Katie

I’m a Spirit Dog now, but I’m the one who started this whole Dog Pearls thing.  I left for Dog Heaven on March 12, 2008, not long before my 14th birthday.  My leaving was with so much grace, depth and peace that it really affected my family.  Then Mom had a vision of me that will become one of the first Pearls.  You won't see me, but I'll be in it anyway, and I'm excited about that!

I was a pretty mix of black lab and some kind of spaniel.  I had already been in four “homes” by the time I was eight months old, and I did NOT like to be confined.  My family met me on a cold, rainy night, and they couldn’t forget my gentle lick and cute face.  They were looking for a dog after their first dog Rainbow died.  They had already heard about Eli, a fancy breeder's shy young Golden Retriever with a heart murmur and unusually short legs.   

They adopted Eli first, but they couldn’t stop thinking about me.  Eli and I were buddies from the instant we met, but I was always the alpha dog, even though I was younger and smaller. I taught Eli how to overcome his fears and have more fun.  Then Mitch found us soon after I turned two.  We three dogs and the three cats all got along great.

Eli became a Spirit Dog about four years before I did.  He’s here with me now, along with Rainbow (she’s SO cool!) and my cat buddy Toby, who became a Spirit Cat in July, and lots of other family and friends.  Because I’m an alpha soul, I’m still actively involved with my family and with that new puppy Gracie.  Boy, does she ever need my guiding paw!

Story by Katie & Linda McLean.  Photos by Jim Stokoe.

Mitch

I’m originally from another planet, but I’m supposed to keep that a secret, okay?  I’m 12½ years old and am probably collie mixed with English setter or Borzoi.  I was about eight months old when I found my mom Linda and dad Jim walking Katie and Eli.  I walked home with them and went straight up to their door, ready to move in.  I was full of fleas and chewed things a lot, so they put me in the dog yard, where my yelping made the neighbors complain.  So I got a bath and a vet check and came into the house. 

They looked hard for who lost me.  I wasn’t house trained, but I was unusually pretty and so funny, they were sure someone was looking for me.  By the end of three weeks, I was already part of their family, and it was too late to turn back.  I‘m really happy here and never-ever run off – I don’t want to be lost again. 

Katie was my best friend in the whole world, and it’s been hard for me to let her go, but I’m doing well now.  She’s still trying to boss me… it’s kinda nice, actually.  And I love our new puppy Gracie, pesky as she can be… she makes me feel young again... she's like a new "leash" on life!       

Story by Mitch & Linda McLean.  Photos by Jim Stokoe.

Aslan (Oz)

I am also a Spirit Dog now.  I was a beautiful white German Shepherd who came into the lives of Mitch and his family when my mom Dana offered me as support during Katie's illness.  She felt I really needed to be of service.  Though I was 105 pounds and a very large presence, I managed to make Mitch and all the other animals comfortable the very first time I visited them.  Toby the cat, who supposedly did not warm up to strangers, even came up to me to talk.  Mitch's mom Linda said she was touched by my profoundly calm, mystical energy.  After Katie died, though Linda had just envisioned Mitch taking Katie's place in the first Pearl, she kept seeing me running that ridgeline, too. 

What no one else knew is that I was already ill when we met, and I died May 8, 2008.  My sister and mate Sophia, who lived far away, also died about the same time. 

I WAS meant to run that ridgeline, and my Spirit will be a big part of the energy of the first Pearls. 

Tucker

I am a 9 year old white German Shepherd who lost both my parents, Aslan and Sophia, in May 2008.  I had not been as gentle and calm as my dad, but everyone said I seemed to take on his energy at a Little Pearls event just two days after he died.  Even Dr. Willie, who is usually scared of big dogs, liked me, and so did the wild screech owl and hawk who came, too.

I proudly stood in for my dad on that mountaintop "shoot" and it was really, really fun to run free with my little Lucy and the other dogs. 

But I haven't felt well lately.  I really miss my dog parents, yet I want to stay with my human mom Dana and the rest of my family for as long as I can.  Keep me in your special dog prayers, please.

11-14-08: Tucker joined Aslan and Sophia as a Spirit Dog, surrounded by his human, canine and parrot family, at his new home in Tampa, Florida, with help from Dr. Steve La Due. We'll all miss him, and he'll take our breath away in the first Dog Pearls.

Story by Tucker, Dana Gatlin Hoffman & Linda McLean.  Photos by Dana Gatlin Hoffman, Jim Stokoe and Pamela Stringer.

Lucy

I am a 1 ½ year old Boxer mix.  My mom found me as a puppy, running around loose in the streets.  I'm funny and full of energy, and I can bounce like a rabbit!  I'm the pup in the lead with Lola, Gracie and Tucker in the photo below.  I love my big brother Tucker and all the rest of my family sooo much!

Lola

My name is Lola.  I'm an 8 month old puppy.  I think I'm a lab and pit bull mix, but who really knows?  My mom adopted me from a friend of hers whose rescue dogs unexpectedly had puppies.  Despite my chewing tendencies, I'm so much fun to be around.  I love a good snuggle, long walks and fetch sessions.  I'm a little shy when other dogs aren't around, but let me loose in the dog park and I go nuts!

I look like a grown up in this picture, but I was only five months old then - I think I'm going to be big!

Story by Lola & Pamela Stringer.  Photo by Pamela Stringer.

Dog Stars, appearing in the order they were filmed

September/October 2008 - Asheville, Weaverville and Black Mountain, NC

Twiggy

I'm a 2½ year old standard poodle, sometimes called Twigs.  I'm an only dog and live with three cats and Ruthy and Ross Fricke.  I enjoy at-home weekly pedicures and monthly haircuts.  My young life is filled with dog training; play dates, especially with Wiley, my Malamute buddy; and doggy day care twice a week at “You Work, I’ll Play” to keep me stimulated while my people work.  

Unlike most of the family dogs before me, I am not a rescue. Yet my mom and dad say I rescue them daily when they’re worried, stressed, or sad.  My soulful stare, crazy antics and quirky behavior put smiles on their faces.  I have never growled or met a dog, cat or person I didn’t want as a friend.  If I could get away with drinking out of the toilet bowl, life would be even better! 

Story by Twiggy & Ruthy Fricke.  Photo by Linda McLean.

Boo

I'm a rescued, neutered male, just like my best buddies Kennedy and Kane.  Our mom and grandmom Julia Nooe, who has long been involved in rescues of Golden Retrievers and many other dogs, says she can’t imagine people having only one dog, since we get so much out of being with each other.  On most days, we all get a 3 mile walk to keep us healthy. 

I came first and Mom says I was a heartbreaker:  a neglected, feral-like Golden Retriever.  No eye contact, no holding, no leash.  I came from a kind of puppy mill.  I was not a cute, funny, playful dog, so no one adopted me.  Someone told Julia about me through Foothills Golden Retriever Rescue.  I really needed a lot of help leaning how to trust people, but slowly, I came around.  Now I'm a love bug!  I am named Boo Radley after a character in To Kill a Mockingbird.  I still gets scared easily.  I just turned 6 and am prematurely gray - but handsome, too.  Julia got my doggie mom Sophie and sister Lily out of the puppy mill and into a good life, too - that makes me happy.

Kane

I was going to be put out on the street at age 1 – my family just didn't want me anymore.  I am now almost 2.  Julia's son asked if he could bring me home for fostering, and the rest is history.  I am totally deaf and think I was born deaf, but I make up for it with my sharp nose and great eye contact.  I have had lots of separation anxiety issues and love always being with my two golden brothers.  Grandma Julie says I'm so precious, I make her want to advocate for pit bulls and pit bull mixes.  I probably have some bulldog in me, too.  I LOVE to play hard with Kennedy and I love people, too!

Story by Kane, Julia Nooe & Linda McLean.  Photo by Linda McLean.

Laika

I'm mostly German Shepherd, but might be part Siberian Husky, too.  I'm going on five years old, so I am still young enough to remember the day that my Dad walked in to the pound.  I'd been locked up for about 10 days -- they called me Lacey there.  Dad had come back because he was thinking about adopting another dog, but he saw me outside.  The nice volunteer walking me told him that I was her favorite, and potty trained, too (it was hard to learn, but it really paid off for me that day, though Dad wasn't sure about leaving the other doggie behind at first).  He came in to see the other dog again, but just then, there was a small noise, and the other dog started yapping very loudly.  I've always been a little quiet and shy, and even now I only bark when a person or animal visits the house.

Dad was impressed with me and my training, and I liked him, too, so now we live together.  I have a Mom, too, that I visit every other weekend.  I get lots of treats, have a house to myself, a Dad who works at home and a yard, so I'm pretty content.  I want to be a therapy dog when I grow up, because I like being a social butterfly and it is nice when everyone tells me how pretty I am. 

Story by Laika & Mark Goldstein.  Photo by Alpine Photography.

Chai

Many years ago, my mom Wil had an Old English Sheepdog Della, who shared her life for fifteen years.  After Della traveled on to the spirit world, Mom had no interest in having another dog EVER.  But one night, twelve years later, Della appeared in a dream and said it was OK to get another dog (really!).  For two weekends, mom walked through the shelter.  It was heart-wrenching, but she felt no connection with any pup.  The second weekend, as puppies clambered at the cage doors, she saw a little white dog laying in the back of a cage - me!  She says I looked so worried.  She thought, "Don't worry, you're coming with me."  I stood up and looked at her, thinking "It's about time...."  I'm supposed to be part Jack Russell terrier/part Dalmatian... a good guess, since I'm short and all white with black spots on my ears.  I hardly bark and am really laid back. 

Mom and I have been together since October of 1999, so I'm about 9 years old.  From the beginning, I went to "work" with Mom at a book distributor and became the greeter for all visitors.  At the first Mixed Breed Doggie Show, I won first place in the small dog category and Best of Show, too!  Everyone says I have a great calming, healing presence.  Mom calls me her "Zen dog".  When she had to change jobs, I went to work on my own as a greeter at the chiropractic and acupuncture office next door.  I can always tell who needs me most, and I'm always gentle.    

Charley

Yeah, I have a rough life. One day when my (future) Mom stopped to ask for directions way out in Madison County, I hopped right through her car window and into her lap, and then her heart.

Here I am looking beautiful and that is my bruvver Charley. This is my sister Cricket who disappeared six years ago but we are still looking for her and if you ever see her please email my mommy at julie@wncwoman.com.

Freya

I am a famous dawg too... my daddy used to be David Cohen and I was in lots of his cartoons. You can see more of me at my mommy's dog website. Here is one of daddy David's cartoons of me.

Rosie

I am vewwy vewwy cute. I was just born this summer and I have a bruvver named Axel. This is one of my people... I live down the street from Charley, Anna and Freya.

Stories by Charley, Anna, Freya & Rosie with Julie Parker.  Photos also by Julie Parker.

Story by Ponder & Martha Abraham.  Photo from Martha Abraham & Gary Rawlins.

Ponder

I am a 4½ year old Spanish Water Dog.  There are times in your life when serendipity presents itself and you just say, "Thank you".  Well, here is my serendipitous tale!  Martha was visiting the vet with her Weimeraner, Henry, when she stumbled across my cute little 6 week old sister Marlie.  She was wearing out the owner with questions when the lady explained that my dog parents had come from Spain along with their teenage people to live with their mother in Asheville.  So the nice lady got her teenage sons back but she also inherited 2 dogs and 5 puppies in a short amount of time….  Her thought: “Get these dogs outa here!”  She then explained that one more puppy was up for grabs.  Now Martha was on a mission and came immediately to my house.  I took one look at this lady and barked ”Take me!  Take me!”  She scooped me up and exclaimed “Boy, he is a shoe polish brown chocolate bundle of trouble!"  Oh no!  Did I overdo the introduction? 

Martha asked if she could take this little fur ball (me!) out on approval, in the hopes that Gary would fall in love.  WHEW!  I made it past the first audition.   Before we got out of the car, Gary said ”He’s a keeper!”  I said…SUCKER!  (You see….I know how cute I am).   And the rest is history.  I joined King Henry and served as Prince of the Bed and Breakfast at Ponder Cove.  He taught me everything I needed to know to dazzle guests.   Henry is no longer with us to enjoy my antics, but I know he’d be proud. Mom and Dad remind me everyday that I am one special pup and I think I have to admit that I am one lucky pup!

Friday

I am a fox terrier/hound mix (!) about 12 years old - maybe older.  My name is Friday, and I'm the luckiest dog in the neighborhood.  My Mom found me standing in the middle of the road, after I ran away from an owner who rescued me from Yancey County but didn't really like me. 

I'm an old guy, but I'm so very grateful to have a good home.  My job in the family is to guard against killer squirrels and make sure all furry critters co-exist in peace and harmony.  Just call me NAMASTE PUP!

Story by Friday & Marlisa Mills.  Photo by Marlisa Mills.

Weazie

I was abandoned as a puppy - at the vet's, after expensive surgery.  My Mom found me at an antique store, where a nice lady took me in.  I came home on a "trial" basis - and here I stayed! 

Although I'm the youngest and newest member of the family, I'm loud, tenacious, and very happy.  I am a special needs pup, however, with lots of medical issues.  But that's ok - what I lack in normalcy, I make up for in cuteness!

Okay, so sometimes I don't have a good hair day...

... and sometimes I do!

Story by Weazie & Marlisa Mills. "Before and After" photos by Marlisa Mills.