Pet of the Week

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This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is Riley the Rogue, who has mastered the art of stealing food from his owner’s counters.

Here’s what his owner had to say about him:

Hey ARLnow, I’m Riley the Rogue! I was adopted one year ago this very month from Homeward Trails. My folks didn’t realize that the phrase “shepherd/collie” was not a Rin Tin Tin and Lassie combo. I’m half-Australian Shepherd and half-Border Collie. Hah! I’m a one-and-a-half-year-old teenager living with two older girl dogs, Dakota (12) and Katie (9). Thanks to my incredibly exuberant nature, I’ve put them both into their second puppyhoods now. No need to thank me.

While I showed how smart I am by taking first place in obedience training last August, my best talent is mastering the art of counter-surfing. I have long legs so I can reach all of that counter, babe! Yessirree … I share my prizes with my girls too. They adore me. My parents, however, seem a little put out about it.

My best theft yet was a full third of the uncooked stuffing in the pan this past Thanksgiving Day! I consider it my best as I had just figured out silence in thieving is golden. But they love me. How could they not? I’m a handsome cream puff of a dude! And when I roll over and give you those big baby brown eyes, you’ll melt. Trust me. Just trust me!

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the [email protected] a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet.

Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Arlington and Northern Virginia.

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This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is Nico, a “spunky” boxer mix who weighs 70 pounds and goes by “Little Man.”

Here’s what owners Kelly and Ian had to say about their precocious pup:

Meet Nico, a spunky bundle of love that isn’t quite aware of his size or strength. He still likes to think of himself as a lap dog, much to the dismay of our laps. He loves his new little sister, Avery, who giggles every time he licks her toes. He also loves shoes, fleece blankets, and pacifiers! Some combination is probably in his stomach at this very moment. He hates trash trucks, our mailman, and most men with beards (except for David, his beloved dog walker).

Nico, or “Little Man,” as we often call him, was adopted from A Forever Home last April. He turned 1 in January. His mom was a boxer and dad is a mystery, although we are pretty sure there is some kind of hound in there (on account of the spots on his nose and the howl he makes when we leave him). He just recently weighed in at almost 70 pounds, and we’re thinking — OK hoping — he’s about done growing.

Nico is very talented. He sits, shakes, high fives, and retreats to his crate at the shake of a treat bag. He can also hide all of his toys under the couch, make the contents of a trash can disappear, and create a work of art with his dirty paws. His sad old man eyes always tell us that he is very very sorry. He will always be our first baby, and we love him!

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? [email protected] a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet.

Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Arlington and Northern Virginia.

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This week’s Arlington Pet(s) of the Week are Bo and Lane, two brothers rescued from under a bush in Pennsylvania.

Here’s what owners Matt and Liz had to say about their sibling pets:

Bowman (Bo) and Lane were found by Matt hiding under a bush alongside the road in middle-of-nowhere Pennsylvania. They were only 2-3 weeks old. Since being rescued that day, they have lived the posh, North Arlington lifestyle for nearly 4 years.

Bo has a sleek, grey coat and wing-tipped ears. He is a handsome devil, yet a total mama’s boy, drama king who thinks he is still a kitten. His favorite activities include pouncing on moving objects, leaping to tall heights, chewing on things he’s not supposed to, and meowing when people raise their voices. He also has a bottomless pit for a stomach and is not afraid to head-butt his parents while they are sleeping to let them know he’s hungry!

Lane has white, tuxedo fur on his chest and tummy that is softer than a cloud. He is constantly purring in between his inquisitive meows. Despite his sweet disposition, the hunter of the family also likes to leave gifts, whether a toy mouse or balled up socks, on the bedroom floor every morning in exchange for his breakfast. Other hobbies include running into the hallway to greet strangers, hiding from the vacuum cleaner, and beating up his brother when mom and dad aren’t home.

Each cat has his respective spot on the couch for watching “Law & Order: SVU” or the current season of the Real World/Road Rules Challenge, Lane with mom and Bo with dad. And when it’s time for bed, they switch and Bo sleeps under mom’s arm while Lane keeps dad’s feet warm. It’s times like these that Matt and Liz wonder if they truly adopted these furry gentlemen or if it was the other way around!

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet.

Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Arlington and Northern Virginia.

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This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is Lane, a mixed-breed rescue dog who is afraid of floor lamps.

Here’s what owner Ryan had to say about his pup:

Lane is a 3-and-a-half-year-old mixed breed that I believe is a pitbull/whippet mix. Ryan, her owner, rescued her while he was getting his Bachelor’s Degree from Virginia Tech, hence she’s named after the Hokie’s Lane Stadium.

Lane is a playful dog that loves having fun with other dogs and chasing after squirrels while going for walks on the Bluemont Junction trail behind her house. Lane’s favorite activity is going on hikes and running through the woods in the Blue Ridge Mountains while she is visiting her grandparents’ house during the holidays. She is a very quiet dog and hardly ever barks, unless it is at the mailman. The roommates in our house recently got several remote control helicopters and she enjoys watching them fly around and attempting to snag them when they fly too low.

For some reason, Lane’s biggest fear is floor lamps. She is always checking on them to make sure they haven’t moved. We spoil Lane by allowing her on the furniture, and she uses that privilege to its fullest extent. Unlike some other dogs, she is excellent in the car, she just curls up and enjoys the ride. Any time myself or any of my roommates come home from work, Lane gets extremely excited and always needs to pick up an item in her mouth while relentlessly wagging her tail.  The first item she usually picks up is her bone, and if that is not within sight, she will pick up some very unconventional items, such as blankets, shoes, or socks.

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet.

Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Arlington and Northern Virginia.

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This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is Eleanor Mittens, a tabby cat who “might be a ninja in training.”

Here’s what owners Sarah and Shaun had to say about their athletic animal:

This is Eleanor Mittens, our 2-year-old domestic short-hair tabby, though her small stature and playful nature have earned her the moniker “forever kitten.” She was adopted at PetSmart as a rescue kitten from Last Chance Animal Rescue in Waldorf, Md., and shares a birthday with her adoptive cat-dad.

Eleanor is tremendously athletic, racing around the house and building obstacle courses out of cat furniture, people furniture, laundry baskets, and whatever else she can think of to leap over or jump onto. She might be a ninja in training, as she is also quite adept at sneak attacks. Her all-time favorite toy has been with her since her kitten days — it is a stick with brown feathers at the end, which she will chase and carry around in her mouth like a dog. She is very affectionate and especially enjoys being cuddled in the kitchen.

As a truly modern kitty, Eleanor is also quite tech-savvy. She enjoys borrowing an iPad on occasion to play games (Cat Toys 3D in particular), watch videos with her people, or to snap the occasional selfie. Eleanor is a constant source of amusement to us, and we hope her photos and story bring a smile to your face as well.

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet.

Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Arlington and Northern Virginia.

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This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is Puff, a transplant from Ohio who’s getting used to Arlington’s urban environment.

Here’s what owner Emily had to say:

Puff, a 4-year old “yorkipoo,” was born on a farm in Ohio. She was initially skeptical of urban living (we had to teach her to walk on surfaces other than grass), but she now embraces the city life. Puff enjoys the smells, sights, and sounds of Pentagon City, Clarendon, and Shirlington — a few of her favorite destinations.

Puff is often mistaken for a puppy due to her diminutive size, exuberant energy, and (sometimes) juvenile etiquette. But Puff approaches her job as watchdog with unmatched maturity. She loves to spend the day on a “throne” of pillows perched atop the sofa, where she has a perfect view of her front yard and street. No car, jogger, dog, or blowing leaf escapes her watchful eye, and she dutifully alerts us to every movement and sound. On her daily patrols of the neighborhood, she ensures that no squirrel goes unchased and no smell is overlooked.

After a hard day’s work, Puff enjoys cuddling up with her parents for some nice tummy scratches (and lots of treats).

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet.

Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Arlington and Northern Virginia.

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This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is Rudy, a labradoodle transplant from Portland who ditched the “hipster lifestyle” to move to, according to one metric, the seventh-most hipster city in America.

Here’s what owner Noah had to say:

This here is Rudy. He’s a labradoodle from outside of Portland who decided that the west-coast “hipster lifestyle” wasn’t exactly for him (although he has been know to curl up in a flannel to read Hemingway every so often).

Named in part for the classic 1993 motivational football movie, Rudy is a natural athlete. He can be found at the Clarendon Dog Park running laps, or swimming in Four Mile Run, or just chasing bunnies in the yard. After a long day, however, Rudy is always down for a cuddle (so long as he gets three-quarters of the bed).

In the case that any eligible bachelorette pups are reading this, Rudy can be easily wooed with empty water bottles and salmon jerky. And while he is a mama’s boy, he definitely knows how to let loose and have fun.

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet.

Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Arlington and Northern Virginia.