Pet Connection: Burke, Fairfax, Fairfax Station, Lorton, Springfield
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Pet Connection: Burke, Fairfax, Fairfax Station, Lorton, Springfield

Buttercup Understands: Henry Phillips lives in Burke with dogs Gus, an American Bulldog, and Buttercup, a Husky mutt. He is especially fond of Buttercup for her fun and protective nature. “At first when we got Buttercup, she was afraid of all of us. She was cowering down,” he said. Now, though, she is more confident, and Phillips thinks she understands how things work. “And the funny thing is when Gus is trying to bark,” he said, “she walks in front of him and is like ‘No.’ It’s funny.” Even when Buttercup was younger and more timid, Phillips still felt a connection to her. “We’ve been playing with each other since we were little,” he said. “Now, whenever I’m like ‘Buttercup, come here,’ she just runs up to me.”

Buttercup Understands: Henry Phillips lives in Burke with dogs Gus, an American Bulldog, and Buttercup, a Husky mutt. He is especially fond of Buttercup for her fun and protective nature. “At first when we got Buttercup, she was afraid of all of us. She was cowering down,” he said. Now, though, she is more confident, and Phillips thinks she understands how things work. “And the funny thing is when Gus is trying to bark,” he said, “she walks in front of him and is like ‘No.’ It’s funny.” Even when Buttercup was younger and more timid, Phillips still felt a connection to her. “We’ve been playing with each other since we were little,” he said. “Now, whenever I’m like ‘Buttercup, come here,’ she just runs up to me.” Photo by Abby Sacks/The Connection

Monday, August 5, 2019

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Photo by Abby Sacks/The Connection

From left: Fender, Hobie, Oscar. Amy Sung, from Burke, has four cats, three that live indoors – Fender, Hobie, and Oscar – and Coco, who is exclusively outdoors. She notices that each cat has a distinct personality, different from one another. Her family has had Hobie, their youngest cat, almost since birth. “We found [Hobie] day two. We were on spring break in Miami,” she said. “We knew him since the size of, like, a little tiny chipmunk.” Since then, Hobie has grown and is full of energy. “He’s just this mischievous teen. Always getting into trouble, climbing on things. Super cute. He’s our baby,” Sung said. Coco is the opposite, less jumpy and more reserved than Hobie. “She’s so shy,” Sung said. “And she doesn't like noises.” Oscar is the most affectionate and cuddly. “He’s definitely a lap cat,” she said. Sung added, jokingly, that he’s also her largest cat. “That said, he is an exomorph... You know the game ‘Exploding Kittens?’ He’s like a potato cat. This is, like, the super potato cat.”

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Photo by Abby Sacks/The Connection

Chasing Murray in the Snow: The first time Jake Wartel let Murray, his Bernese Mountain Dog, out in the snow, things did not go as planned. “I took him outside. And I was wearing Crocs and shorts and a t-shirt. I was just going to let him sit outside for a few minutes. But then, he saw something and started running. I chased after him a bunch. And so, for 15 minutes or so, I was there running in my Crocs and shorts, and there’s snow on the ground. And my brother was working at his desk and looked outside and saw me just running across the snow, chasing after Murray. Thankfully, we got him and brought him back. But, you know, it’s always dangerous to bring him out in the snow because he’s going to want to just run around and play.”

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Photo contributed

Tally, the Best Friend: Kay Schlachter’s Treeing Walker Hound, Tally, is her best friend. When Schlachter went to PetSmart to begin looking for a dog to adopt, she “met a few dogs just for fun,” she said. “Then I sat down, and [Tally] came over and stood with her feet in my lap and put her head in my chest.” From this first interaction, she knew this dog “was the one.” Schlachter and Tally understand each other. “When I am sad she comforts me,” Schlachter said. “And when she is scared I comfort her.” She describes their relationship as mutual, “which is why we are so close,” she said.

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Photo contributed

Rooting for Nats: “I wanted to enter my dog Fred, a Havenese, for your bi-annual Pet Connection edition. Fred is 12 years old. Fred is our first little dog, we have always had labs and goldens. He is a gem. He keeps busy by visiting Burke Rehab with Pets on Wheels, visiting South Run Rec Center, honoring veterans as a greeter with Honor Flight Chicago, and going to ball games. He loves to root for his Nats! In his spare time he loves to hang out at the pool! Fred resides in Burke.” – Rosie Bombaugh, Burke

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Photo by Bonnie Hobbs

The Fairfax Connection photographed Dan Nguyen and her Great Pyrenees, Milo, then 20 months, at the opening of Fairfax City’s new dog park in June.

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Photo by Susan Laume

Goat Yoga in Lorton: Caramel, a Norwegian pygmy goat, shows off her climbing tricks after a goat yoga session on Liberty Green in Lorton.

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Photo by Mike Salmon

Going for a Ride: Cocoa Latte of Lorton with his rock and roll haircut, ready to go take a ride in the car.

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Photo courtesy of Linda Habenstreit

Dodie, dressed for a Halloween Pet Parade: Dodie is a calm and loving “beagle, bichon, cocker spaniel, poodle and pug” mix. She provides comfort to patients at INOVA Fairfax Hospital through the Animal Assisted Care Program and to residents in assisted living/nursing care at Greenspring Village retirement community. Dodie takes agility classes at South Run Recreation Center where she enjoys jumping through tires, walking up and down A frames, running through tunnels and balancing on teeter-totters. She is a rescue dog, who was found and put up for adoption by Maryland Animal Sanctuary. Her owners, Linda and Neal - of Springfield - were blessed to adopt her nearly 8 years ago. Dodie goes for rides in the basket of Linda’s bicycle and dresses up for Halloween. Last year, she won a prize for her “Strawberry Shortcake” outfit at the Del Ray Halloween pet parade. Dodie is Linda and Neal’s best friend and companion. – Linda Habenstreit, Springfield

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Photo by J. Vincent

Dog Bartenders: Serving up dog beer and biscuit pairings to eager customers – Springfield residents Susan Laume and Cindy Green.

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Photo by Susan Laume

Dog beach adventures: meeting a rosy manta.

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