I decided to start with my own friend, Cassie, as the first dog of the month. She is a Cardigan Corgi and I have had her ten years, since she was two. The breeder who had her said her toes turned out too much for showing so both she and I lucked out and now we have each other. She is my constant companion,sitting with me in my studio while I work; going to the barn to feed the horses; and making me take a long walk every day. I love the Cardigan. They are devoted and charming and have the most endearing look when they have just dug a hole in your yard. She has one funny foible... she likes to hide or cover up her food dish. She will get a newspaper or a dish towel and put over it, or push it under a chair or table. My sweet Cassie, I love her.

Wonder Why was given to me for my birthday several years ago. His father was my daughter Jessica's beautiful dark bay Oldenburg stallion and his mom was a charming little part arab palomino mare owned by a friend. When he was born everyone was shocked to see he was appaloosa... hence the name "Wonder Why". (Must be his mom's other "part"). I love Appies... and Wonder just stole my heart. He has the most amusing personality; always ready to do "something" "anything"... he is ready! He is a big teddy bear. Right now he lives at my daughter's Dressage training barn where he will hopefully learn to be a show horse extraordinaire.

I have to begin with my precious Marybeth. She is the cat of a lifetime. About 19 years ago we had taken in a lovely wild tortie and named her Marie. She was quite wild and elusive and pregnant. I put her in my basement to contain her while she had her kittens so I could tame them. I love Torties... they are my very favorites... each so unique. I always knew one day my Marybeth would come... a special tortie. I knew just what she would look like. When Marie had her litter I reached in for a tiny tortie and held her close. "Marybeth, you have come, my Marybeth". She has her basket by my computer and she sits in it and reachs out with her paw to grab my hand. She likes to be next to me wherever I am, always asking for attention, always purring, always ready to pat my hand, listen to my problems, and occassionally if she is in the mood, bite me. She loves guests and will climb all over them and expects adulation. If she really likes you she will chomp down on your hand and look at you with her "look". She is my rock. I tell her every day she is "my little kitten", my special Marybeth. I hope we still have many years together.

I could not start the pet of the month series without including our precious Jasper (Mistrettas Jasper Jacobson). Jasper joined our family 8 years ago as a baby and has been the center of our daily life ever since (much to Cassie's dismay) he is a blue merle, blue eyed Australian Shepherd and as smart as smart can be. He is always ready to do anything at all. In the Aussie handbook they tell you if you don't want company every waking and sleeping second of your life do not get an Aussie... and I am here to tell you they are not kidding. They are a 24/7 dog. Attentive, smart, helpful,sometimes too helpful but always loving and caring. Luckily we work at home so we are always with our dogs, I would not recommend an Aussie to anyone who worked a ten hour day away from home. Jasper is very funny, always telling jokes, always ready to play, always has an opinion. He will not, however, do the laundry or cook. Can't have everything I guess.