Jazz was a rescue pup. She was sitting at the front of the cage, just waiting for us when we walked past. She was and still is a hyper, playful, loving and crazy gal. She chases her tail on command. She vibrates with energy in anticipation of having her ball thrown. She is on the go constantly until evening, when she crawls up into her Mommy's lap for "quiet time." She's the proverbial bull in a china shop, so it's a good thing she's not very big! Having Jazz around is like opening the curtains to a sunny day! She's the happiest dog on the planet and spreads joy everywhere she goes.

Not the shinest apple in the barrel, but loyal to a fault. True to her nature, she tries to herd everything around her in as grumpy a manner as possible. She's always grumping at the other dogs, but Odie was the second dog in the household and has never gotten over the fact that she now has to share the house with all these other dogs. She has it in her head she's the Alpha and it just ain't so! Odie is the proverbial "ugly duckling" who just wants to be the "pretty girl". A pat on the head means more to her than all the stars in the sky and she repays with her loyalty.  When we first adopted her from the shelter, she was hyper and a perfect match for my hyper son, but now in her older years, she's slowing down and is content to just sit on the couch, lick the carpet, or grump.

(1996 - 2007)      Falina, I believe, was a backyard breed chihuahua. I happened to ask at a pet store (where I bought cat food) if they ever got Chihuahuas in the store. I was told they had new puppies arriving the next morning. I went to see them, took one look at that adorable little pup and next thing I knew I was plunking $500 on the counter to get her out of that cage. She's been spoiled to death, but come on...she thinks she's worth it! (UPDATE:  Precious little Falina passed away on October 15, 2007.  She was the heart of my heart and my arms will always feel empty without her.)

Sasha is a foster dog who lives with us permanently. Her previous owner was going through a difficult divorce and couldn't keep Sasha anymore. But it's not easy finding a new home for a 10-year-old Rottie. Old Dog Haven rescued Sasha as a "final rescue" dog (because of arthritis and age) and she'll be in our home as our dog until the end. She's simply a joy and a cuddlebug. Some dogs just get better with age and Sasha is one of them. We love her just as much as she loves us.

(1999 - 2007)       Riley is a very sad story. We worked closely with a rescue called Old Dog Haven in Washington State. We got a call on 7/17/07 about a Rottie at the Humane Society. She had been there a month and that is about the limit of time they give dogs before killing them. So we rushed down there to see this girl and she was a pathetic excuse for a dog (especially a Rottie), she would not look us in the eyes. Once we got her away from all the other dogs there, she was more herself. She is a very sweet dog. Her stomach was hurting her though so we took her to the vet and they had to keep her overnight. Hopefully she will be coming home tomorrow to a new life with our family. While waiting at the vet's office, she decided to adopt us. She started with the Rottie lean and then put her head in our laps for some ear scraching. She started showing us just how thankful she was for getting her out of the horrible conditions she was in at the pound. I have never seen a dog take to anyone as fast as Riley did to us. I cannot wait to bring her home as a great addition to our kids that we already have. (UPDATE:  Riley came home to a wonderful life with Mommy while Daddy was away on business for two months.  She was faithful, loving, goofy and loyal, but she didn't get to stay long, and headed over the Rainbow Bridge on October 1st, 2007.  I loved that girl to the utmost, and she is sorely missed.)