Home:

This is where I currently live. I've been here for about 10 years.

The house was originally designed as a 2-family and technically, my friend Don lives upstairs and I live downstairs, but the living areas are separated by only a staircase. We basically share the house and the animals are welcome throughout.

   
The front yard.

This isn't the best photo of the yard, but it shows a closer view of the picket fence.

A chipmunk had run into the drain pipe and was driving Misty crazy.

This is our little vacation home in Hillsville, VA. We're having some remodeling done and they had just added the dormers before I took this photo (hence the ladders in the picture).
   
Here's what I love about the Hillsville house. This is the view from the front yard.

It's only about a mile from town, but it's surrounded by farms and countryside.
   
This is the side yard and our closest neighbor's home.

 

I love my pets dearly and make every effort to keep them happy and healthy:

Bess and Misty at Lackawanna State Park.
   

The girls in the yard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Misty in the truck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
Misty had a back problem several years ago and was unable to walk. We bought her this buggy so she could continue to enjoy her daily outings.
   
We had to keep her confined when she had her back problem, so we bought this baby crib to limit her activity. She was actually yawning here, but she reminds me of a wailing baby.
   
Her back was better when this photo was taken, but she's not up for the full 2 1/2 mile walk around Lake Lynn (Raleigh, NC). We take her buggy along so she can ride when she gets tired.
   

My dear Bess, in the front yard.
   

Bess at Lackawanna State Park.

Christmas morning. I have no children, so everything you see is for the girls! This was before I realized the dangers of rawhide (choking and intestinal blockages), so I now find alternate "busy" treats. Note how trim Misty looks here (back when she was more active).

 

At the risk of seeming crazy...my home is filled with artwork honoring my pets:

This is one of my favorite pieces and I always say the first thing I'd grab in the event of a fire (after the pets were safe, of course!)

Bess created this masterpiece with fingerpaint. (Misty wouldn't cooperate in the project.)
   
This is another one of my favorite art pieces. It hangs on my bedroom wall.
   
This shows Bess' clay pawprint.

The German Shepherd in the photo is Sparky, a wonderful dog I loved growing up.
   

A river rock painted to look like Bess.
   

Bess' rock really captures her personality.
   
Some of the other rocks I've had done: Simon, Bess, and Misty.
   
This is an oil painting I had done of Bess. The same artist is currently working on an oil portrait of Misty.
   
This is a watercolor of Bess, done by Carol Wells - an exceptional  artist and wonderful person.
   

Another work by Carol.
   
This is a charcoal drawing of Bess on my "angel" shelf (she's surrounded by angel figurines).
   
On the angel shelf...an angel figurine reaching out toward a dog that looks somewhat like Bess.
   
Another Bess picture, in the "knick knack" cabinet.
   
A lamp shade painted with portraits of my pets.
   
An angel Simon I had commissioned. I'm currently having a portrait done of both Bess and Simon as angels.
   

A portrait of Misty by Carol Wells.
   
An angel looking over photos of Bess and Simon.
   

Cherubs surrounding Bess.
   

By the front door.
   

An Olan Mills portrait, on my TV.
   

Another Olan Mills portrait.
   
Hanging in the office: this was when Bess won the "Kibbles and Bits Dog of the Month" contest - quite a feat considering she didn't eat the food!