Our first dog came to us from the ASPCA in Baltimore. He is probably the most demanding, neediest, thinks you’re his best friend if you look at him, knucklehead. Coal is a combination of equal parts energy and love.

Fast-forward a year later and on the west coast, we decided Coal needed a friend to keep him company. Rocket Dog Rescue in San Francisco had so many to choose from, Coal ended up preferring a brother to the sister that we originally went to see. In honor of the rescue group, we named the second one Rocket. Rocket is the youngest, most well behaved and frequently acts like the old man on the porch shaking his fist at the other two. He’s the one everyone wants to take home.

Just when you think you’re done, you see a picture of a dog that just tugs at your heart. Our last addition, GG, which stands for Good Girl – not always applicable, came to us from a very sad pound outside of Los Banos (where?!). She’s a lovable little spitfire that occasionally acts like she doesn’t understand English and that the rules do not apply to her.