Names: Willow Bugg (8 y/o) & Petunia Potamus (3-ish y/o)
Family Members: Mallory, Joshua, Maverick (human brother) - 1 y/o & Stielmann - Staffordshire Terrier (8 y/o)
How long have Willow and Petunia been in the family? Willow since May 12, 2010 and Petunia since September 12, 2015.
Professions: Joshua and Mallory both work at Archer Western a construction company. Joshua is a Project Engineer and Mallory is the SE Regional Recruiter
Location: Smyrna, GA
Nicknames: Willow: Bugg, Ladybug, Lovey & Woman
Petunia: P, PetPot, Potamus, Woman
5 words/phrases that best describe Willow & Petunia?
Willow:
- Loyal
- Loving
- Shy
- Snuggle Muffin
- Spazz
Petunia:
- Hilarious
- My Soul Dog Match
- Snorbox
- Loving
- My son's best friend
What makes Willow & Petunia unique? Willow can fly! She loves to play frisbee! She’s amazing! I wish she wasn’t so frightened of everything and everyone, it would be so fun to get her into the sport. She had a rough start and is literally terrified of new people, stuff that makes noise or comes at her fast; really anything not normal in her little daily life.
P is a bulldozer, she literally is afraid of nothing and will push through anything to get what she wants. BUT is the gentlest mini giant with my son. She just lays next to him, wants to love on him, shares snacks with him…. Two peas in a pod these two. She must be next to her person, most of the time it is me (mom), but sometimes she will have to be with her dad. Mostly when he is working out, she is his coach HA! It’s just the best feeling to look down and see her smile. The love that over flows her little wiggle butt is the best!
Willow after some time with her flirt pole. Look at those fantastic ears!
Petunia at her lookout spot.
Rescue Stories: Our first puppy Stiel was eating EVERYTHING and getting into trouble day after day… our vet recommended a second dog. So we of course set on a search to rescue! We saw this sad little girl online, fell in love, and went to meet her. I was so emotional going to the shelter, I was a wreck. She wanted nothing to really do with me that first meeting, I think she thought I was crazy. She warmed up to Joshua when they put us in a room to get to know her one on one. She was so scared, it was clear she had a rough start. We had to wait for her hold to be lifted and to get all fixed up to come home with us. It took a few days for her to get a little settled and realize she was safe and we loved her. Soon after that, she let me dress her, paint her toes and was so snuggly. She wanted to sleep under the covers and was settling into our little family, helping Stiel with his craziness. We have no idea of her past, but it lingers still after 7yrs. She is untrusting of new people, very shy and doesn’t like a ton of attention. Her terms or nothing almost… HA! A moody little lady, but she’s MINE! We love her to pieces.
Petunia was first seen by my husband on Facebook from Fulton County Animal Shelter ,they posted a video of her. Then later that morning I saw it and fell in love, just knew I needed her. Tagged my husband, he immediately called me and said I saw it this morning and loved her too. He actually was working next door to Fulton County at the time, one of our job site offices. I said go get her! Come to find out a rescue group snagged her, Hounds in Pounds, Inc. We knew someone that knew someone with the group, we filled out an application; we had to have her. She was a mess. Mange, underweight and a puppy. We had our house visit and she was ours, September 12th, 2015. A few months later I found out I was pregnant, and thought lord help us, how am I going to have a puppy, two older dogs, and a baby. The dogs were great while I was pregnant. The next September 12th we had Maverick! One year after getting P. It was just meant to be for these two. They are best friends! It all just meshed, we haven’t skipped a beat.
Willow's intake photo at the shelter.
Petunia at the shelter.
What is your favorite pastime as a family? For both Willow & Petunia snuggling on the couch is our favorite! We also hangout outside, play ball and have tugga - rope wars. Willow loves to play frisbee and be outside. She often hangs out on the deck in the sun, or out in the grass. She loves to eat anything in a wrapper. She won’t come if you ask half the time, but you get a cheese wrapper and she is the best girl, will sit and do other tricks for snacks… HA! Petunia is learning how to play with the flirt pole. Her short legs make it difficult sometimes. We love taking pictures of her for her Instagram page (@petuniapotamus) too, we have fun dressing her up and just taking fun candid shots of her.
What is life like since you rescued Willow & Petunia? Wonderful! We love Willow Bugg so much. My first girl dog ever, she is our little lady. She is very particular about things and has made Stiel a better man dog. HA! He stopped eating my shoes and books, I love her more for that. We always have the best snuggle bug on call. She makes us so happy. She gets us out of our moods when she wants to play outside and she has the best smile! Once in her circle always in her circle, she knows good people HA!
Petunia, it's just the best. I truly love all of my dogs, but something about Petunia, she is just my soul dog! She is my little shadow Potamus and has changed our little family for the best! We were so nervous about having three pit bulls. Nothing beats strolling down the street for a walk or going to the dog salon with my son in his stroller and three pits on a leash on their best behavior (after being threatened in the car before unloading). You truly know dog lovers and haters at that moment. Oh the looks I get. This little ball of energy that torments us to death sometimes, she then comes and makes herself comfy on you. You just can’t help but love her to death, smush her face and give sugars. HA! Always brings a smile to my face.
Photographers Note: Mallory had let me know that Willow was shy and took some time to warm up to new people. I told her I wouldn't have to get too close to take photos, thanks to a good zoom lens. When I arrived, I was greeted at the door by the whole gang, with Willow lingering a bit in the back not sure of who this person was. Petunia of course came right over and accepted some pets from me. After chatting a bit and watching how sweet they are with little Maverick, we headed out to their huge backyard to take some photos.
I have to say the bow tie shot of these two has to be one of my favorites. I am not sure if it's because several shots before it was a little chaotic trying to get them lined up next to each other and then all of the sudden with a little cheese coaxing, they just posed perfectly ( I believe I actual said are you kidding me? when that happened) or if it's because their expressions and adora-bullness is just too much. Either way, one of my favs!
It was so much fun watching these pups play with the flirt pole and then show of their frisbee skills. I could have taken their pictures for hours. I will say the best highlight was as we were walking over to get in position for their family shot, I felt a nudge and a cold nose on the back of my leg and hand. I turned to Mallory and said, " Was that Willow?" Sure enough, it was. That was a big win for me, even if it only lasted a second and she scurried off afterwards. Had I been there for hours taking photos, I feel like that we would have been fast friends by then!
Pibble Stampede!