Our Annual Pet Issue

Each year we ask our readers to send us their favorite photo of them and their pets and give us a few words about them. Here is 2019:

Max (Dashound) & Dolly Barkon (JackChi )

When I met Glen, he had Max and I had Dolly. She wasn’t too sure about having another animal around the house, but soon we found them cuddling. They love to play together and lay in the grass outside. We Love Dolly and Max! ROBERT MOODY & GLEN HOEN

Dudley and Rupert

Meet Dudley (age 10) and Rupert (age 12), Aussie Dogs from Melbourne, Australia that love Salt Lake City and its dog-friendly walks, restaurants, shops, and people. They grew up on the beach, but are enjoying Utah’s snow and mountains after moving here 3.5 years ago with their dads, Rob and Brad. They are tennis-ball-obsessed and are a constant source of happiness, love, and laughter. It is these two fun-loving Doodles that make our house a home. ROB MOOLMAN AND BRAD MARTIN

Odie

In the truck, Odie is a great protector. He alerts me when people are close and has a fit when people are right next to the truck outside. He’s better than an alarm system, lol. He’s a lover of people he knows, and he loves sitting and looking out the front and side windows at cows, horses, and other animals, and barks at them sometimes, saying, “Hey! Look at me!” How it came to be: Odie was a throwaway, put in a box and thrown in a lake in Portland Oregon. A friend of mine found him crying and called me to see if I wanted another trucking dog after mine died of old age. Two months later, after she nursed him back to health, I picked him up. He’s the joy of my life, and we’re inseparable now. SUE I. DRECHSEL

River

My dog River is a Husky and Border Collie mix. The first time I saw her, I knew was my dog. You can’t help but love those light blue eyes and her goofy smile. River loves to put herself to sleep by suckling on her blanket and kneading it with her paws like a cat. She’s the best sidekick ever. CATHY CASH

Jack

This is me and my granddog, Jack. He is a rescue and emotional support friend for my daughter. He chooses to snuggle up under the covers and sleep with me at night and is so attention-hungry that if I’m on my phone when he’s around, he will knock it out of my hand and demand that my attention is focused on him. He has my whole heart.

ANN CLARK

Kubo

A good dog, Kubo. Fearless until a firecracker goes off outside and then he can’t hide under the couch fast enough. He’s in the window watching when I pull into the drive. It doesn’t matter how long I’ve been gone, when I walk through the door, he’s excited to see me. At bedtime, he collects all of his toys in a little nest, I mean who likes to sleep alone? SCOTT HARWELL AND TONY SHIRLEY

Junior

This is my dog, my son Junior. 12 years ago I asked for a little white wolf and I found him. People say that dogs are your family but junior is my soul, protector, best friend, and therapist. He has seen me through success, addiction, sickness, failure, breakups, anger, sadness and joy. He never once judged me, but always let me know when I was on the wrong path and make sure I got back to the right. I love this boy! JUSTIN SORENSON

Comet

I was surprised with Comet for Valentine’s Day a few years ago. I came home to a tiny ball of fluff standing there waiting for me! My husband won Valentine’s for sure! He got Comet from a local family who bought him for their little girl who was fighting cancer. They thought it would help her, but it was too much for them. We kept the name she picked and we emailed her pictures a few times as Comet got older. He is a crazy and needy boy, but we love him to pieces! NICKOLE HOGAN

Carol Channing

Well, Hello Dolly!!! We raised Carol Channing from a chick. This involved months of raising her in our home office. When away from home, we streamed her to our office computers. From an early age, she showed her uniqueness by leading the other chickens in the coop through her examples of kindness and curiosity. She is also the most talkative of all the chickens. Whether during our early morning visits to the coop or evening visits when we watch our chickens roost, Carol is always engaging us with melodic clucks. DARRIN BROOKS, STEVEN CAMICIA

Biggie

When Jen was out of town for business, CJ found Biggie and fell in love. She rescued him, and with a bouquet in hand and their new family member, greeted Jen at the airport. Biggie happens to be the smallest dog in their family out of their three rescue pups. His little nose and paws get cold, so at all times he insists on wrapping his face in a blanket or tucking his paws in your arm folds, thighs, or side. Sometimes we can’t find Biggie, so we yell his name only to see a small head perk up out of a pile of blankets. In this photo, we all look so serious, but we were just watching a squirrel play in the front yard of our little bungalow. JEN AND CJ

Ramses the Pupper

I’d like to introduce you to my good friend, Ramses the Pupper. Rami to those closest to him. He sometimes answers to Ram, Rambo, and Rama-lama. Or Babies. Rami is an 11-month-old mixed breed of Jack Russell, Shih-Tzu, Bichon, and Pomeranian. He enjoys wagging his tail constantly, playing with dryer sheets, tissues, and slippers, cuddling with his “Mom” (me), and sleeping under the covers. Rami does NOT like unfamiliar dogs, unfamiliar people, alarm clocks, or thunderstorms. This crazy pup has absolutely won my heart, and I can’t imagine my life without him! KIRSTEN B. CARON, AKA VICTORY RED

Chico Chicho (left) was brought home as a surprise for my fiancé, Jandy. Let’s just say that a chihuahua wasn’t the surprise she was expecting, but he’s turned out to be one of the best dogs ever. Bella (right) is my childhood pet and after a last minute decision, we drove her from Southern Calif. to Utah one holiday weekend. This photo was taken at her 10th birthday pawty. These two pups have become the best of friends, even though Chicho is still salty that Bella had a party. JANDY S. & ANDY R