April showers bring spring flowers and our blooming Pet Family of the Month: Michael, Shelly, and Winston Noggle! Michael is originally from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His dad was in the navy so he was accustomed to traveling quite a bit growing up. Currently, Michael is a pharmacist within the Baptist Health System as a nursing home consultant. He is responsible for 19 nursing homes from Corinth to Clinton MS. Michael received his masters from the University of Mississippi in 2013. He has formed close bonds with the long term residents which makes this line of work all worthwhile to him. Shelly, a Carthage native, earned her doctorate from the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry in Jackson, MS in 2015. She experienced multiple dental procedures as a child, and it sparked an interest and passion for the field. Michael and Shelly met in Jackson and circled in the same group of friends but didn’t actually cross paths until four years later! One of Shelly’s closest friends was Michael’s roommate in college. After their first date, they were inseparable. The couple moved to Oxford in July of 2015 and got married on December 19, 2015.
Michael and Shelly have always had pets independently and both had sweet and loyal german shepherds growing up. Michael also had a treasured feline friend named Smokey whose favorite food was cantaloupe! Can you believe it – YUM! Their love for animals, each other, and sharing their life’s journey inspired them to expand their family, their hearts, and raise their first pup together. The Noggles flew all the way to Utah to pick up Winston, an eggstremely cute and tiny baby “Pomsky” (Pomeranian/Husky)! Winston, born 8/22/21 (a Leo all the way), has been a fun, entertaining, ball of energy ever since they brought him into their home and shared him with the Homeward Bound family.
When this adorable baby was a tiny pup, he looked like a grumpy old man so they thought the name Winston suited him perfectly. Winston is an avid leaf collector and brings his daily leaf collection to the door for “show and tell” and saves them for future admiration and consultation when he journeys back outside again! He loves ice (who doesn’t!), bully sticks, his green treat ball, leather toys, and his special brown bear that he has had since his first days as a Noggle puppy. Every greeting from Winston is like a bunny hop dance with paws up in the air! “Winnie” is always up for a good walk around the neighborhood, a game of fetch with his favorite toys, and chase or the “catch me if you can” game around the house. Winston acts big and bad when greeting others on walks but don’t let him fool you – Oxford Eastside knows he’s the biggest sweetheart in the neighborhood and just wants to be the center of attention! Winston is best friends with Shelly’s aunt’s ragdoll cat, Hudson, and the family laughs telling the story about them playing chase with each other. Perhaps he is channeling Dad’s love of Smokey!
Their favorite memory (so far!) has been Winston meeting his family in North Carolina and watching him hop and frolic in the snow, a husky’s natural habitat! But Winston’s favorite routine is playing and snuggling up in bed watching “Friends” with his parents before settling down for the night. “How many seasons do we have left Mom and Dad?” No worries Winston, our “Friends” say “I’ll be there for youuu…” and thus will always be there (thanks to Hulu and HBO) The Noggles agree if Winston could be any character, he would be Ross Geller from “Friends”’ because he is one quirky, goofy pup who is the laughter and entertainment of their life show! This couple loves that Homeward Bound gives Winston, or as we like to call him – “Winnie the Pooh”, one on one attention and exercise, lots of silliness and playtime, and definitely appreciates the Spaw service which keeps him looking beautiful!
Shelly and Michael have a keen sense of adventure and love to travel! Their vacation spot highlight thus far has been Fiji, where they went skydiving to celebrate Michael’s 30th birthday! Together they have traveled to the NC islands, Florida keys, and went snorkeling and scuba diving with sea turtles and penguins in the Galapagos Islands. Their happiest moments have been seeing the world together and sharing these incredible first experiences with each other. They are overjoyed to have Winston join them on their fun-filled excursions! The Noggles love cycling, reading, and experiencing the vast cultural cuisines from all over the world. Their Oxford highlights are the three F’s: FOOD, FOOTBALL, and FAMILY! Football season is their favorite time here, and they enjoy celebrating with friends and family in the Grove.There is always something to do in Oxford, and they say it is where some of their best memories have been made and are looking forward to a lifetime of many more!