RHODY PETS: Local Bachelor

RhodyPets: But First, Lois Bachelor sweethearts-turned-cafe owners on how their pup prepared them for life with a baby

RHODY PET OF THE MONTH: MILLIE Affectionate companion seeks a single-dog family

By Karen Kalunian

Meet Miss Millie: a sweet, loyal companion just waiting for a warm comfy bed she can call her own in a loving home. This pup is about seven years old and doesn’t fit in living in a shelter, where her gorgeous brindle coat, sweet temperament, and wiggly butt (a sign that she’s happy!) go unappreciated. She is best suited as a solo pet, and she adores belly rubs. If you’ve been searching for a new best friend, Millie is here, waiting to make you smile – go meet her to see for yourself what a loving girl she truly is. Learn more by visiting Warwick Animal Shelter, 101 Arthur Devine Boulevard, Warwick, or call 401-468-4377.

If you have been looking to adopt or know of an animal in need, please contact Karen from Animal Talk directly at animaltalk1920@gmail.com

Life is sweet for Ashley Iaconetti Haibon and Jared Haibon. The two met on Bachelor in Paradise, the ABC spinoff of its popular dating and relationship reality television series, The Bachelor. Jared was a cast member on The Bachelorette and Ashley was on The Bachelor. Now married, the Haibons are the proud owners of a newly opened day-to-night coffee house and lounge, and recently welcomed baby boy Dawson. As these Rhode Island-based lovebirds reveal, they already felt like parents to a very special fur baby.

Sitting fireside at their venue, Audrey’s Co ee House & Lounge at South County Commons, the celebrity couple sip their favorite drinks: an espresso martini for Jared and a vanilla chai for Ashley. The pair look smitten as they gaze at the wall canvas of their Pomeranian Shih Tzu mix Lois, and there seems little doubt who would get their rose.

“It all began when I stopped to pet a woman’s dog at the mall and formed an instant friendship,” Ashley explains of how Lois entered their world. “A week later, the woman called and said a little, fluffy, white dog had been dropped off at a local Petco because the owner was unable to take care of her, so I went straight there.”

“I had no idea that Ashley was going to look at the dog. I thought she was getting her nails done,” Jared laughs. “When I went to pick her up, she had a six-month-old puppy in her arms!”

Lois is now three and a half but she made a great first impression. “She was so playful and spunky with such an expressive face; even her ears have so much life in them,” says Ashley.

“Contrastingly, she sleeps hard,” Jared adds with a chuckle. “When I take her out for her goodnight walk, I have to pick her up and she’s all dead weight. Once she gets comfy, she doesn’t like to move.”

“I love watching Jared cradle Lois and sing to her until she falls asleep in his arms. It’s so sweet to see how safe she feels with him and clearly demonstrated to me how nurturing a dad he was going to be. I feel the same way when he plays catch with her or chases her around – they’re both at their happiest in those moments.”