Noah
Noah’s floppy ears are one of the few things that separate him from identifying as a sloth. An English Cocker/American Cocker mix, he came to live with Cindy and her daughter as a puppy. He got into normal puppy trouble. He earned his name when Cindy would come upon messes in the house and she’d say, “No! Ah!” Always quick, her daughter said, “Why don’t we call him Noah?”
Noah gave Cindy comfort when they moved to the Pacific Northwest, leaving the familiar behind. He’s been a hiking buddy, a travel companion, and a muse. Although these days he prefers the couch to long walks, he’s still glued to Cindy’s side.
Maya
Maya was a shelter dog. Her previous owners brought Maya and her sister, Mia, to the shelter because they constantly escaped from their yard. Mia was adopted first, and Maya was alone until Cindy and her teenage daughter found her. Maya quickly showed her mischievous, or some would say, cunning, side. Afraid of anything with wheels, she destroyed a leather couch and loveseat, ate through kennels (plastic and metal) and consumed anything within reach, including a wasp nest, a pound of coffee beans, and a glass mason jar of chili sauce.
She often regrets her decisions when she pays the price several hours later, sometimes with a trip to the ER. But her memory is short and she’s always up for her next adventure. Still alive and kicking at sixteen, the joke is that she is not mortal. She’s a love though and hopefully she’ll break longevity records. When her time does come, her tombstone will say “Worth it!”