Gretchen, a Long-haired Brindle Dachshund, is 10 years old and was born in Missouri.   Appropriately, as the eldest and the only female - SHE is the “Alpha”.  Her favorite things are eating, barking, stealing socks, destroying all new toys…and giving Dan the cold shoulder.

Our animals are characters who alternately confound and delight us !

This month we bring you the three dogs of the Bottomley household:

Gretchen, Dan, and Paulie

Dan, a Cairn Terrier, age 9, found a loving home with the Bottomleys after being owned by a “mean “ lady for awhile.  He is very attached to Julie, his true love :-)  He has beds all over the house and uses ALL of them.  Dan has a few issues that need attention.  In fact, he’s pretty high-maintenance.

Paulie (given name is Paul Stanley - after the singer of KISS) is a Blue Tick Heeler, which is a type of Australian Cattle Dog.  He was found abandoned as a pup in the Mercado neighborhood and because the shelter was so full, the Bottomleys said they would keep him until an owner was found.  That was almost 4 years ago.  He is extremely intelligent - knows how to open and close all the doors in the house - and insists that you throw the ball…just one more time.

Gretchen and Dan’s big treat…lettuce !  Which they chew forever, strew around, and don’t eat !