Lab Pets
Bear
This is the Hassenstab family dog, Bear. He’s a good boy. He enjoys following people around the house, swimming, sneaking food, begging for food, eating food as quickly as possible, chewing up sticks, and unsuccessfully hunting rabbits and squirrels.
Ellie
This is Ellie. She is the Tahan’s second daughter. She goes by Ellie Belly when she’s being a good girl. She became part of the family in January 2020. She lived a ruff life on the streets before coming to her forever home. She’s a worried girl, but when she’s in her comfort zone, she is a drama queen. If she could speak, she would never stop. She demands love, cuddles, food, attention and trips to the back yard at all times. She loves her sister Zoe a little too much for her sanity and is the happiest girl when her whole family is giving her their undivided attention.
Leia and Yoda
Leia and Yoda are the Stout family’s sweet cats.
Leia, aka fluffy, has the world’s loudest purr. She enjoys being petted only where and when she wants, drinking water off the shower curtain, and getting baths from Yoda. Having her nails clipped is terrifying to her but so very necessary.
Yoda is a laidback cat who is much better at putting up with the hands of small children. She loves snuggling, sleeping, eating, and eating some more. Being scared of things is beneath her.
Pippa
Pippa is the elder of Sarah Adams’ two cats. She is a purebred North American Bush Torbie, which is an imaginary breed of cat Sarah invented as an answer to the question, “what kind of cat is that”. Sarah adopted her after Pippa showed up as a stray on the farm where Sarah worked while in college. Pippa is extremely talkative, a picky eater, and a drama queen. Her hobbies include eating, sleeping in weird positions, and acting. You may be familiar with her critically acclaimed work as “Starving Orphan”, a role in which she gives a dramatic performance outside Sarah’s bedroom door every morning.
Voxel
Voxel is the younger of Sarah Adams’ two cats. He is the world’s only known purebred Bicolor Appalachian Mouser (there aren’t any others because this breed is also imaginary). When he was a tiny kitten, Sarah picked him up off the side of the road, where he was sitting like a hitchhiker or a lost cooler. His manners are atrocious and Sarah thought she raised him better, but he also plays fetch with the plastic rings off of milk jugs, which makes him fun at parties. His hobbies include eating, sleeping, and snuggling (but only when it was his idea). People often ask why he looks like he is angry at them, but that is just his face and it is kind of rude to keep pointing it out.
Zoe
This is Zoe. The Tahan’s firstborn. She was born in Utah where her parents are from. She made the trip to Missouri when her dad got into grad school in St. Louis and moved the family to the Midwest. She misses Utah’s cooler and dryer weather and doesn’t understand why she can’t take her coat off in the summer or take hikes in the mountains anymore. She’s terrified of water and anything that moves, even her shadow. Her parents believe she was a chicken in her past life. She loves her mom the most and only listens to her. She knows she can get away with not listening to her dad. She is a smarty and a beauty.
T’Challa
T’Challa “Choo Choo” Symonds is Leslie’s only son. He was named after a few tufts of white hair on his neck that resemble the Black Panther necklace. Adopted from Tenth Life rescue in 2019, we think he’s about 2 years old and his vet thinks he “has a weight problem.” He enjoys food, being held for 7 seconds, and falling asleep on you right when you need to get up. He is a sweet boy who always runs to the door when you come home, and he will let you kiss his head.
Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones “Indy” Symonds is Leslie’s only daughter. She was found during the last frost of 2019, shivering on the second story balcony, and was so named for her bravery. She’s about 3 years old, very small, and too pretty. She is the protector of the family: keeping watch in windows, attending trips to the bathroom, and catching (at least 2!) mice. She’s a classy lady who makes you earn her love, and we wouldn’t have her any other way.
Oshie
Oshie is a tiny, five-pound, 13-year-old Yorkshire terrier that Jennie has had the privilege of snuggling since he was six weeks old. He is chill, especially for his breed, and loves to lay in the sun. “Osh” loves to take a mouthful of food from his bowl, zoom to the living room and scatter it across the rug to play with before he eats. Oshie has approximately five teeth left, and his tongue sticks out the front of his mouth when he sleeps, enhancing his charm exponentially. He’s the bestest boy!
Cami and Noodle
Cami and Noodle are Jessica’s two troublemakers. Noodle is a tortie who enjoys snoring, talking back to mom, and cackling at birds. Cami is a tabby who likes making biscuits, drinking leftover cereal milk, and splooting.