By Jennifer Reed

At The Drake Center, it’s no surprise our families are a bit…furry. From dogs and cats to horses, chickens and an emu, we’d like you to meet the loves of our lives—our pets. 

Proud pet parent: Dr. Sarah Smolley, veterinarian

  • Henry, pit bull

  • Nico, Labrador retriever mix

If you had to choose, would you say you are a cat person or a dog person? Why?

If I had to choose (though it's very hard), I'd say I'm more of a dog person, although I really like most animals (whales are one of my favorite species). I find a strong connection to dogs because of their loyalty, joyful tail wags and the ability to involve them in the activities I enjoy like hiking, running, swimming and boating. 

How did you get your pets? Why did you choose those particular breeds?

Henry came into my life when he was about 6 months old. During a moment of weakness while helping my parents look for a new furry family member at the shelter, Henry (at the time named "Storm") and I locked eyes and it was all over. He's been my constant companion since our first meeting.

Nico, our old girl, has been with my boyfriend since she was a tiny 8-week-old pup and they have been best buds her whole life.

I think both of our dogs chose us rather than the other way around. Henry had a special look on his face and a playful personality that won my heart over. He has managed to be somewhat of an ambassador for the pit bull breed by letting many friends, family members and strangers discover that he is a snuggly, playful guy who would rather sleep on the couch and play in the ocean than fulfill many of the current stereotypes associated with bully breeds.

Nico’s laid-back and easygoing personality made her a perfect match for my boyfriend. We both have special places in our hearts for the retriever breeds as we each grew up with goldens. We have our "his and hers" dogs that each in their own way reflect and complement our personalities. 

What is special about your pets?

There are so many special things about my dogs and some of those things are hard to describe in words. Nico is truly a shadow and loves to be in the same room as her human family members. She learned early on how to collect the newspaper and bring it in the house and is happy to walk herself with her leash in her mouth.

Henry has somewhat of an opposite personality. He is much more high energy and independent. Though he doesn't exactly have the body type for it, he LOVES swimming in the ocean, rivers, lakes and pools. Henry also seems to enjoy dressing up and is always game to wear a silly Halloween costume. The most special thing about both Nico and Henry is how much love they bring to us each and every day.  

What is the cutest thing about your pets, physically?

Nico has a beautiful black coat (and now a sweet gray and white face) and often looks as though she is smiling. 

Henry has extremely expressive eyes and a white tipped tail that looks like it was dipped in paint. 

What do you let your pets get away with that you probably shouldn't?

Both of the dogs have become food beggars over time. Though they are often shooed away, they do occasionally get a small piece of chicken or bread crust.

Henry loves to make nests out of the pillows on the bed and the couch. We have to keep doors shut and objects on the furniture to keep him off, but on occasion (with permission) he gets to come and snuggle up on the bed.

What is your favorite memory or story about your pets?

There are too many good memories of the fur kids, but I'll share a couple of the standout stories.

One of my favorite memories of Nico was taking her down to the beach with Henry. Nico doesn't really enjoy going in the water, so she spends her time walking along the sand and smelling the seaweed piles, rocks and sticks. On this particular day as Henry zoomed in and out of the surf after sticks we were throwing, Nico got a burst of excitement and decided she wanted to chase sticks and play in the water too. It was so fun watching the two of them run in and out of the waves together knowing they were both having a great time.

As a high energy guy, Henry has been on a lot (I mean A LOT) of runs with me. One of the most memorable runs was a beautiful 15-mile trail we ran with friends. Henry kept up the whole way and at the end of the run we all—including Henry—jumped in a lake for a fun swim. Though exhausted, he didn't want to miss out on any of the fun in the lake. I could tell that Henry was having just as much fun as the rest of us. Hopefully that is a favorite memory of his as well.  

What do your pets bring to the dynamic of your family?

In their own way, both dogs bring a sense of calm, joy and love to our home. It is always comforting to know that after a hard day, regardless of what was going on, Nico and Henry are there for us with a snuggle. They are calming, centering and a reminder of innocence, joy and true unconditional love.

There are many evenings we find ourselves laying on the floor next to the dogs enjoying that special connection we share. Just as much as Henry and Nico rely on us for their daily needs, we all rely on each other for love and companionship.

Just trying to describe how important my pets are to me is difficult. They help define our family and I know my heart and life are more fulfilled because of them. They are so important to us and our family wouldn’t be the same without them!