Name: Merica (8 y/o) & Kilo (2-ish y/o)
Family Members: Keith & Hadley
How long have Merica & Kilo been in the family? Merica has been in the family 4 years and Kilo about a year and half.
Professions: Hadley - Public Administration, Keith – Law Enforcement
Location: East Atlanta, GA.
Nicknames: Merica: Chunky Monkey, Ma’am, Miss Merica, Snookerdook
Kilo: Big Boy, Mr. Kilo, Sir, Drama King
Merica
Kilo
5 words/phrases that best describe Merica & Kilo?
Merica:
Loving aka. total snuggler
Patient
Funny
Protective
Stubborn
Kilo:
Energetic
Handsome
Stubborn
Smart
Talkative
What makes Merica & Kilo unique? Merica always wants to be with us whether that’s sitting in our lap outside or keeping guard at the bathroom door. She has this funny way of just quietly popping her head around the corner to let you know she is watching out for you. She is a little shadow always finding ways to wiggle her way into whatever we are doing.
Kilo LOVES life! Whenever he steps outside he lifts his head towards the sky, closes his eyes, sniffs the air and then sighs like he is in heaven. His clear appreciation for even the smallest of things constantly reminds us how wonderful the little things like a breath of fresh air is. He also loves the car! If he even so much as thinks he is getting in the car he goes nuts.
Beautiful Amber eyes!
Kilo loves his tire!
Rescue Story: It was my (Hadley) graduation weekend from the Master’s program in Charlotte, NC and I was scrolling on Facebook. I saw this picture of Merica taken by the Landfill Dogs Project. I showed my mom and said this is going to be my next dog! My mom looked at me with pure panic and said you should wait until you know where you are going next before taking on such a big commitment; but I had already fallen in love. I messaged the shelter the very next day. It turned out that Merica was in foster care as she was a long timer at the Wake County Animal Shelter. Her foster mom, Jennifer and I talked on the phone and we decided that I should come meet her. I drove the three hours north to meet Merica and her foster mom. Merica and I got along right from the start but there were several other people interested because of her feature in the Landfill Dogs Project. As soon as I got home, Merica’s foster mom called me and said that in comparison to the other potential adopters I was the best fit. I was so ecstatic! A few days later I made the three-hour trip back to Wake County to pick her up. The first few weeks took some adjustments for both of us. I quickly found out that she wasn’t a fan of car rides and just like me gets motion sick. I also discovered that somehow, she always managed to cause more damage in the crate than she ever did out of it. But I also realized that I had been missing my true best friend and we have had so many wonderful adventures since I picked her up from foster care.
I had been going to the DeKalb County Animal Shelter off and on meeting new dogs to see if any were a good fit. One day I (Keith) went and saw Kilo. He was the perfect pup and I just knew he was the one! I signed the adoption papers and set a date to come get him after he had been fixed. The day I picked him up was an adventure. I had military duty so I picked him up as soon as I got off work and off we went in the truck down to Florida. People thought we were crazy but Kilo adjusted quickly and has never minded the constant changing routine. He is just like me and gets bored if he has to sit around for too long.
Merica ready to head to her forever home!
Kilo’s shelter shot!
What is your favorite pastime as a family? Merica has two favorite past times. The first is to snuggle. You could be pretty much anywhere and Merica will find a way to sneak on to your lap (as sneaky as a 48lb dog can be). She even managed to convince Keith that her rightful place at bedtime was smack dab in the middle of the human bed not the dog bed. Merica’s other favorite past time is going hiking with us. Her utter joy and excitement to explore new trails and streams has encouraged us to explore new areas and see the wonderful outdoors.
Kilo’s ultimate past time is to play with his tire in the yard. Every time we go outside he looks at the tire, looks at us, and then looks back at the tire; you can totally tell he’s thinking: Its tire time, right? It better be tire time because I think this would be a fabulous time to play! I think he just loves being able to run after it and then whip it around as he carries it back to us. His other favorite past time is convincing us to join him on the deck. He has this trick down where he asks to go out on the deck, waits a few minutes and then comes back the door and pouts. If we go to open it for him he immediately runs back to his bed and looks at us like: “oh I don’t really want to go inside I just want you to come sit out here and watch me chew my bone.” We can not tell you how many times we have been suckered by this little trick of his. Lucky for Kilo we love being on the deck with him just as much as he does.
What is life like since you rescued Merica & Kilo? Merica has significantly changed my life for the better. She has encouraged me to step out of my shell and explore new places. She has also been my escape when school or life seemed too overwhelming. A quick cuddle and walk with Merica can make even the worst of days the best of days. She has this sunny charm and goofyness that makes everyone that spends time with her laugh constantly. She truly brings lots of joy and happiness to our home and I wouldn’t want it any other way!
Kilo has shown us what true spunk is. It is impossible to miss a walk or time outside because Kilo is sure to remind us that it is time to go outside and smell the air. Kilo is always up to some antics that make us laugh (especially when he decides it is time to workout with the yoga ball). He has a determination and defiance like no dog we have ever known and that has made us extremely patient. He is also very selective with his snuggles so when he chooses to snuggle with you - you know he is giving you his heart. Kilo, while young obviously had a previous owner that let him down in a lot of ways. We strive each day to show him that we love him no matter what. We are looking forward to many more years of him keeping us on our toes!
Photographers Note: This was such a fun shoot. Keith & Hadley have a huge yard for the dogs to play in, which provided a lot of opportunities for some good shots. Kilo was all about his big tire toy and even did a few swings with Keith’s assistance, big ole smile and just flying through the air! Merica was cracking me up because she got a little obsessed with the yellow duck I use to get the dogs attention. I had a few shots where she was staring me & the duck down so intently that I knew if Hadley let her go, she would run right over me to get to the duck! :) She even walked me to my car when it was time to leave and Hadley couldn’t get her to go inside. I tried to tell myself it was because she really like me but I am pretty sure it was the duck she didn’t want to leave!
Side note on the Landfill Dogs Project, as someone that supports rescue and appreciates good photography, especially photography that features dogs in need; this was a project that really moved me when I first learned of it a few years back. The message that this photographer is portraying with these photos being taken in a landfill, is powerful and the photos are beautiful. I am so pleased that one of our Shine A Light volunteers is in a loving home due to that project and I hope so many more can say the same. If you are not aware of the project, click the link in Merica’s rescue story above or find them on Facebook under Landfill Dogs.