2026 Pet Parade

May 1, 2026

May 1, 2026

Pets are our companions, our live-in comedians, and our family members. What better way to connect with readers than asking them to show off their best buddies? Thank you to everyone who submitted their furry (and feathered!) friends.

Warning: Excessive cuteness ahead!

PoppiOur beagle Poppi is sweet, smart, cuddly, feisty, and always hungry for food! She loves zoomies, but only for a few minutes, then she is exhausted and cuddles into a tight ball of love to sleep. Her favorite thing to do is walk trails where she can sniff out squirrels and rabbits and try to chase! — Mike Snyder

AspenAspen is our rescue dog who turned 13 in December 2025. She is happily sharing about the most recent children’s book in her mom’s book series about dogs who help. She has mentored seven service dog puppies and shares about her journey in her book Aspen, Life After Rescue. She loves to chase anything that moves but despises Southern thunderstorms. — Margot Bennett

JennyJenny is a tiny, whimsical terrier mix who is a distant relative of the Fraggle Rock characters and perhaps even some from Star Wars. She loves snacks, road trips, meeting new friends, and throwing her toys high up in the air. We love her so much! — Annette Bleser

BodieBodie is a highly communicative, fun, and super-smart member of our house. A true working dog who excels at training, agility and scentwork but loves to cuddle and eat cardboard too. He was a Champion Portuguese Water Dog and is a certified Canine Good Citizen. He loves his blue alligator and family. — Rainee Denham

Rucker & BoeingRucker and Boeing are a bonded pair of English Labradors. We call them our App State Labs because they are black and yellow, and we live in Boone during the majority of the year. They love people and especially our young granddaughters. We are grateful to have them loving us. — Stacey Bishop

CarlosCarlos is a handsome boy who thrives on being with his people, lives for a good game of tug, and finishes the day with the softest snore that will lull you to sleep. — Thor Wendland

RioRio is a 7-year-old Quaker parrot. He was born on the Fourth of July, so he’s quite the little firecracker! He is smart and sweet. He makes everything and every day better. — Krystal Rogers

CassieCassie is our “grand dog.” We love looking after her. She’s a 9-year-old very sweet labradoodle. We’ve known her since she was a pup. She is intelligent and extremely well behaved. Her favorite past time is being loved. She enjoys long walks. As you can see from the picture, she loves our bed. — Lewis Lokitz

KhaleesiKhaleesi came as a last hope … and became a miracle. She brought my son back when everything felt lost. Now they’re inseparable. She’s not just a dog … she’s the reason he’s still here. — Sharon Munoz

ElouiseElouise is a 6-year-old one-eyed sweetheart! She was found behind a grocery store, and I was lucky enough to discover her online and bring her home. She is the sweetest, fluffiest girl, and once she gets over her shyness she is the cuddliest baby in the world. — Sydney Price

TuckerTucker is part dog and part human. Our son enlisted in the Army, and it was devastating to me. Tucker came into my life at a time when I needed him most. Tucker loves the outdoors, loves to go on hiking trips, loves to take bike rides, and he is always at my side. — Robert Bartle

GoldieBest dog ever! As a puppy she chewed two shoes, and they were the same set of flip flops. Growing up with our son since he was 3 years old, she now is 15 ½ and a true trooper. She has some ailments but is still getting in and out on her own and even able to have short runs. We will never have a better dog! — Jennifer Deatherage

TwixieTwixie is the third candy bar after her two sisters. We rescued her in 2018. She is 11 years old and a corgi/long-hair dachshund mix. She’s so cute with that one bent ear and so very loving and attached to her parents. She loves to play with any stuffed toy and can’t get enough food. — Mary K. Munnings

EverestEverest is a beautiful 9-year-old husky who was a rescue. She brings laughter, love, and happiness to our home. She loves long walks, car rides, going to the beach, and getting a pup cup! This year we are hopeful to take her to the waterfalls in Pisgah National Forest this summer! — John Bartle

ScoutScout is a black Labrador that LOVES tennis balls, as we have to buy them by the hundreds! Literally. The last purchase was 600! He enjoys the beach and swimming in any body of water. He is a heartbeat at my feet, always. — Bronwyn Bartle

MooseMoose is affectionately nicknamed Sharkie, thanks to his love of showing off his pearly whites during playtime. In this photo, he’s enjoying a well-deserved post-zoomies nap with his minions. There’s nothing this sweet boy loves more than snacks and snuggles with his favorite people! — Kori Mulholland

GizmoGizmo came from the Wake County animal shelter, and now he is living the good life. He likes warm laps, fuzzy beds, sunny spots, brush time, long naps, and Type O Negative music — for some reason, I just made that last one up! — Jan Jackson

ChaseChase is the sweetest, most lovable pet you could ever ask for. He brings so much joy, comfort, and laughter into our lives every day. We love him deeply, and he truly makes our home feel complete. — Giselle & James Rojas

Gracie & GidgetGracie hobbled her way into our lives from an emergency vet clinic after an unknown injury required an amputation. She retains a spicy demeanor even eight years later but will give cuddles on her conditions. Gidget is as sweet as she is brainless. This chonky girl loves cuddles and rubs all the time and is surprisingly agile when playing with her favorite toy. — Dan Brady

ZoeZoe is an amazing 9-month-old Pomapoo. She lives with her 13-year-old Pomapoo brother. She is so sweet to him. Most of the time he wants to sleep and she doesn’t bother him. She is truly a joy to be around and has never met a stranger! — Sonia Weber

KirbyKirby is a happy dog and loves everyone, dogs and people. She has a smile baring her teeth, which looks like a snarl; meanwhile she is wagging her tail. She smiles whenever we come home from somewhere and at new people. She loves to run fast and has a play group of neighborhood dogs. — Janice Martin

Muad’DibWe found a tiny kitten under a bush that reminded us of a mouse, so we named him Muad’Dib after the kangaroo mouse from Dune. Now he’s all grown up, and his favorite activity is stealing pieces of our foam gym flooring and carrying them around the house while yodeling. — Justin Shiver

BanditBandit is a sweet, fun-loving husky! He loves going on walks and hanging out at the parks. He also likes being outside and sunbathing. — Emily Jache

Diesel & MaterThese two bullies keep a smile on our face and make us laugh out loud! Since our girls have flown the coop, they are our world. — Catherine F. Connors

PumpkinHey, what’s that tattoo on my dog’s belly? It’s typically a blue/green line letting you know your rescue has been spayed. It may fade over time, but it’s permanent, just like the mark left on our hearts by adopting a pet in need! Nothing says “I love you” to an animal like providing hope, care, and a forever home. They might not have seen fresh air, sunlight, grass, or playtime. Now, the windows of opportunity are endless. Pumpkin is looking out, ready to go! What breed is she? RESCUE! — MG

ColbySweet Colby will be 2 years old in July. She has a fun, charming, and playful personality that I hope she never grows out of. She loves going to her downtown Barkyard in Cary to play with the other ‘biggies’ (larger dogs) and getting chased by the dogs there. She stops along the fenced entrance to greet the ‘smalls’ (smaller dogs), and they seem to like her too. Love this girl! — Debbi Burns

Rio & CairoMeet golden-hearted Rio and bold Cairo. A striking contrast yet a perfect bond as two shades, one heart. Together they balance warmth and strength. Calm yet full of character, both are natural posers, always camera-ready and effortlessly stealing hearts. The youngest, Cairo is full of playful energy, always nudging Rio to join in and keeping him on his toes. Proud rescues from Saving Grace in Wake Forest. Follow their journey @rio_cairopaws on Instagram. — Rina Yadav

More From Our May-Jun 2026 Issue

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