Zephyr and Anabelle: Photo by Danny Fulgencio
We call them pets — those creatures who cohabitate and bond with humans. They tend to love their person, even one who is crotchety or crazy. Dogs don’t judge—they evidently love doctors and pastors, evil dictators and lunatics the same. Each summer, in anticipation of the September issue, we ask readers to tell us about their pets. Then editors are deluged with emails and letters. The photos are striking and funny. The stories, heartwarming. Your love of your pets is evident and something to which animal people in every culture and community can relate. While pets are no substitute for human relationships, they do offer a sort of unparalleled, unshakable and near-mystic camaraderie. Writer-naturalist Henry Beston explained it eloquently when he wrote, “They are more finished and complete [than us], gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other Nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time.”
Cora little body, big heart
Cora was rescued from Dallas Animal Services by neighbor Cameron Hernholm after the organization posted on its Facebook page that it was “raining Chihuahuas.” She weighs in at a whopping 3 pounds, but she has big heart. She had a really rocky start and was hospitalized for over a month straight, and she almost didn’t make it due to fading puppy syndrome. Since she got over the hump, she has been full of energy 24-7 and is always into something, her mom says. She lives in Lakewood with her three brothers: Milo, a collie rescue; Nutty, a Chihuahua rescue; and Rusty, a Chihuahua mix.
Cora: Photo by Danny Fulgencio
Emmy: Photo by Danny Fulgencio
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Emmy aka #pupperfluff
If you think poodles seem hyperactive, you’ve never met Emmy the miniature poodle. She’s super chill, says her human mom, Courtney King. However, being “super chill” doesn’t mean she isn’t high maintenance — because she is. “She’s really smart,” King says. “She can kind of get me to do whatever she wants me to do.” And what Emmy wants is to sunbathe on the porch on Saturday afternoon, hang out with her doggy friends at The Swiss Avenue Dog Park, and sniff around White Rock Local Market for dropped crumbs. She’s also a bit of an attention-seeker on Instagram, where she has her own pen name and hashtag: #pupperfluff. When she’s not haunting dog-friendly locations in East Dallas, she also enjoys road-tripping with King. Oh, and popcorn. She loves popcorn.
Emmy: Photo by Danny Fulgencio
Avey: Photo by Danny Fulgencio
Avey emerald-eyed diva
Despite the fact that Avey is a bit of a recluse, her calico coloring and beautiful emerald green eyes have captured much attention. She has been featured on CNN and White Rock Weekly, both times as the focal point of her owner’s photography skills. But if you get caught up in her fame, we suggest you keep your distance. She’s a diva, her owner Manny Fernandez says. “I’m not sure why, but she’s always had a mean streak in her,” he explains. But Avey generally is pretty loving toward Fernandez, who has learned over the years how to handle her mood swings. Fernandez’s mom got Avey at a garage sale in Wyoming for $5. Fernandez took her with him to Colorado, where Avey enjoyed living in the foothills near Denver, and then they spent three years in California on Redondo Beach. These days they’re enjoying life in East Dallas.
Zephyr and Anabelle: Photo by Danny Fulgencio
Zephyr and Anabelle the odd couple
Dog and cat stereotypes exist because of pets like Zephyr and Anabelle. Zephyr is a fun-loving American bulldog mix who loves to be around people and is convinced she isn’t a day over 6 months, even though she’s actually 11 years old. Anabelle is a selectively social kitty who takes her role as boss of the house very seriously. But when it comes to “fighting like cats and dogs,” their owners Ada and Mo Mahmoud say that’s one area where Zephyr and Anabelle are rewriting the stereotype. After spending upwards of a decade paw-in-paw, Zephyr and Anabelle are the definition of best friends. They could spend hours side by side, either gazing out the window watching the neighborhood wildlife scamper by, or cuddled up in a comfortable corner, with Anabelle completely on top of Zephyr or curled up under Zephyr’s snout.
Bob: Photo by Danny Fulgencio
Bob the attention seeker
“It’s all about Bob.” That’s the phrase Lakewood neighbors Susan and Jim Stege often use to describe their attention-loving tuxedo cat with an endearing half-mustache. Today, Bob is 18 pounds of pampered kitty love. You’d never know it by looking at him, but he was once a scruffy, scrawny tomcat. Bob began his life running around the streets of Lakewood before being adopted by the Steges’ friend and taken to the ‘burbs, but he didn’t play nice with her other two cats. Susan and Jim Stege adopted him and brought him back to Lakewood, and Bob’s aggression quickly subsided. Not long ago, Susan found two hard lumps in Bob’s leg. When she took him to the veterinarian, the vet discovered two BBs under Bob’s skin, left over from his past life.
The rest of the pack
Emma is the sweet, adventurous dog of neighbor Juliana von Lassberg. White Rock Lake is her favorite place to spend her time. She loves long walks and watching the ducks pass by on the lake.
Walk lovers,stick fetchers, lap ploppers, squirrel chasers … you get the picture
TOP ROW
Detroit is a 2-year-old Brussels Griffon who enjoys being spoiled, says his mom, Laraine Escobar. Visits to the dog park to play with his friends make him smile. He also likes new outings and activities.
Luke is an 8-year-old Yorkie that is loved by everyone that meets him, says his mom, neighbor Christy McCrary. He loves going on long walks and going on adventures. He will do lots of tricks for treats and can even count to three.
Earl is 10 and still loves to walk at White Rock Lake on early weekend mornings or in the cooler evening hours, according to owner Kristin Arthur. This picture was taken at a rest stop in the bluebonnets overlooking the lake on the bike trail, where he often charms walkers, runners and cyclists with his smile.
MIDDLE ROW
Paisley is new to the Lakewood neighborhood and is excited by all of the squirrels in her new backyard, says her mom, Diana Oates. She also enjoys collecting sticks and eating bones her mom and dad bring home from Al Biernat2019’s.
Mason Dixon was rescued from the streets of Houston and relocated to East Dallas with his human Ali Cook in October 2010. He is a lab/greyhound/pit mix who loves long walks, the Texas sunshine and squirrels. He never barks, except at squirrels, and his favorite toy is the tennis ball.
Caesar is an 8-year-old Great Dane who recently moved to the neighborhood with his owner, Liz Story. He likes to sleep, eat treats and go for walks.
BOTTOM ROW
Bruno the Wonder Cat, also known as “Mr. Personality,” is a shelter rescue. He’s been a thriving member of Guinn Powell and Todd Smith’s family for about 4 years. Around his neighborhood, his persistence wins invitations to share in an occasional porch-feeding bowl. If he’s not napping, he’s plopped in a lap for much needed “meow” time.
Sandy is the “crazy pup” of neighbor Sabrina Ogle. She’s a rescue terrier mix from the East Lake Pet Orphanage. These days she’s “24 pounds of scruff, energy and heart.”
Sophie Marie, a Maine Coon, and Sadie Mae, a Gray Tabby, live in Casa Linda with their people, Teresa and Rick Venable. The Venables have lived in the area for 37 years, and they adopted Sadie and Sophie from the SPCA in 2002.
