Debbie Steele, age 16, had been told by her parents that she could not have a puppy. Therefore, Debbie waited until Christmas Eve of 2013 and then purchased with her own money a beautiful white “little fluff ball.” When Debbie’s parents saw this cute puppy (an akbash/wolf/husky/malamute mix) they couldn’t turn their daughter’s request down.

Ava enjoyed being outside and endlessly romping on the family’s acre of property. She loved everyone she ever met. She liked camping, was always happy, and loved to cuddle. Ava’s unique characteristic was that she had 6 toes on each of her back feet.

Tragically, this wonderful dog passed away suddenly on September 15, 2015. She was just reaching her second birthday. Ava is deeply missed by Debbie and all who knew this beautiful animal during her short life.

Kaysha Cunningham first noticed “Gina” (a German Shepherd/Pitbull mix) when Four Paws Rescue brought her into PetSmart each week for possible adoption.  However, no one hardly ever looked at Gina because she was not as cute as the cuddly little puppies everyone seemed to gather around.  Due to overcrowding, Kaysha became aware that Gina’s time was running out, so she brought the 7 year old German Shepherd/Pitbull mix home to her 3 boys.

Gina immediately bonded to Kaysha’s young autistic son, Tristyn, and the two became inseparable.  The loving dog, who had been confined in a small kennel the first 6 years of her life, had finally found a loving family.

Gina loved to hike and play in the snow. The first time the dog went to Pineview Reservoir, she ran to the water and dived right in.  More than anything, however, Gina loved to just cuddle with the 4 members of her family. Due to Kaysha’s rescue of an unwanted dog, this loving animal found love and gave back that love to her family the last 5 years of her life.  Gina (nicknamed “G.G.”), passed away on October 13, 2015, and will be greatly missed….especially by Trystan, the autistic young boy in whose bedroom Gina always slept.