(Pictoral) Ode to the Dogs

Mingo
Canis lupus familiaris.
Born in August 2003 to unknown parents of German Shepherd, Husky, and other breeds.
Adopted in October 2003 from Kay's Animal Shelter, Arlington Heights, IL.
Tonio picked her out, and fell in love with her because she was fiercely wrestling with all of her littermates.
Mingo is playful and carefree, and has been compared to a laid back, unemployed surfer dude.
Being almost blind has not inhibited her ability to jump on the couch when no one is looking, nor her ability to find human food left out... but if you toss her a tennis ball it will bounce off her nose. When nervous and in new situations, she releases her stress by chewing her paws, the drywall or door trim. When relaxed, she sleeps in a standing, Egyptian sphinx position and yawns very loudly.
When she meets you, Mingo will greet you by jumping on you and clawing your shoulders. We do not know if her brain is too small to be trained, or if she is so astute that she tricks you into thinking she is simple minded.
She loves the kids and will allow them to climb all over her, dress her up, play vet, or "walk" her around the house on her leash.
(she is Tonio's favorite)

Boudicca
Canis lupus familiaris.
Born in December of 2002 to unknown parents of Golden Retriever and Border Collie breeds.
Adopted in January 2003 from Kay's Animal Shelter, Arlington Heights, IL.
Becky picked her out because she was the most timid of her littermates, and was sitting quietly waiting to meet her new family.
Boo is loyal and will play fetch for hours even as her legs tremble (due to Lyme disease).
Her ability to sense the change in barometric pressure preceding a thunderstorm is legendary. She is terrified of storms, brown bags, brooms, and a myriad of other common household objects and has been compared to a nervous accountant on Tax Day.
When she meets you, avoid speaking in a high pitch voice or she might not be able to control her excitement (and therefore her bladder).
She also loves the kids and will allow them to climb all over her, dress her up, play vet, or "walk" her around the house on her leash.
(she is Becky's favorite)

The kids change their minds daily over who is their "favorite" dog, and like to announce their pick and then spoil "their" dog for the day.