In this month surrounded by the spirit of love, it is only fitting that our February Pet Family of the month are High-School sweethearts with huge hearts that never stop giving: The Brannan Family! During their 4+ decades of marriage, Bub and Brenda have had abundant opportunity to share their “puppy love” with so many along the way. Declared “dog people” Brenda says that when one angel left their lives, another was always quick to join and always right on time.
Brenda and Bub currently co-habitat with: Emma, a Great Pyrenees and a gentle giant Bella a tiny, sweet and scrappy yorkie/shih-tzu mix and sometimes their adopted child Muffin, the happiest poodle you’ll ever meet!
Emma, the elder, joined the family after the loss of their Newfoundland mix. Brenda attended a group dinner during the holidays and one of the guests mentioned she had a house full of Great Pyrenees puppies needing homes. Brenda knew it was fate and brought Emma home that very Thanksgiving weekend. Bella joined them this past year when Brenda spotted her sweet face on social media and the timing was perfect. Just 7 weeks old, weighing in at just ONE pound this little lady is Bub’s princess and constant companion.
Emma, so calm and gentle, became a Therapy Dog when she was just 4mths old. Brenda took her on nursing homes visits, to grade school events and to numerous ‘pet-a-pup’ events during exam weeks at the University! Bella, following in her big sisters paw- prints, attended Therapy training too! A natural star-student in class, it was clear Bella preferred more upbeat activities centering on her sassy vibe. A girl has to stick to her yorkie roots!
Never a dull moment at the Brannan house, especially around dinner time “Boyfriend Dixon” is not only a neighborhood staple he was best friends with their beloved Brandy & Sally and continued to visit them daily and even had designated bowls and beds on their porch. He recently moved from Oxford and his memory still echoes around the dinner table and in their hearts.
With great love, comes great loss and Brenda and Bub have experienced more than their share of both. The unbearable loss of their son Ritchie, combined with the many beloved canine angels who have inhabited their hearts and home would leave anyone reeling. But the Brannans continue to believe, and live in love. Fur babies of every shape and size have come and gone and it has never stopped them from opening their hearts to love again.
Join us in giving a warm thanks, and a big hug to the Brannan Family, our February Pet Family of the month.
“Love makes a house a home, but for a lot of us a house is not a home without a dog.” – Brenda Brannan