Dreams
All of our dogs for the last 10 years have all been retired racing greyhounds. So they're all rescue dogs, but I feel so blessed to have them (have had them, in some cases) because they're truly wonderful animals and so loving. The one in the picture is Dreams and he was my mother's Christmas present in 2006 but he's been my baby ever since he first graced our house. He's a toy destroyer, he makes a hole and tears all the stuffing out of any, and all, unsuspecting toys. He was diagnosed with bone cancer and he's still going strong but his prognosis isn't very good. It makes me sad that he's only going to be in my life for three years but he made them really wonderful years and I love him with all my heart.

-Coco

Happy
Happy is 7 years old and is a very sweet beagle.  Our home burned down in a wildfire in ’03 and he lived inside a trailer with us while the home was being rebuilt. – Didn’t complain once! 

-Marjorie

Rennie
This is Rennie, my 6-year-old Papillon.  Rennie was supposed to be a show dog, but she grew too big for the breed standard, and the breeder looked for a new home for her.  Rennie has many accomplishments: she has “Companion Dog” titles from both AKC and UKC, and the highest level of Rally in AKC.  Her official name is UCD Oakhills Renaissance O”Dundee, CD, RAE.  But the thing I am proudest of, beyond her ribbons and plagues, is her work as a therapy dog.  She is certified by Therapy Dogs International, and every Tuesday we spend the morning at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Woodland Hills.  The minute we walk through the front door, Rennie is “on.”  She prances down the hall expectantly, hoping to catch someone’s eye.  If she succeeds, she scampers over, tail wagging, smiling broadly, ready to be petted and to bring a smile to someone’s face.  In the hospital units, she loves to curl up next to the patients, rolling onto her back for a belly rub or begging to have her chin scratched.  In a few short hours she brightens the day of dozens of people, from the busiest doctors to the sickest patients.  For a few minutes, everyone forgets their worries and basks in the pure love and joy of one little dog.

-Diana

Pepper
Hello All Dog Lovers,   this is a picture of my dog Pepper.  He is 4 years old a Tri Color Sheltland Sheepdog.  I am a dog trainer and Pepper is a wonderful loyal dog.  I show him when I have time and he has had mostly first place finishes.  It's such a gift to share ones life with a great dog.

Fr.Baron and Lacey
I have two yellow labrador retrievers. They are both very important to me.  I bought them both as puppies, from different breeders. Emma, the older, was a mess as a puppy.  She reminds me of the book, "Marley and Me".
I had to get her into obedience school, immediately.  Now, she keeps me hopping, by competing in obedience and agility.  She is very active and LOVES to work.  She's 4 1/2yrs old and has already received several AKC titles and is still going strong! Lacey, the younger one, is 2 yrs old.  She is very quiet, calm and loving.  She has a couple AKC titles, but that is not her passion. She wants to love.  I had her certified as a therapy dog, through PAWS for People (Pet Assisted Visitation Volunteers, Inc).  We now visit nursing homes, hospitals and have started in the Reading program with kids of all ages.  Children love to read to dogs.  They are not intimidated and will read for hours.  Patients at the nursing homes and hospitals love having us visit.  Pet therapy lowers their blood pressure, keeps them busy working with their hands and legs and just gives them something soft and caring to love on. When my girls aren't working, they are swimming in our pool or at the Jersey Shore or running around the farm, where we live.
I don't know what I would do without them!!

-Julie

Andy
Andy is my 3 1/2 year old Doberman. He's my service dog and my friend. He makes friends for the breed wherever we go.

-Joan

Spice
This is spice, my mini poodle.  She is 5 years old.  This is my third minny .  She is very smart and loyal and loves to play.  She also likes to nibble on my feet when taking her out in the morning.  She sure can make you laugh a lot.

-Terry

Hank, the snow dog
This is my snow dog, Hank.  He is important to me as he is my empty nest dog.  He was here for my when we lost my mother and father-in-law.  He is here for me when my husband is gone as he works odd hours.
He loves all our neighbors who are retired.  I take him to work at night where he is our only security at an extended education community college site. Now when I walk him in town, many people wave to him with a big, “Hi Hank!”  The students even pet him before testing as they think he is good luck.  Once while walking with Hank I saw an older man mowing a lawn.  He saw Hank and fell to his knees holding his arms out.  It was apparent he had a mental disability.  Hank walked into this man’s arms and licked him on the face while this man hugged him.  What a fantastic little life and I love him every day.

-E.Gordon

Nikki
Here's a picture of our "little" Labrador, Niki, who joined our family in 2004. She followed in the illustrious paths of her two "big brothers" Kirby and Monroe. She is a dear animal, offering us more love than we had ever hoped to have. That's a tall order for her to fulfill, since Kirby and Monroe were incredibly affectionate. She's extremely smart (as you can see from the picture where she's reading her email) and very devoted. She reads our moods very well and offers exactly the right comfort necessary after a hard day's work.

-Sheila and Richard

Ranger
We rescued Ranger when he was only about 6 months old and had no idea what we would be in for since he was found wondering the streets of Modesto, Ca as a stray. He was noted to be quite a handful from our rescue organization (GCGSR) and were warned that they know nothing of his past and he could turn out to be a very difficult German Shepard. Well that is no where near to be the case, Ranger is the most amazing young man (pup). He is our lake fishing buddy, loves to swim and remove any stray stick from the water for boater safety! He is my protector only when deemed necessary and makes sure the threat knows he is there and not to push it. He may only be a year and a half but puts on a good game face if he needs to. But on the flip side, his favorite place is in the grass in his yard, he loves to roll around and frolic like a kid! (To the point where he is so distracted by the grass and sunshine, a cat can walk by completely undetected!) He is very smart and has shown the true definition of a German Shepard in his quest for continued training and owner interaction. Our lives changed when he busted down the screen door and we have never been happier!

-Sara