I am lucky to have two amazing rescue dogs to spend my life with and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Indu, a mixed-breed pup rescued from a puppy mill, is a blue-eyed, blond-haired beauty with a mind of her own. I adopted her when she was just eight weeks old from the North Shore Animal League. She has grown up to be an independent, smart pooch who knows exactly how to get what she wants, whether it be being fed promptly at 8AM/6PM or walked at a certain time in the afternoon. She loves to hike, take long naps, spend a considerable amount of time in her backyard, and keep a watchful eye on the neighborhood. Even at a senior age, she bounces over above ground roots/logs and keeps a steady pace on the trails in all seasons. She is drawn to men and especially loves her grand dad and her papa, cozying up to them for belly rubs and initiating playtime. Indu’s reputation precedes her: she has a recipe “Indu’s Chicken” by The Dog Chef, a drink named “Indu on the Beach” concocted specifically with her eyes in mind, and a hybrid SUV that bears her name. She’s one special pooch and she knows it.

Andy, on the other hand, is the opposite of Indu in so many ways. This adorable mutt joined our family later in his life, having been a stray in Georgia. We don’t know how old he is, but we know he survived heartworm disease and led a rough life before becoming a cherished member of our family. He now enjoys the finer things in life, like plush blankets, gourmet homemade food, and comfy beds in all the rooms of the house. He is mama’s dog to the core, always following me like a shadow or curled up next to me while I work. It was love at first sight when I found him at the Best Friends Animal Society‘s Super Adoption event in New York City in 2016.

While Indu loves playing with toys, Andy prefers the company of humans. We call him the Mayor and Indu a diva. Together, they are the yin and the yang of our family that brighten each day of our lives and bring endless joy to everyone who crosses their paths.

Here are some life lessons from our precious pooches…