There’s nothing like the unconditional love that a pet can give, and boy, we’ve needed it!
Companion animals, especially dogs and cats, can reduce stress and anxiety, keep us active, and ease our loneliness. The past year has provided paw-sitive proof. Since we were at home, we had more time to spend with our pets, walking through the neighborhood or cuddling on the couch. And for many people, it was the perfect time to bring a dog or cat into the family.
It was also a great opportunity to take adorable photos! We asked for your pictures and your stories, and it was hard to choose from so many cute faces. We hope you enjoy a peek at these aww-some animals.
Cotten
Sage and Banks
Cotten
Our Pembroke cardigan corgi, Cotten, has brought so much love and joy to our home and hearts. She helped us through this quarantine more than she will ever know. Cotten’s favorite thing to do is to play ball and go for car rides. She also loves chasing our cats around the house, much to their dismay. She loves going to Dairy Queen for an occasional Pup Cup.
— Pamela Genovesi Macdonald, Clayton
Sage and Banks
Sage and Banks are a sister and brother duo who entered our family in September 2020. Like many others I am sure, we added these two dogs to our family. Sage is our son Bryan’s and Banks is our daughter Sara’s. They love playing together in our Lochmere Highlands home and they have helped brighten lots of neighbors and friends with their energy and play. Given the year 2020 was, they have provided real joy to so many in such a short period of time.
— Rob & Julie Nauman, Cary
Wicket and Willow
Wicket and Willow
Our pups are papillons and are true to the breed: friendly, alert and happy. They should also add yappy. The big dog, Wicket, weighs 6 pounds and is 13 years old. The little dog, Willow, weighs 4 pounds and is 4 years old.
We love these guys!
— Alisa Wright Colopy, Cary
Scooter
Kia
Scooter
Could there be a cuter, more personable cat? Scooter is a sweet kitty who earned his name as a newly adopted kitten who couldn’t get his “wheels” going on the hardwood floors. His legs would spin in circles like a scooter!
This adorable 16-year-old cat serves as an efficient office assistant when not on the lookout for birds or watching Lucky Dog. A few weeks ago he urgently alerted his owner to a water pipe break in the middle of the night, proving that Lassie has nothing on him!
— Kathi Bentley, Cary
Kia
She came to me because her first owner went into hospice. She loves to run all over the house, but her little cat feet sound like a herd of cattle. She loves to play, purr and eat treats.
— Kathy Boyer, Cary
Murray
Murray
Murray is a very laid back rescue cat! He lives with the Owens family in Apex, including four girls who love him, a dog, two other cats and three rats. It is a very active household but nothing bothers him. He just finds his spot on the chair and tunes out the chaos.
— Beth, Bruce, Molly, Caroline, Elise and Emily Owens of Apex, and Thanta Isenhour of Cary
Oakley
Brisco
Oakley
I said we weren’t going to be those people buying a quarantine puppy. We already had a dog and a cat, plus a 7-year-old and a 4-year-old. Our house already felt like a zoo. Then my husband’s friend fostered this puppy, and my husband fell in love. The adoption agency came by to meet us, and the next thing I know, we were signing papers and had a puppy again! We decided to name him Oakley for the City of Oaks.
Those first two days were rough, navigating virtual school, a busy preschooler who wasn’t too sure about our new puppy, and the constant playing of the puppy and our older dog. Then, I’d sit down at the end of the day, and the puppy would snuggle up next to me, and it would melt all my stress away. I wasn’t in the greatest headspace at the end of last year, but those puppy snuggles saved me on the hard days. Now we’re in a groove, and while it’s not always easy having a busybody puppy around, we wouldn’t trade him for the world.
— Patty Chandley, Raleigh
Brisco
Brisco is my constant companion. When I’m sick, Brisco lies right beside me and will stay there for hours. When I fainted recently and fell to the floor, I was woken up by his licking my face. The doctor said it was probably a good thing I had him.
On good days he loves going to the dog park here in Cary and socializes with the other dogs. He always makes me smile with his expressive eyes.
— Sandra Jones, Cary
Arlo
Arlo
Life is less lonely with a dog! Arlo, an Australian cattle dog, wakes up every day just happy. He was abandoned as a puppy, and I was lucky enough to rescue him. You can’t help but smile when you are around him, as he is just so funny and full of personality. He always wants to be with me, and does not know the meaning of personal space! I would not have it any other way.
— Carolynn Klein, Apex
Penny
Wilbur
Penny
My 7-year-old Dalmatian Lucky Penny is a hoot. Although she’s deaf, she doesn’t let her deafness define her! She’s a fast runner and has participated in AKC Fast CAT, where the dog runs 100 yards chasing a lure. Penny is a neighborhood favorite; five neighborhood girls have had their first job as Penny’s afternoon walker. Penny and I walk around town to earn miles toward the Dalmatian Distance Log Program. As a result, we’ve walked every trail and visited every park in Cary.
— Joann Keyton, Cary
Wilbur
We live in Cary and have a beach house in the Outer Banks in Hatteras. We recently lost our golden retriever, Oakley, and our Pekinese-Pomeranian, Choo Choo. We wanted a pup that reminded us of our beloved dogs, so we chose Wilbur from a breeder in Virginia who breeds mini-goldens (golden retriever/ Cavalier King Charles spaniel.) We named him after Wilbur Wright!
Wilbur is a playful, cuddly, kissable, soft and silky, well behaved and smart puppy. Our whole family (my husband Richard and my three 20-something kids) have fallen in love with him! He is indeed “Mr. Wright!”
— Aleece Spalding, Cary
Birdie
Birdie
Birdie the yellow Lab is sweet, cute and so much fun. She’s the best addition to our family full of boys, which includes her older brother, Leo, a 4-year-old golden retriever. Birdie was born Nov. 1, 2020, she came home Dec 7. She was 8 weeks in the photo.
— Jennifer Persinger, Apex
Avery
Guster
Avery
Avery is a 2-year-old Maltipoo who is an energetic, loving, people- and dog-person bundle of joy! She loves taking walks, chasing birds, seeing people, and running in large circles. She is the love of our life, and brings joy to us every day with some kind of crazy antic.
If you talk to her or ask her if she wants to go for a ride or see her cousins, she looks you straight in the eye and cocks her head like, “What did you say Mom or Dad?”
— Sandi Colwell, Cary
Guster
Thanks so much for allowing us the opportunity to show our adorable new puppy, Guster! He’s 75% miniature poodle and 25% Cavalier King Charles spaniel.
A few months prior to getting Guster we got a puppy who was tragically killed. A year prior to that we lost our 16-year-old miniature poodle. While heartbroken, we had 16 wonderful years with her! My husband, both boys, and I were with her when she passed. Who could ask for more than all those wonderful years and time together? Having little Guster is especially a joy to us right now!
— John & Krista Andrukonis, Cary
Norman and Nellie
Norman and Nellie
The tan dog is Norman; he’s 6 years old. Nellie is the brindle; she’s 10 months. They are both bullmastiffs from the same breeder. They are the best dogs ever and the biggest, sweetest babies. They even have an Instagram page, @norman_and_nellie.
— Meghan Roy, Cary
Crystal
Kneesox
Crystal
Crystal is a mutt. We got her from the Rockingham Humane Society when she was just 8 weeks old. She is now 10 years old and going strong. She’s considered a senior dog, but you wouldn’t know it. She’s doggone awesome! She’s loyal and determined to get the squirrel out in our yard.
— Holly Lurcock, Cary
Kneesox
Kneesox is a 12-year-old Cornish Rex cat who loves people! She has a short, wavy coat that feels like velvet and hardly sheds. My husband and I adore how affectionate (and needy) she is. She is very vocal and always has something to say!
I adopted Kneesox when she was 5 years old as a retired show cat. She used to live a busy life on the road with her previous owners, competing in Cat Fanciers’ Association shows and winning ribbons. Now, she is enjoying her golden years getting spoiled. When she’s not curled up on our laps, she can usually be found buried under a blanket, or lounging in her personal heated bed.
— Caitlin Allegrezza, Morrisville
Biscuit
Biscuit
My dog Biscuit loves being praised and fawned over. He is the neighborhood greeter and alerts me when the mail truck arrives and the Amazon truck is out front.
— Richard Lewison, Holly Springs
Maui
Harley
Maui and Harley
Maui loves hanging out at her favorite downtown Cary spot, Pharmacy Bottle + Beverage.
Harley loves visiting the Starbucks on N.W. Maynard Road in Cary. This is her when mom doesn’t get her a pupachino.
— Dana Duvernay, Cary
Josie
Blaze
Josie
Josie loves protecting the house from birds and squirrels.
— Karen Duvernay, Cary
Blaze
This is Blaze the Ragdoll. He enjoys walking outside on a leash, lying on his back in the middle of the floor, and sitting around looking beautiful.
— Mimosa Hines, Cary
Bear and Kai
Henry
Bear and Kai
Our son’s black puppy, Bear, loves our little white dog, Kai! Kai was rescued from living with 48 other dogs and has to be the sweetest dog ever!
— Jane Hearn, Raleigh
Henry
Henry is 2 years old, and he loves going to the beach, golf cart rides, stealing kitchen towels and dad’s stinky socks. He has definitely loved having mom and dad home during quarantine. He sits on the porch all day and watches the golfers come by.
— Justin Sharpe, Cary
Blayden
Brody
Kona
Blayden, Brody and Kona
Brody is the youngest, just one year old. He leaps for joy and starts “singing“ as soon as my car turns in his driveway.
Blayden is more reserved. At 8 years old, he is not so much into leaping, but he has joined in the vocalizing. He has a most endearing nurturing behavior. If he hears you sneeze, he will run right over and jump up and study your face with great concern, until you reassure him that you are OK.
Kona is the old lady of the group at 11. Her whole body wiggles with delight when she sees me, and she is quite good at being first in line for a hug and a pet, even before the grandchildren or my daughter or son-in-law!
— Sue Buning, Cary
Gin and Tonic
Piper
Gin and Tonic
We adopted these brothers two years ago, after we had lost our Boo Kitty, and these boys healed our hearts. They roughhouse all the time and cuddle so cutely when it’s nap time. Tonic is more lively and is a definite mama’s boy. Gin is the gentleman of the pair and loves to hang out with my husband and oldest son. We love these guys and are so thankful they are a part of our family.
— Jennifer Smith, Apex
Piper
Piper is a 4-year-old English springer spaniel with a ton of personality! He is quite handsome and well behaved, although a bit hard headed at times. He is the center of the household, loves to swim, run in the woods, chase squirrels and rabbits, and be a most patient babysitter for our 2-year-old grandson. One of his funniest antics is that he takes himself outside at night to do his business, but carries a lit flashlight in his mouth so he can see where he is going. Pretty smart, huh?
— Barbara O’Cain & Dave Searcy, Cary
Fran
Fiona
Fran and Fiona
Fran the Frenchie and Fiona the English bulldog are both N.C. puppy mill rescues we’ve had for nine years.
— Jin and Heather Lee, Apex
Chance
Jordan
Drake
Chance, Jordan and Drake
Chance, a Lab mix, is 11 years old; Jordan the cat is 13; and Drake, an American Labrador, is 10. I rescued all of them at a year old. I’ve been a veterinary technician and worked in the field when I rescued Chance. I couldn’t afford his vet visits but knew I wanted to keep him, so I started working at the veterinary kennel. I love my pets but they all have some sort of medical problem that may affect their longevity.
— Jessica Luyben, Wilmington
Jazz
Misty
Jazz
Our sweet rescue cat Jazz likes to take naps in the sun. This morning it was a little bright.
— Beth Foley, Cary
Misty
Misty, our 3-year-old King Charles Cavalier spaniel, loves walking on our beautiful Cary greenways! She has been an incredible companion for us during pandemic isolation. We are seniors and so thankful for her unconditional love and the joy she has brought us.
— Gail and Jay Crosson, Cary
Cody and Charlie
Ted
Cody and Charlie
Cody and Charlie love exploring the Triangle with their human. Here they are enjoying a Holly Springs Salamander game at Ting Park!
— Abby Moody, Willow Spring
Ted
Ted gets a lot of attention cruising around town, soaking up the sun in his convertible. He even poses for photo ops at stoplights.
— Melissa Levesque, Leland, N.C.
Chloe Louise
Elvis
Chloe Louise
Miss Chloe Louise Ferguson is my 5-year-old Chihuahua rescue. As a senior widow, living alone at the time, Chloe rescued me two years ago. My fur baby gives me a reason to get up and walk every morning, and she never fails to let me know that I am her mommy and best friend. I only hope that I am as awesome as my Chloe thinks I am!
— Dianne Ferguson, Raleigh
Elvis
Elvis is a 7-year-old miniature poodle, who loves being the center of attention. His favorite place is snuggled next to his ‘mommy’ on the sofa. He loves to play with his friend Chloe Louise, a 5-year-old Chihuahua. The two of them enjoy running through the house and answering the door together.
— Kerry Ferguson, Raleigh
Bailey
Bailey
We think Our 8-year-old cockapoo Bailey is the cutest pet.
— Debbi and Tom Glossop, Apex
Bandit
Oscar
Oscar
Oscar is a tiny boy, about 6 pounds now and almost 6 months old. He thinks he’s a big boy and loves people and other dogs.
— Sarah Joyner, Cary
Bandit
Bandit is a 15-month-old husky. He loves being outside and hanging out with his mom. He is just a little crazy and wild, but he has the sweetest heart and loves making new friends!
— Emily Wilkins, Cary
What breed are Sage & Banks? They are adorable!