CityView Magazine

FEATURE W Fayetteville is home to many coddled canines BY KAITLYNN PAGANO hen I was 18, I met the love of my life. He was hairy, bug-eyed and everything I wanted — my long-haired Chihuahua, Moose. He was six weeks old when I brought him home and by the time he was ten weeks old he had a wardrobe that was bigger than mine. He had different collars for different days, outfits for every holiday and he was hand-fed and always carried. He was even given a little sister, named Nollie, for his first birth- day. Now, I have a pampered pet that is five years old, seven pounds and could fill a walk-in closet with his belongings. I was always teased for spoiling my pets and I was happy to find that there are other pet parents just like me. Porter Henry and Zoe are two Yorkshire Terriers who also live pampered lives. They have their own car seats, clothes and toys from all over the world including a ball from the Guinness Brewery in Ireland, a stuffed malasada toy from Hawaii and toys from Jamaica. Zoe's mom describes her as a fearless, four-pound fur-baby who thinks her name is "cute and tiny" because that's what she hears her mom say all the time. If Zoe isn't taking up space in her mom's lap during morning coffee or taking up as much space as possible under the covers next to her, she is at her feet barking, always de- manding to be picked up. Porter Henry is a stubborn little man who weighs thirteen pounds and carries the nickname "Bratty McFatty" because he is the ruler of the food bowl. He was discovered at a pet store and was just so cute and feisty that his mom said she could not resist him. Porter Henry has a habit of scooping up a favorite toy whenever his mom tells him that it's time to go outside. He is told every time that he has to leave his "friend" — the toy — inside and each time, he does. But he always tries hoping that one day his owner will forget and he will finally be able to slip outside with his "friend" for playtime. Zoe and Porter Henry receive new toys every week. Currently, their favorite toys are two stuffed rats from Ikea. Most pets have favorite places to relax or sleep, whether it's a bed, a cage or kennel or just a place in the house. Pinkey, a dainty Yorkshire Terrier, has an entire bedroom. Chosen from a litter of 10 puppies, Pinkey was destined for a colorful future. She shares a name with her mom, who grew up with it as her own nickname. Pinkey (the dog) has her very own bed- room decorated with stickers, toys, pink blankets and a bed. She also has several pink outfits, three pink coats, pink hair bows and her very own toiletry bag, complete with shampoo, conditioner, perfume and even a pink toothbrush. Soon, with the remodeling that is currently happening in her home, there will be a matching pink kitchen with matching appliances. Pinkey receives a new outfit and new toys every week — all CityViewNC.com | 57

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