Meet Will and Anne Freeman Rogers! Will, a native Oxonian and Anne, originally from Greenwood, met while attending Ole Miss and married in 2009. They’ve made their home here in Oxford with their four, four-legged rescued children . The Rogers household is made up of 3 dogs Charlie Brown, Emma and Maggie, and June Carter Cat. While Anne and Will rescued all four from perilous situations, their stories could not be more different!
Will, helping a friend’s mamma dog deliver her litter of puppies, was the first human contact pretty girl Maggie had upon entering this world. After an accidental escape from her whelping box, a tumble down the stairs resulted in a spinal injury for the few day old little girl. Will became Maggie’s self appointed physical therapist and human parent. He helped her learn to walk by supporting her little puppy hindquarter with a sling made from a towel. Almost a decade later, her towel walking days are long since been behind her. For Maggie, the only lasting memory of her struggle during those early days is the strong emotional bond she has with Will, based firmly on his devotion to her, and her recovery. For many years Maggie was an only child and then, the Rogers family began to grow!
A trip to the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society in search of a kitty to adopt resulted in beagle mix, Charlie Brown (CB) coming home instead. And just like that, Maggie had a younger brother. He was too cute to leave behind and according to Anne, he has become the most spoiled of their “four kids”. Will and Anne followed through on their wish to add a cat to their family a short time later, when they found an infant kitty abandoned under a house, her eyes not yet open. The couple hand raised June Carter Cat, taking the newborn to work, and getting up through the night, to bottle-feed her every two hours. CB was sure the diminutive June Carter was a new toy, as they found him carrying the kitten around in his mouth on a few occasions! He is a soft nurturing soul.
The most recent addition to their family came unexpectedly when a friend of Will’s found the sweet collie mix Emma, deserted in the woods, starving, and covered in ticks. They called Will and Anne for help and the now fully recovered Emma has been herding the Rogers pack ever since. She likes to challenge pack grand dame, Maggie, for her alpha dog spot regularly, but Maggie is still firmly in control of this brood. Emma likes to shakes things up no matter the time of day, and keeps everyone on their toes. She runs through the yard full throttle hoping to entice someone, anyone to join her in a good time. She is all smiles as she leaps and bounds as if she is saying; “look at me… look at me!”
The Homeward Bound Family is always thrilled to spend time with this crew. Much humor ensues as its all play, all the time with these babies. Thanks Rogers Family!