Lucy and I met over 10 years ago at the Prince William County (Virginia) animal shelter. Black and white with big brown eyes, she was a bit skinny, although her belly was swollen from nursing. The thought that she had lost both her home and her puppies made it an easy decision. When we left the shelter, she slipped out of her leash and began to run ecstatically through the grass away from the building. I chased after her frantically calling “Dog! Come!” After a few minutes of savoring her freedom, she returned to me and I put the leash back on. From that day she has been a faithful and beloved companion. And more than a little spoiled.

Tye is one of those unassuming dogs; she doesn't ask for much but gives plenty in return. She just has a sweet, forgiving countenance about her that soothes and reassures us. Ten years ago, when we visited the Animal Rescue League in Pittsburgh, the pound was packed-- dogs were barking, looking for attention, but not our "Little Debbie" (her temporary “pound name”). Her tag said "shepherd mix"-- 10 months. She looked sad and lonely in her cage, but perhaps a little hopeful. She had just been rejected by a couple who said "that dog’s head doesn't fit its body." She accepted this criticism bravely and looked at us, as if to say, "well, what do you think?" She has hound dog hunting instincts in her which although present, have never landed her a prize, or a squirrel; but she has accepted this limitation. She has such a grace to her that belies her mixed pedigree. She walks with a grandiose gait as if to suggest she comes from purebred lineage, announcing to the neighborhood that she is arriving.

Max is a red shorthaired dachshund, who will turn 15 in Novemeber. He has been a member of the McGee family since 1992, when he was adopted from the Humane Society. He's lost his vision, a fair amount of his hearing and has added a distinguished amount of gray, but soldiers on as he always has, bolstered by a significant stubborn streak.

Bonnie & Clyde came to us as puppies when we adopted them from our local SPCA. They are a labrador retriever and unknown mix. Clyde almost didn't make it due to parvo virus, but they've been going strong ever since! We should have named them something else as they have certainly lived up to their gangster names. What one doesn't get into, the other does. "Treasures" we have been presented with include many dead bird parts, animal skulls, a dead minnow, dead toads, used tissues, 2 lime slices, chewed chewing gum and many other tidbits too numerous to mention!

I have had my best friend beside me since he was 8 weeks old, and since I was in High school. He has travelled with me through my many moves, through many states, and although you can tell he is not impressed... he still stands tall beside me. I am told he doesn't look his age, and maybe that is because he truely doesn't act his age. For goodness sake, his best friend is a rabbit LOL How many old dogs would have that patience :)

Now I watch him age, and his joints are achy and his legs get weak and I know our time together is running short, but even so the memories of him getting into the cabinets and pulling out our pots and pans, and his first encounter with a moose in Alaska keep me laughing.

I pity those who have never had the love of a truly wonderful dog.

"Pilz" is our best buddy, We have had him since he was a puppy and he is growing old with us...he needs a little help getting up on "his" bed now and needs lights on the see the stairs in the house. His fav spot is on the front porch where he can watch the world go by and bark his head off when ever another dog enters his territory. We love him dearly and he returns that love 100 fold.

Willie Wonka is a 13-1/2 year old Chocolate Lab.
He has arthritis but that doesn't stop him from getting the newspaper in the morning.
He's slowed down quite a bit but is still happy & playful. He's young at heart.

Gillie is a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix. In her youth, she was faster than all the dogs at the park except for the greyhound, so perhaps her long, skinny nose and speed come from a greyhound father. These days, we pace sedately for a mile or two with Gillie's regal bearing suggesting royalty waving slowly from the parade route.

Although Gillie's name hearkens back to the Scottish, meaning a hunting or fishing guide, she has been a guide for me in a much larger sense for these thirteen years. From puppy mischief to occasional health scares to the sheer joy of chasing a squirrel, she has taught me about the balance of a well-lived life.

Jed is the best friend that anyone could ever hope for. Although many accuse him of being a purebred (pick one of any number of hounds), he is proud of his muttness and wears it well. He is 10 years old and has only recently begun to slow down.

When the desert summers of Arizona get too darned hot to go outside (ouch, burned pads!), a trip to the Mexico beach is in order. Jed runs like a horse and cuddles like a baby.

And boy is he handsome!

Chips is a shelter baby who has owned us for 10 years. The most notable thing about her is her ears, which, when fully extended, are triple the width of her body. She is quite fond of baby carrots, cheese, and Frosty Paws treats. Chips recently was diagnosed with bladder cancer, but fortunately we caught it very early, and we think she's going to be with us for another 10 years!