaving our home. 😊

DW: What are the pups' favorite activities?

R: Maya could play tug-of-war all day long and never get tired. Tug-of-war is her game. If she isn’t playing it, she is probably mastering some dog puzzle game. She is the smartest creature alive. Nori, when she isn’t cleaning her paws, is the guard dog of our house. She always has her eyes and ear peeled. When the humans aren’t looking, she is probably instigating some sort of play with her best friend, Maya. Jethro is probably sleeping somewhere on his back or asking for head scratches in someone's lap.

Maya, Rochelle and Nori.

DW: What are their favorite foods and snacks?

R: Maya has a grain allergy so we have to watch what she eats. Anything that BarkBox sends her monthly she loves. She knows when her box comes each month that it's her “mail day!” She gets so excited. Jethro will literally eat anything you put in front of his face. Nori is super easygoing, but she is the only one who has a special treat she likes: CHEETOS!

DW: Do they have any best friends?

R: Maya is Nori’s best friend. Nori wouldn’t have made half of the progress she has today if not for Maya's ability to see the beauty in everything. Jethro loves me, his mom. He and Maya get along so well, but at the end of the day, he would much rather just lay with me. Before we got our other two dogs, we took Maya to doggy daycare religiously. Her best friend there was a deaf dog, and whenever we’d pick her up on the days they were both there, the stories about the sounds and playfulness they’d make were highly comical... As of now, our home is basically the doggy daycare. And between her brother and sister, she has no favorites — she likes everything and everyone. When we get visitors, though, they are probably her best friends. She LOVES new people. 

DW: What's it like taking care of three dogs?

R: It's constantly wondering if you will ever go a day without dog hair in your mouth or eyes, but not wanting life to be any different. We are capped at three… So no more dogs. But it brings us so much joy. Three dogs that fall in the same breed category (spitz) that come from such different backgrounds, all failed by society but given a chance to live... It's beautiful.

DW: How do they all get along with each other?

R: Incredibly well. Maya has never had issues with dogs, so she has always been inviting to us fostering and rescuing dogs. Jethro can be a tricky one. He was abused and abandoned so had some initial issues. While he was away at training, we fostered Nori, who we ended up keeping. Maya is Nori’s all-star — there is no one in her life she idolizes more than Maya, so she only plays with Maya, but doesn’t mind Jethro. It’s a relief because Jethro is so goofy and floppy, being a victim of bad breeding. He is not proportionate, and just flails all over the place. Maya, elegant Maya, stands out of his way. Her agility allows her to avoid getting smacked by him at times, and Nori, still trying to figure life out, just rolls with the punches. She is entirely unfazed by him and we are so grateful for her patience.

DW: What's an important message to share to dog owners and prospective dog owners:

R: These dogs are incredibly beautiful, funny and beyond a pleasure to have. But please, do the research before getting the breed. I am cleaning up the mess of three dogs failed by those who couldn’t commit to them. They aren’t easy dogs — they are working dogs. They need a job and, unless you know what that means, I highly suggest exploring other breeds. Your entire lifestyle needs to change when you commit to a breed such as a Shiba Inu or a Siberian Husky. They thrive on a structured lifestyle. But if it is something you are willing to take on, by all means, I highly encourage you do it. Having these two breeds in my life is the most incredible experience. 

Follow Maya the Woof on Instagram @mayathewoof.

Olive, The Labrador

By Labrador Olive (with help from Josh Gottsegen)

“My owner Josh is my best friend in the whole world. I've known Josh and [his brother] Alex since I was a puppy. I may not have been the easiest to handle when I was young — I barked, squeaked and cried for attention. BUT Josh was very calm and assertive so, eventually, I listened to him.”

Hello, everyone! My name is Olive. I'm eight years old, but in human years, that would make me 56. That may seem old but, trust me, I've got the energy of a 20-year-old. I'm a labrador retriever who loves to sleep in a new position each night, take lots of naps and play fetch ALL the time. My favorite food is peanut butter, but tennis balls are my jam (I don't actually eat them, silly). 

My owner Josh is my best friend in the whole world. I like to move my head away when he tries to kiss me, but it's our thing. I also love Josh's brother, Alex. He's also my best friend and takes me on longer walks than Josh. YOU HEAR THAT, JOSH!? :) I've known Josh and Alex since I was a puppy. I may not have been the easiest to handle when I was young — I barked, squeaked and cried for attention. BUT Josh was very calm and assertive so, eventually, I listened to him. 

Do you like my outfit?

Josh thinks he's an official Dog Whisperer, and, as a dog, I give him credit. Apparently, it was important for him to establish "rules, boundaries and limitations," whatever that means. I listened, behaved and GOT TREATS, BABY! I know so many tricks to get treats, from speaking to spinning around! I even crossed my eyes for a viral YouTube video (Josh promised me not to tell anyone if it's real or fake. hehe). 

I also have more YouTube videos that collectively have almost a million views! I'm kind of famous ;) Below are some more fun links. One even has Josh playing the flute THAT I WANT TO DESTROY!

My best friends are Penny and Kona. They are my sisters from Josh's parents. Penny is so funny and goofy — she's a golden retriever. Kona is a wise, older lady who doesn't like to play much, but she's really funny and smells lovely. 

At the end of the day, I give Josh and Alex all my love. Josh has been working on a new book called The Adventures of Rockford T. Honeypot. It’s about a chipmunk’s epic adventure story and, when he reads it, I want to chase that chipmunk down! But I control myself and just bark at them outside. Josh’s instagram is @lejoosh. Follow me on Instagram @labrador_olive!

Here are more YouTube links, I'm kind of a big deal! Subscribe for more content. :) 

The Golden Lab Whose Loving Spirit Lives On Through Hurley’s Halo

By Belinda Cai

Stephanie and baby Hurley.

“‘I grew into who I am today with and because of her,’ Stephanie says. ‘Hurley figuratively stuck by my side through break ups, a cross-country move and everything in between.’”

Hurley, a yellow Labrador, entered Stephanie Kurtz’ life when she was 24-years-old and beginning to navigate the many challenges of adult life.

“I grew into who I am today with and because of her,” Stephanie says. “Hurley figuratively stuck by my side through break ups, a cross-country move and everything in between.”

Stephanie's dog and best friend also literally stuck by her side four years later, when she had to undergo multiple spine surgeries and procedures as a result of being hit head-on by a drunk driver.

“Hurley would lay next to me while I healed and was by far the best nurse I've ever had,” Stephanie says.

Hurley suddenly passed away around Christmas of 2018. Stephanie was devastated, but channeled her sadness into something altruistic: Hurley’s Halos. It’s a fostering initiative to honor Hurley’s life — and a way for her beautiful spirit to live on.

Dog Whisperer HQ: Tell us a little about Hurley.

Stephanie: Hurley was a yellow lab that loved life more than anyone I know! She was genuinely excited to see old friends and new, often greeting people with her signature "Hurley Shake.” She would wiggle with such excitement that her tail must have hit her nose! During her 13 years of life, she made everyone that came in contact with her smile. She loved the dog beach, dog park, the couch, pizza crust, pillows, Santa, cuddling and people. She hated baby carrots, squirrels, hardwood floors, car rides and not being next to me. She was so eyebrow expressive and ear-to-ear smiled often! She was gentle, silly, loyal, sensitive and by far the best dog to live (some may call me biased).

“Hurley was a yellow lab that loved life more than anyone I know! She was genuinely excited to see old friends and new, often greeting people with her signature “Hurley Shake.” She would wiggle with such excitement that her tail must have hit her nose! During her 13 years of life, she made everyone that came in contact with her smile. ”

DW: What was your bond with Hurley like?

S: Until her passing, there was no me without her. I would take her everywhere I could and spend as much time as possible with her. She always had to be touching me, whether that meant resting her head on my feet while I worked at the computer or placing her paw on my leg even if we were lounging on the couch. When I would leave the house for 30 seconds to get the mail, I would be greeted with the greatest celebration when I walked back in, as if I'd been gone for weeks. No one has ever been so excited to see me! Her love was unconditional, and so was mine.   

Hurley with foster animals.

DW: You were fostering other animals. How did Hurley interact with them?

S: Since Hurley loved every animal she met, we knew she'd be a great foster sister and we were spot-on. She was so tolerant of every dog or kitten that we brought home. From her accepting our first foster (Kiska, a Husky/Shepherd mix) laying next to her and eating her food... to allowing pit-mix Brownie to actually lay ON her... to loving the four-week-old tabby kittens (TJ, Rocky and Benji) actually swinging from her tail... she never ceased to amaze with her gentle spirit and welcoming nature. Hurley was especially receptive and protective of the kittens. So much so, that when we "foster failed" (aka, adopted our fosters) with TJ and Rocky, their bond just grew exponentially.   

DW: Tell us about Hurley's Halos.

S: When Hurley suddenly passed around Christmas of 2018, my world was torn apart. My best friend was gone. As a way to channel the grief and have her beautiful legacy live on, I began a fostering initiative in February 2019 called Hurley's Halos, where I intend to foster 13 fluffs in honor of Hurley's brief 13 years on Earth. I have documented the journey on the @hurleyshalos Instagram page. In just eleven months, 11 "Halos" have been fostered (and adopted!). The page has also been a resource to share other adoptable animals and even raised funds for a special kitten's surgery (Fig, the unofficial Halo!).

A happy Hurley.

DW: How do you feel Hurley's legacy lives on?

S: Not only does Hurley's name and image live on through the initiative, but so does her gentle, loving spirit. In a strange way, it was her passing that has allowed us to help rescue more animals than we could have imagined. I know that she is ear-to-ear smiling down upon us because of this — while doing the "Hurley Shake," of course!   

Check out Hurley’s Halos on Instagram @hurleyshalos.

The Wild Dog That Wasn’t

By Kelly Gorman Dunbar

A few months ago, as I was perusing Facebook, I realized I’d been tagged in a post from a local humane society. A click took me to a photo of a creature that looked like the love child of a werewolf and The Swamp Thing.

She was straining at the end of a leash, standing upright, rearing up on her back feet, tail swishing, mucky front paws sticking out in front of her mimicking the posture of a t-rex. The photo had captured her head mid-thrash, mouth open, showing off her sharp pointy teeth. Without even reading any further I immediately realized why I had been alerted to this particular post. She was beautiful, potentially tragic, and I fell in love instantly.

Found roaming in the rural countryside, this swampy werewolf had just been admitted to a small, private shelter with few resources. With one glance, I knew she’d be in trouble if she stayed there even a week. She was a high octane breed of the very same kind as my two boys, Laz and Mars. My Facebook friends were hoping I’d step up to help this swamp monster, and the poor unsuspecting shelter she’d landed in.

The shelter had taken to calling the swamp wolf Gator and upon meeting her a few days later, it was apparent why. Tigger would have suited her just as well; that girl had more bounce than a kangaroo on a trampoline! She’d jump, lunge, snap! With each effortless leap, she’d be at eye level, her teeth gnashing right in my face. She’d grab anything she could get a hold of and tug or hang from the object mercilessly. Pulling toys out of people’s hands, grabbing jacket sleeves, leashes hanging on the fence, nothing was safe.

Walking her was quite a feat. She’d strain to the end of her leash and dig in, facing forward, towing her walker like a sled dog. If we were unfortunate enough to encounter another dog, which happened many times since we were in a shelter, then things really got out of control! Gator would become laser-focused on the animal in front of her, cat or dog, and bark incessantly, pacing and pulling at the end of her lead like a wild animal. There was no redirecting her, no distracting her, no calming her down. She’d either have to be dragged away or we’d have to wait it out until the animal was out of sight.

Some of the behavior Gator exhibited was breed specific and very familiar to me. Other behaviors Gator favored were a bit intense and it was difficult at first glance to tell whether her fits were all frustration and unbridled energy, or whether her actions were laced with aggression. Regardless, for sure, none of this unruly conduct was going to improve in the animal shelter and she was already getting a reputation there as a wild one. The shelter thought she might be a bite risk and was likely dog aggressive and predatory towards small animals. Would she perhaps also be dangerous to children? They weren’t going to be able to confidently showcase her or adopt her out.

So I took her home. I told the shelter my adoption would not be permanent. I would assess, train, and then place Gator in an appropriate, qualified, committed home. That day she hopped in my car, growled at my dog in the kennel next to hers, and off we went. A new beginning deserves a new name, and Nox was born.

“Once I removed her from the chaotic shelter environment, I could assess, test, and observe Nox in peace. It quickly became clear to me that Nox was not the swamp monster/werewolf cross she appeared to be. In fact, she didn’t have an aggressive bone in her body. Once she began to decompress from the stress of her at-large adventure and stay in the big house, her playful, affectionate side began to come out. ”

Once I removed her from the chaotic shelter environment, I could assess, test, and observe Nox in peace. It quickly became clear to me that Nox was not the swamp monster/werewolf cross she appeared to be. In fact, she didn’t have an aggressive bone in her body. Once she began to decompress from the stress of her at-large adventure and stay in the big house, her playful, affectionate side began to come out. When handled, she melted like butter. She’d flop over for belly rubs from anyone willing and loved to sit quietly in my living room, chewing on a bone or chew toy. She loved to play fetch, but was pretty terrible at catch and it occurred to me that probably nobody had ever played that game with her before. The intensity she initially showed when in the presence of other animals started to mellow out once she wasn’t dealing with the constant barrier frustration of kennel fences and shelter induced over stimulation. Her demeanor around dogs and their subsequent responses to her actions informed me that most likely, Nox was not even a year old. It also appeared that no one had ever bothered to train her. She didn’t seem to even understand a basic “sit” request and I tried in several different languages. She certainly did not understand how to walk on a leash politely.

All of these shortcomings, her lack of experience, training, and impulse control (pretty common in an adolescent dog) coupled with the vigor of her breed and the chaos of the shelter made her seem a monster. In actuality, she was no were-creature, just misunderstood. However, yes, left unchecked she could have been a monster in the making. She was a pressure cooker with no steam valve. Without directed release, she’d have eventually blown up.

Thankfully, training and enrichment act as a perfect means of controlled guidance and release.

Nox transformed from a beast of a dog into the best dog. I helped her find her new forever human, and they’re nearly inseparable. Together they go to work, travel, ride ferry boats, sail the bay, eat at cafes, go to parties and cuddle at night. It’s a true love story.

Before finding her new owner, Nox stayed with me for three months and loved her lessons. She became the star in a YouTube video series where I documented her progress, training her in real time, so people could watch her learning process. We made the video series as a team, in honor of all the misunderstood teenage delinquent and under-educated shelter dogs out there. Dogs like Nox are just struggling to understand how to get along with us humans so we’ll love, feed, and play with them. They’re just waiting to find a home to call their own.

Many a misunderstood dog is punished, abandoned, labeled dangerous or dominant when really all they are is untrained. Training gives dogs a guidebook for how to act in the foreign land of human desire and expectations. Training provides a common language for two different species to communicate clearly and live harmoniously. Training turns the wild beast into a best friend.

Watch all the “Nox” real-time training videos on Kelly’s YouTube Channel, The Dunbar Diaries

The Right One Will Come Along: Frannie’s Story

By Melissa Jo Peltier

“After going everywhere, from NYC animal control to dog adoption days, a wonderful woman named Cece from ‘Tails of Love’ rescue said, ‘You guys would be perfect for Frannie. She’s a very special dog I won’t let go to just anyone.’”

We were ready. Our beautiful Millennial was out of college and on her own, and my husband and I weren’t traveling as much as we used to for our jobs. We’d finally be able to adopt a dog.

We ended up looking for over 3 months. First, we sat down and wrote out honestly what kind of energy would work with our lifestyle: a medium-small, medium energy dog that would be easy to travel with. That meant the dog couldn’t be aggressive with other dogs or people; neither of us had the time to work on issues that serious. Other problems, we could and were willing to handle.

After going everywhere, from NYC animal control to dog adoption days, a wonderful woman named Cece from “Tails of Love” rescue said, “You guys would be perfect for Frannie. She’s a very special dog I won’t let go to just anyone.” Frannie, – about 3 years old and some kind of herding dog/pit mix – had been pulled from a 72 hour kill shelter in Georgia and brought up north with a group of other dogs. Cece sent us video of Frannie who looked wonderful, but at 52 pounds of solid muscle, we thought she’d be too big.

Cece brought her over anyway. When I met her and took her for a walk down our street, her expressive eyes looked up at me for direction, and once inside our house, she again looked at me for permission to explore. She took treats so gently, you’d think she was accepting them with her lips. When she leaned on me and looked up wistfully into my eyes, I was won over. I asked Cece how this extraordinary dog could’ve been in foster care for a year. She said Frannie had some issues that turned people off. She looked too much like a pit bull to some people, who believed the myths about them. Her foster parents said she was notoriously unreliable off-leash – bolting chasing after any nearby critter for miles. She was also skittish around loud noises and crowds, and absolutely refused to get into a car. She’d plant, pant and shake like a leaf. No one wanted a 52 pound dog they’d have to lift in and out every time they wanted to go somewhere.

My time on Dog Whisperer had taught me that those were problems I could fix. But when Frannie met my husband, he said “I just don’t connect with her.” He took her impeccable Southern manners to be stand-offishness.   We agreed we both had to be thrilled with whatever dog we chose. But over the next weeks as we continued our search, I actually had two vivid dreams about Frannie. In the dreams, she was begging me with her eyes to bring her home.

“After a month more of looking, I tentatively suggested to my husband that we take Frannie for a weekend. He agreed, and Frannie’s foster parents brought her to our house with her crate, her bed and some favorite toys. Fifteen minutes in, Frannie leaned her head on my husband’s shoulder. He turned around and said to me, ‘This is our dog!’ The day was January 9, 2015. Frannie never went back.”

After a month more of looking, I tentatively suggested to my husband that we take Frannie for a weekend. He agreed, and Frannie’s foster parents brought her to our house with her crate, her bed and some favorite toys. Fifteen minutes in, Frannie leaned her head on my husband’s shoulder. He turned around and said to me, “This is our dog!” The day was January 9, 2015. Frannie never went back.

I was able to fix the car problem within about two months, and I immediately started practicing with her off-leash on 3 mile walks around a local lake – three minutes on, three minutes off, gradually increasing the durations until she understood that off-leash means staying with us at all times. I have video of her walking off-leash, right next to taunting squirrels on St. Patrick’s day 2016. It’s taken me nearly two years to get her to the point where she won’t sprint after the many deer in our woods-surrounded neighborhood. I put a GPS on her collar for the inevitable times she’d make mistakes, and practiced in the woods constantly. Frannie is like a teacher’s pet who never wants to get the answer wrong, so a stern voice and a command to sit and make eye contact did the trick over time. Just today, two separate herds of deer ran just behind our yard, and I saw Frannie start to get excited. By using a stern “Uh uh uh!” – and calling her to look at me, I watched her relax and wait until they were out of sight. Then we resumed our walk, with me praising her to the heavens. She always walks proudly when she’s accomplished something big.

As for her skittishness, Frannie now goes to every possible dog-friendly place with us. We go to the doctors’, the chiropractor, boutiques, Lowes, the Mac store; we’ve been to hotels, motels and on a plane; and in good weather we lounge around at outdoor cafés and restaurants. She can trot through crowded Times Square without flinching and has even been sailing and to a drive-in. It’s all built on trust. Everyone who meets her remarks on her gentle, loving nature and calm energy. She’s got an amazing nose on her – her DNA says she’s about 10% rat terrier (also about 37% pit bull, 33% border collie) — so I decided train her as a medic alert dog my life-threatening nut allergies. Working with a close friend who has trained hundreds of seeing eye and other service dogs, we’ve got her about 2/3 of the way there. She’s proven she can do it, but needs to be more consistent.

I often think my prescient dreams of Frannie make this truly a tale pre-ordained love. It’s worth any wait to find your perfect dog, even if you have to say no to some winsome faces along the way.

Maxwell’s Journey Home Part II

By Kay Sumner

“Max continued to outclass the ‘breed standard’ by packing away the groceries. A mere 5 months after adoption, he was weighing in at 115 pounds. Our denial was strong.  We kept telling each other we just had a very ‘special’ Bouvier.”

I guess it was just plain denial, the kind when you don’t really want to accept that you might be wrong about something.  Could our newly adopted Bouvier Des Flandres, Maxwell, be an imposter?

The first red flag was his size. We had fostered four Bouviers before and knew that the breed standard weight was 65-70 pounds. Maxwell was 95 pounds. and still a puppy. We justified this by remembering we’d seen some larger Bouviers in Canada.

Next was his playful nature. Bouviers are great working dogs but ‘playful’ is not their strong suit. While cleaning out a used Airstream trailer that we’d acquired, I found a box of stuffed dog toys, and absently put them aside on the patio. Twenty minutes later, I glanced up and the box was just half full. A half hour later, it was totally empty. On the other side of the patio, there was Max, playing with all the toys that he had very neatly laid out in front of him.

Max continued to outclass the ‘breed standard’ by packing away the groceries.  A mere five months after adoption, he was weighing in at 115 pounds.

Our denial was strong. We kept telling each other we just had a very “special” Bouvier.

Then one day, we brought Max with us to the pet store. A fellow animal lover approached us, exclaiming, “Oh, a Black Russian Schnauzer, we had one of those!”

I gasped. Had Max been fooling us all along? Was he really an imposter?

I nonchalantly sidled up to the book section, leafed through the breed pictures and boom, there was his mugshot — right there under “Black Russian Terrier – aka Black Russian Schnauzer”. Maxwell was so busted!

Max’s history only got more fascinating the more we researched it. He is a rare combination of 21 different breeds. In the 1940’s, Stalin commissioned the Russian military to genetically engineer the “perfect guard dog.” Stalin had one of Max’s ancestors for his personal bodyguard. Introduced into the U.S. only about 15 years ago, Black Russians are still quite rare, especially in animal shelters.

We can’t fault Max for working his way into our home and our hearts while pretending to be a Bouvier. After all, he wasn’t the one in denial!

Maxwell’s Journey Home

By Kay Sumner

“After years of experiences on the Dog Whisperer, and working with all kinds of animals on our ranch, we felt we could work out what whatever character issue might come our way.”

It all started when my husband Murray and I received an email from a canine rescue organization that specializes in the Bouvier des Flandres breed. The Bouvier had been our dog of choice for many years and we were committed to help as many as we could.

Since they are herding dogs and require a lot of exercise, they are not for everyone.

We drove about 50 miles to check him out in the shelter. His description said he was four years old and might be aggressive.

After years of experiences on the Dog Whisperer, and working with all kinds of animals on our ranch, we felt we could work out what whatever character issue might come our way. We arrived at a busy shelter that had a rampant kennel cough epidemic.

Yikes — we had healthy older dogs at home, and that cough could be a risk for them.

We wandered past so many cages that it was heartbreaking. There were dogs of every size, every color and every breed. They were mostly sad-eyed, and many were sick.

Finally, there he was — a Bouvier — pure black one, with long hair, that almost covered his eyes. He lay halfway back in the kennel, so despondent that he would not even look at us! His head was between his paws and we could not even get him to look up. He was forlorn, lonely and distant — not the usual Bouvier disposition with lots of tail-wagging tail and affection. It was as if we did not exist.

The volunteer offered to bring him outside where we could meet him properly. We were ushered into a meeting yard that was fenced-in so he could run loose. It was small, cement covered and not especially dog-friendly. When he arrived, it was as if he were walking on springs desperate to relieve himself, bouncing around. It was clear he had not wanted to foul his kennel, so he was obviously house-trained.

Again, he made no eye contact, hardly noticing we were there. It seemed that he had not been out of the kennel in some time. This was a different dog than we had intended to find and he was a sick dog. He also seemed very large for the breed standard, but we decided to take him and see if we could help. We were informed that there was a waiting period as he needed neutering, which required a second trip amounting to another whole day’s journey.

We adopted him on the spot and planned the return trip. We needed to set up a kennel in which to keep him in a warm location while he was quarantined and medicated for his cough. We moved it into our studio with blankets, bed, toys and food but he was still once again inside a kennel. We gave him his new name: Maxwell.

I picked him up at the appointed time and he rode in the back of the SUV. At first, he had very little interest in the ride, as the trip was long, but he gradually began to look out the window, still ignoring us.

It took about six weeks to make sure the other dogs would not get sick. We walked him several times a day. At first, he ate very little, but he gradually came around and let us pet him and talk to him. Eventually, he began to respond to our care. By the end of those six weeks, he looked forward to our visits, but it took a long time. Then he made it into the house at last! Unfortunately, another problem arose. Our female dog Breezy, our cream-colored Bouvier, would not let Maxwell get close to my husband!

Everyone who got in the way as Breezy tried to guard Murray got bitten! Poor Max. He had graduated from the kennel to the house to be met with a bossy female who wanted to put him in his place. We lived an uneasy truce with Breezy exerting her domineering nature from time to time.

Max was very passive with her. He was extremely good with all other dogs, even small ones, and he continues to be a happy pack dog.

After months of caring for him, he was over his shyness. He became part of the family. Taking him for a walk in town, we met a dog-lover who came up and petted Max and said to us, “You have a Black Russian!” We said, “No, a Bouvier des Flandres.” But… he was right. Max was a Black Russian!

(To be continued…)

The Best Present Ever

By Sheila Emery

When I was engaged to my now husband, I used to march around the house saying “I want a puppy, I want a puppy!” I took an online test that was supposed to tell you what kind of dog would be good for you.

The first answer was a St. Bernard and second was a Havanese. I had never heard of a Havanese and was intrigued. I looked them up and learned they were from Cuba (hence Havanese — from Havana).

They used to be companion dogs for the Cuban nobility, but after the revolution, they became the dog of the people and were used to herd chickens!

They are super smart and are referred to as the Labrador of small dogs. So after lots of research, we found Ollie. Ollie is my best friend. I have had the pleasure of his faithful company for 16 years. He is blind and deaf now and sleeps most of the time, but he still can find me and will ask for a snuggle.

I remember him as a young dog running in the park with his tail up like a rudder.

He especially loves our family and elderly people. I taught Ollie a million tricks; he could do everything with hand signals. He was very motivated by treats and would learn a new trick in a flash. Ollie always looked you right in the eyes. He liked it when I sang to him.

Havanese are hypoallergenic — they have hair, not fur, and do not shed. Ollie slept on our bed his whole life. He used to spring up on the bed and now I have to lift him. He’s not too warm in the summer (like my husband) and he keeps me warm in the winter. Lots of times he’ll stretch out all the way down my back. It’s like having the most comfortable and perfect private heating pad.

Ollie’s job is to be my companion and he has done his job every day for 16 years. No matter where I am in the house, he will find me and curl up at my feet. He is loyal, smart, gentle and adorable. Even today as an old doggy, he gives me pure unconditional love. I can’t imagine life without him. I still take him to the park where he enjoys walking around smelling everything.

Ollie, you are and always will be the best present I ever received. Thank you for loving me and letting me love you. You are my precious Ollie dog.