Nels, Susie and Luci Strickland relocated from Waycross, GA in 2011 and have found Oxford the perfect place to call home. Ole Miss games aren’t the only means for providing year round entertainment for these Sports Enthusiasts. While Nels and Susie have retired from their respective careers, they are full-time employees when it comes to loving and caring for their fur-babies.
Their journey began when the Strickland’s embarked on one of their many sporting adventures. Harper and Hattie were just tiny pups looking for a place to call home. Hattie aka “Hatt the Rat” was adopted when they were returning home from watching Derek Jeter’s final baseball game prior to his retirement. It was love at first bark! When they laid eyes on her curly little coat, they knew they had hit a homerun of their own. Harper’s adoption day had more of a Southern flare. She was welcomed into the family when Susie and Nels were traveling to watch Ole Miss dominate the Music City Bowl. Harper had the cutest little twinkle in her eye, and they knew she was already a part of the family. Their origin stories are similar to their personalities as these ladies are like Yin and Yang. When snuggled up together, they even look like the yin-yang symbol! Hattie is the athlete. She loves to meet you at the door with a rapid tail-wag, and a toy of her choosing ready to go! Harper is a bit more reserved and quite the little helper. She enjoys following you around the house, assisting with any daily tasks, and then getting all the belly rubs you can muster.
This family felt complete, until the Strickland’s met Harry. Harry was a surprise addition to the family just this month. Nels and Susie weren’t looking for another pup, but one look at this little fellow and there was no turning him away. Susie saw a picture of Harry on a rescue group’s Facebook page and she was compelled to help him. The thought of him in the shelter was more than she could bare and within a few days, he was snuggling with Harper and Hattie, completing the puppy trifecta! They’re already three peas in a pod; snuggling, romping and rolling together. With enthusiasm, Harry has really taken to his role as little brother.
Pretty and proper as they appear Hattie, Harper and Harry Strickland are as rough and tumble as they come. When they aren’t perched pretty as a picture on their “spots”, they are full throttle play machines and love racing around in their back yard or digging a mud hole twice their size.
We couldn’t be more proud to feature the Strickland’s as our March Pet Family of the Month and introduce Oxford to this generous family.