barker & meowsky staffer falls in love

I have never considered myself a dog person. Dog’s always struck me as needy – always jumping all over you, licking every inch of bare skin, etc. But for years I’ve often said that if I were ever going to get a dog, it would be a long-haired Chihuahua (my good friend having one that was sweet natured and very quiet).

After living in Chicago for 2 years my career was going swimmingly and I had an apartment that I loved. In late December of 2006 I decided that the New Year was THE year that I was going to adopt a little bundle of joy.

After all of the holiday craziness was over I began browsing the websites of various rescue organizations throughout Chicagoland. My only stipulation is that I wanted a smaller dog, my apartment being less that palatial.

One day, I was browsing through www.pawschicago.org and saw a picture that caught my eye. This one:

"Mollie" in 2007

I showed everyone this picture. My boyfriend, my colleagues, I even sent it to my brother in Canada. Not everyone shared my enthusiasm - my good friend A.B. said she looked like a fear-biter. I checked the website at least twice a day, making sure that the little long-haired Chihuahua (named Mollie) hadn’t been adopted yet. Finally, I broke down and filled out the online adoption form and called to book an appointment.

I was so nervous that I asked Alice (Ms. Meowsky herself) to come with me and give her honest opinion. On a cold February day, Alice and I jumped into the car and headed down to the adoption center on 26th street.

Once we had checked in with the staff, they brought Mollie out for us to meet. PAWS has gotten her from Animal Care and Control, so no one really knew what her life had been like before she was picked up as a stray. The staff thought that she had had a litter of puppies, though she was only around a year old. She was so tiny and thin, her ribs being very prominent against her coat. I knew immediately I wanted her, there was only one problem. Like many strays, she had already bonded with the PAWS staff because they had treated her so kindly and given her so much love – she was very, very shy of me.

Luckily, little Mollie had an Achilles heel – treats! The staff gave me some treats and the next thing you know I was able to coax her onto my lap. I really wanted her, but decided that I would foster her first, to make sure it was a good match and that she could warm up to me on her own.

That evening, my boyfriend Joseph and I are discussing potential names. I had promised to let him choose the name, but I retained veto power. After tossing some names out that just didn’t work Joseph suggested a Spanish name – I didn’t love the name but said I enjoyed the idea of an exotic name, I thought a French name would be terrific. Then Joseph said “What about Soleil?” and we both knew instantly that this was the perfect name.

Soleil was a little tentative for the first night, though she did curl up next to me, but in the morning everything changed. She woke early and crept up onto my pillow and curled up right next to my head and that was it - we’ve been inseparable ever since.

Now, as her second birthday is rapidly approaching, she is happy, well adjusted and just a little spoiled, but despite all things I have given her I truly believe she has given me so much more. She is the light of my life and I am grateful every day to wake up with the Sun - even on the cloudiest day.

If you have any questions about adopting a dog, please feel free to send any questions to paul@barkerandmeowsky.com.

Soleil today - my little ray of sunshine!

Extra, Extra - FOX News reporter falls in love

My love affair with my white boxer, Rudy, started when he was just 6 weeks old. My sister is a vet and brought him home to me from her clinic. It seems there was a family who wanted to put Rudy to sleep because he was born all white and they figured he would have a lot of problems. My sister just couldn't do it and instead gave him to me. My sister put Rudy on my white bedspread and told me there was a surprise waiting for me in my room. It took me a few minutes to find him because he blended in with the bedspread he was so white!! Rudy could fit in the palm of my hand at the time and he was the most beautiful and sweet puppy I had ever seen. I fell in love with him instantly.

So... 6 and a 1/2 years later... Rudy can't even fit in my lap anymore. He is super tall and weighs about 74 pounds. Rudy got his name because he was born on September 11th - that day. I named him after Rudy Giuliani because I thought he did a great job on 9/11. I wanted his name to be something patriotic and Rudy's name fit perfectly. Rudy has been through so much in the past two years. He has had a total of 10 cancerous tumors removed, one ACL surgery and he has another knee surgery to look forward to in the next year... but no matter how stitched up he has been... Rudy always manages to keep his tail wagging. Some of my friends now call Rudy Franken-Rudy because he has so many scars he looks like frankenstein. To me... he is still beautiful!

I have lived in three different states with Rudy...my job requires me to move frequently. He is always ready to get in the car and move and he always adapts well to all of his new environments. Rudy really has been through everything with me... he is my buddy, my best friend and he is always by my side. I fell in love instantly with Rudy and if you ever meet him... you will too. We are always stopping by Barker and Meowsky... it's Rudy's favorite shop!

Tera and Rudy Williams
LOVE AT FUR-ST SIGHT!!