He was wide-eyed, his mouth opened a tad more than necessary to express his disbelief, and I was thinking if there was a strait jacket nearby, he would gladly wrap me up in it and deliver me to the nearest asylum. He was the new manager at my friend’s condo development and he was trying to sell me on a lease.

“Sorry, I couldn’t move here,” I said, “you don’t allow pets.”

“Oh, well we’re going to be changing that policy soon,” he replied with a big smile, “what kind of pet do you have?”

“Two cats, a bird, and a dog.” I said, and that’s when I got the ‘ooo-kkkkay crazy lady’ look and that was the end of that conversation.

If you have 3 or more pets I’m sure someone has given you that look before. It’s the same look I give people when they tell me they have 3 or more kids, ha ha, we all judge based on our own level of tolerance.

I can’t imagine how many times Darcy has gotten this look, even I was guilty of the same shock when she booked her first photo session with me last year. Now, I have to publicly apologize because this lady takes better care of her furbabies than most people do of their 2-legged children!

Walking into Darcy’s immaculate house sends a different kind of shock pulsing through me; I am a total friggin’ slob, I think, there are 3x as many pets here but I could eat off of this floor!

Ruffles was the star of our photo session. Just look at the smile on her face as she looks up at her mommy – it’s beyond obvious that she adores Darcy. At 11 years old she still has the energy to run across the ginormous yard at top speed.

Left: Ruffles with a big ole smile Right: Ruffles running to her favorite person

Holly the ham never frowns at my camera, she always gives me that happy grin… I’m sure the treats don’t hurt though!

Holly hamming it up for the camera.

Candy and Spike, the shepherd siblings, are always face-first in the snow. These two really crack me up! While Candy is busy circling trees, Spike is bouncing around the yard like a jackrabbit. Until you throw Spike’s “baby,” then it’s a race through the snow and an invitation to play.

Left: Candy poses with Darcy Right: Spike stops his snow sniffing for a cookie

Pooh Bear is Darcy’s constant companion – wherever she is, he better be able to follow! Even if the snow is taller than he is, he. will. make it.

Last, but certainly not least, is Rocky. He’s the handsome shorty with all the muscles. This boy has a mouth like a manatee; you wouldn’t even know he has teeth when you give him a treat. Squeezing those cheeks again is high on my list of priorities!

Left: Rocky patiently waiting for his next cookie Right: Pooh Bear treks through snow taller than him

(Oh and P.S. all of these dogs are rescued, even the “purebreds.” So I don’t want to hear any more excuses about why you bought your pet, k? Darcy, you are my hero.)