Hi there! I’m Pella, a 9 ½-year-old Old English Sheepdog, and I live with my best friend, Baxter, and our amazing humans. Life is pretty great now, but it hasn’t always been easy for me. Let me tell you our story! 

Baxter joined the family first. Our humans had a family tradition of naming dogs after major league first basemen, but when they got Baxter in the summer of 2015, they couldn't land on a first baseman's name, so he's named after right fielder Mike Baxter, who played for the Chicago Cubs, and a dog from the movie Anchorman. Baxter was born near Pinnacle Mountain and became part of the family in 2015. When they chose him, they thought he was shy because he had sweet blue eyes and seemed quiet. Boy, did he trick them! He’s anything but shy—he loves barking, running, and being the center of attention. He even sings along with the emergency sirens on Wednesdays at noon!

I came along much later, in the summer of 2023. My story is a little different because I used to be a stray. One hot day, I wandered into the cool Pella Window Company warehouse in Maumelle, looking for some relief. That’s where I met Mack, our humans’ son. He called his family and said, “There’s a sweet dog here who needs help.” The rest is history. They came to meet me and decided to take me home to help me get healthy. I wasn’t sure at first, but when Baxter and I met, we clicked right away. He’s the best big brother a girl could ask for!

Now, we have all kinds of adventures together. Our favorite days are Tuesdays and Thursdays because we ride the Bark Bus to the Canine Country Club. It’s like doggy heaven—so much room to run and play! But one time, I got scared while being dropped off at the bus and took off running. I zoomed past so many places like Baja Grill and Steamroller Blues! My human chased me down in the car, and I was so relieved when I saw them. That’s the day I knew for sure I was home.

Baxter’s favorite place is the dog park, but sometimes, he gets himself into trouble. One time, he smashed his front teeth while playing too hard. Now he’s a snaggletooth! It’s kind of funny watching him eat because he throws food everywhere.

We also love our morning walks in Prospect Terrace. Baxter gets super excited when he sees other dogs, so we take different routes to keep things calm. On Sundays, we walk along Kavanaugh to check out the shops and enjoy a change of scenery.

Even though I’m not as adventurous as Baxter, I’m living my dream life now. I have a sunny yard to nap in, a cozy bed to call my own and a family who loves me. Baxter says he wants to herd real sheep someday, but I’m perfectly happy right where I am.

Life is good when you’re loved. That’s our story—two happy dogs living our best lives!