This happy Jackson, MS couple met in the 80’s through mutual friends while Lori was attending pharmacy school at Ole Miss and future husband Reed was attending Baylor University as an engineering student. They married after graduating and headed to Atlanta for their new journey together. There they had 2 children, Quinn (23) and Swayze (20). When Quinn was to begin kindergarten, the Elliotts’ decided it was time to return home to Mississippi to raise their family. Her brother, Michael Dennis, also an Oxford resident was drawing them towards Oxford where they could raise their children near family. Proximity to the Memphis airport for her husband needing to fly internationally for his work also helped the decision. Additionally, Oxford public schools was a big factor since they really wanted to support public school and Oxford was a great choice!
A few years after their move they accidentally expanded their family when discovering a kitten in a tree who had lost his mother. Swayze named him Malco after a theatre ad she saw in the newspaper. He is striped like a tiger and lives up to his wild looks. He is a proud and successful hunter and roams the woods around their home, prancing about like the king of the jungle.
Many years later, as the children were leaving for college, Lori began to expand the family by adopting her first King Charles Cavalier, Gus. Gus was named for one of their favorite characters from John Green’s young adult novel, The Fault in Our Stars. The following year, they brought baby Theo home to join Gus and is one of the family’s favorite memories. From the start, little Theo loved to puppy play with his older brother. They would roll and play the ‘growl game’ all over the house and yard. It was love at first sight. Gus had a girlfriend that was a stuffed Tiger he spent a lot of time with before Theo came along. But now he play–fights with his real brother for entertainment.
This sweet trio is always tail wagging happy! They are comfortable indoors or out and love to snuggle or take a long walk. The perfect empty nest companions – not to mention, ADORABLE!
If you want to keep up with the pups, follow them on Instagram @gusandtheo1.
Yes! They have their own account 😉
