Cats. Dogs. Kids.

We have two wonderful pets in our home: Mystic (cat) and Jackson (dog). Both pets were adoptions and if you've never adopted a pet, we are advocates!

Mystic was adopted from the SPCA in Gaithersburg MD. She came to us as a kitten and now enjoys spending her time laying on a mat on our dining room table to soak up the sun. From her vantage point she can also see the birds, chipmunks, people and cars going by. A favorite of hers is to be brushed, endlessly. We can brush her 10 times a day and there's always a brush full of fur. The kitty just LOVES to snuggle with Adam and can be found by his side whenever he sits on the couch (awake or sleeping as you'll see below).

Jackson was added to our family after the boys and Joe had longed for years to add a dog to our home. While Joe was working from home, a companion during the day also was a welcome addition. We found him on the internet through Pet Finder. The organization that we adopted from is called "Furry Friends Network". Jackson was rescued from the humane society in West Virginia and raised by the Beard family as a foster pet. We picked him up in Dillsburg, PA, and he is the sweetest dog. He immediately did "puppy" things by taking a full bite out of Joe's leather shoe, eating up clothes and socks. Mason has bonded closely with Jack and Jackson sleeps on Mason's bed every night.

Each year, we donate to the two organizations who helped bring these loving pets to our home. Joe and I would encourage you remember charities you have benefited from such as Furry Friends and SPCA. Here are pictures of Adam and Mason with the pets: