Pets!
Our pets hold a special place in our hearts—and these pictures prove it. Paws for a moment as you peruse this year’s pictorial of local animal companions.
Conrad
“Conrad was a character for sure. He had a lot of issues, but his good overshadowed his bad.”—Janice Lawson
Conrad
Tuck, Cider, & Stitch
“We live on a farm in Apple Hill and all our animals’ favorite treat is actually apples!”—Becka Kelsey
Cider
Tuck
Stitch
Jasper
“He’s not classically cute; in fact, he has an underbite, a wonky ear, he is pigeon toed, and smells bad pretty much all the time. But his personality wins over everyone. All he wants is to love and be loved.” —Martin Family
Jasper
Jax
“Jax is a six-year-old Australian shepherd and is the office mascot at Granite Bay Dermatology and Laser Center where his professional duties include building security, document shredding, delivery inspection, and break time comfort. He greets his work family with a smile and a wag, and we just love him!” —Granite Bay Dermatology and Laser Center
Jax
Mable
“Mable is seven months old and weighs 80 pounds. She loves squirrels and birds, but they don’t really care for her much.” —Matricia Haigood
Mable
Ryder
“Our beloved little golden, Ryder, loves hiking, swimming, and annoying the house cat! His favorite toy is his floating buoy stick—we toss it in the pool for him and he launches himself in!”—Liz & Brennan
Ryder
Pickles
“Pickles loves to nibble on fingers, chew on her toys, snuggle, and run at the park.”—Danielle McKnight
Pickles
Chloe
“Chloe is a social butterfly and loves her daily walks and play dates at the park. A true mountain dog, she loves snow, sitting on your feet, and attention from everyone.”—Debbie Bettencourt
Chloe
Daisy
“Daisy had the whole family wrapped around her paw from day one. She’s very social, loves everyone, and her favorite hobby is catching lizards.” —Heidi Zandian
Daisy
Gidget
“Gidget fits her name: She is a character—even when she sleeps! A constant comedian. Her favorite toy currently is her panda, and if I tell her I’m getting panda, she runs to find it before I do!”—Eve Freitas-Shrum
Gidget
Rudi
“Rudi was rescued from the pound and loves to run and play, but his favorite thing is snuggling.”
—Marie Schmudlach
—Marie Schmudlach
Rudi
Laverne
“Laverne is 16 years old and is the empress of everything!” —Lori Teach
Laverne
Buddy
“Buddy loves to play, play, and play, then rest, relax, and renew!” —Gary & Pat Johnson
Buddy
Hollywood
“Hollywood is a rescue from NorCal Freedom Paws. He shares a birthday with my great-grandfather, HJ Whitely, who is known as the ‘Father of Hollywood.’” —Gaelyn Whitley Keith
Hollywood
Drake & Stella
“Drake and Stella are best friends! They also both love our two rescue cats.” —Tina Petersen
Drake & Stella
Biscuit
“Biscuit loves being with people! Here he is at a gathering at the Folsom Veterans Hall.”—Marie Gonzales
Biscuit
Buddha
“Buddha earned his name as he is very fond of belly rubs!”—Kris Andersen
Buddha
Griffey
“Griffey loves all things water: pools, lakes, ice cubes, and even the water bowl at the dog park. Does not love: no longer being the only child.” —Thompson Family
Griffey
Josie
“Josie is 10 and is still as bossy as ever. She rules our house and can clear a room with her gas.”—Hale Family
Josie
Jake
“Jake is one years old and is a real sweetheart. He loves everyone.” —Lori Teach
Jake
Monkey
“Monkey started out life with the name Rufus, but it very quickly changed to Monkey when he started climbing everything in sight…including me!” —Deborah Andersen
Monkey
Wiggles, Frank, Lila, & Angel
“I have quite the animal pack: Wiggles and Frank are the Boston terriers, Lila is the pitty, and Angel is the horse.” —Alexis Reynolds
Wiggles & Frank
Lila
Angel
Misty
“Misty is nine years old and we adopted her from the SPCA. She loves napping and bird-watching, and meows when ready for treats!”—Rowe Family
Misty
Olivia
“Olivia is a 12-year-old English cream golden retriever we adopted from Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue. She still enjoys short walks around the neighborhood and daily treats!”—Rowe Family
Olivia
Daisy & Pearl
“Daisy is a silver pug and Pearl’s mom. She loves short walks and sleeping on laps. Pearl loves playing fetch and tormenting her mom.”—Lachance Family
Daisy
Pearl
Brinley
“Brinley loves her morning walks where she meets up with her dog friends, but especially loves visiting seniors at senior living facilities all over the area.”—Kris Allen
Brinley
Bogart & Copper
“Bogart and Copper love to visit all the historic areas in Folsom.”—Myrian Liberman
Bogart & Copper
Harlow
“Harlow loves playing tug of war, saying hi to strangers, puppicinos, and visiting her French bulldog friends at the dog park.” —Kristin Bronson
Milo
“Milo is a three year old tabby that we adopted after his owner passed away. His favorite toy is a ball of tin foil, and he’s notorious for counter surfing!” —Allyson Vander Broek
Winston
“Winston is a bearded dragon and loves to warm himself in the sun and eat mealworms. He’s named after Winston Churchill.” —Christina Preston
Winston
Brewster
“Brewster, aka Bruce, loves pruning the bushes (digging holes) and on warm days spends most of his time standing in the pool like a hippo.” —Higgins Family
Brewster
Jett Jindo
“Jett Jindo is a pretty boy who loves celebrating the Fourth of July!” —Shelley & Bruce Martell
Jett Jindo
Lucky
“Lucky loves hearing that magical four-letter word: walk!”—Eric & Ruth Cieri
Lucky
Rocky
“Rocky is our ‘Italian Stallion’ but usually loses his fights with skunks. He’s been sprayed 10 times over the years.” —Belinda Basca
Rocky
Dr. Shadow
“Here is Dr. Shadow demonstrating his healing paws at Hall Chiropractic!” —Hall Chiropractic
Dr. Shadow
Turtle & Goldie
“Turtle and Goldie are polar opposites and best friends.” —Emily & Mikey Corey
Turtle & Goldie
Wilson
“Wilson is a mellow pit bull terrier. He loves his daily walks and the cheese stick he gets after dinner.”
—Leanne Burnfield
—Leanne Burnfield
Wilson
Sherman & Sonny Jo
“Sherman loves being rocked to sleep then sounding off snores throughout the house. Sonny Jo has a box full of dog toys but prefers to play with toilet paper rolls!” —Sherria Bloskas & Sean Barry
Sherman & Sonny Jo
Zeke
“Zeke loves everyone and every dog! His favorite snack is a peanut butter- and kibble-filled Kong.”—Lorrie Papadakis
Zeke
Fozzie Bear & Olive
“Foz loves hiking, chasing squirrels, and is known for stealing snacks. Olive loves kisses, holding hands, and squeaky toys. They are besties.”—Heidi Steklis & Rob Ross
Fozzie Bear & Olive
Rocket & Sophie
“Rocket and Sophie are miniature American shepherds who love playing ball, car rides, naps, and posing for pictures.” —Susan Lyttge
Rocket & Sophie
Buddha
“Buddha truly is a Buddha and literally wouldn’t harm a fly. He’d be devastated if he found out he wasn’t a vegetarian!” —Christina Bayo
Buddha
Chowder
“Chowder the chow chow loves playing in the grass, going to the dog park, chasing birds, and most of all, belly rubs!” —Ash Shams
Chowder
Bailey & Bruce
“Bailey and Bruce are rescues who no one wanted due to their size. But they are a sweet-natured pair who love belly rubs, playing fetch, and walks.” —Dave & Thelma White
Bailey & Bruce
Teddy
“Teddy is a rambunctious Australian golden doodle who loves to jump everywhere, walk the trails, and make new friends.”—Anna Rashidi
Teddy
Ruby & Belle
“I’m retired so I drive Ruby and Belle to a different park and go on a two-hour walk seven days a week…rain or shine. It’s the best part of our day!”—Carol Ritter
Ruby & Belle
Apollo
“Apollo is three-quarters Siberian husky and one-quarter Pomeranian (don’t ask how that happened!). He loves sticking a paw in the American River and looking at the deer and turkeys.”
—Maratas Family
—Maratas Family
Apollo
Pepper
“Pepper loves to go on walks, be chased, and lie around all day.” —Maria Garcia
Pepper
Luna
“Luna is our cuddly but energetic pandemic puppy. She loves playing Frisbee and always takes a flying leap when returning it.” —Christopher & Angelica Ha
Luna
Dexter
“Dexter was easy to train because he is motivated by food. He wants to eat all day and loves his Himalayan cheese stick chews.” —Brenda Davis
Dexter
Teddy
“Teddy talks to us, he fetches, and will do tricks to entertain! He is so incredibly soft, so very smart, and runs to the door to greet guests. He chose us, he runs the show, and we are so grateful for his love!” —Janine Chaffee
Teddy
Bruiser
“Bruiser loves to play ball and he loves people. We came up with his name by just looking at his face. He is the sweetest big guy you will ever meet!” —Casey & Tammy Davis
Bruiser
compiled by EMILY PETER-COREY