Sophie, a 6-year-old female Cavachon, brings a gentle, loving presence to their household. Blue and Mittens, 12-year-old Ragdoll brothers, are the calm and affectionate companions who have been by the family’s side for over a decade. Gus, a vibrant “High Yellow” Leopard Gecko, is the newest addition at about six months old, adding a touch of intrigue and fun to their pet family. Each of these animals provides endless joy, with their quirky behaviors, constant companionship, and unconditional love, making the Millers feel incredibly lucky to have them in their lives. Let’s learn some more from Joy!

 

Sophie came from Green Family Kennels in Strausburg. We wanted a small-ish dog that doesn’t shed, and one of our friends has a Cavachon. Sophie is on the bigger end for the breed at a little over 25 pounds, and she’s the perfect size – big enough that she won’t get stepped on, but small enough that we can pick her up if needed.

 

Sophie is timid when we're not home and wary of unfamiliar people and dogs, often barking at those she hasn't met. However, she’s deeply loyal to her family and loves joining us for walks or movie nights, snuggling right in. Sophie is also incredibly athletic, with impressive jumping skills to catch balls or frisbees. She’s fast and especially loves running in the snow, making laps around the yard and rolling in it. She also enjoys chasing snowballs we throw for her.

 

We also call Sophie our “Cat Wrangler”. She keeps the cats in line by getting in the middle of any tussles or stopping them from scratching the furniture. She doesn’t do anything – just runs over like the boss and stands there. It’s pretty funny and cute. The cats just ignore her.

 

I work from home, and Sophie ensures I take regular breaks and plenty of walks. She seems to have a sense of time, keeping us on a set schedule. Smart and communicative, she lets us know if she's up for a long walk or a quick trip around the block. She also reminds us every morning for her Greenie! And don’t tell her she’s the family dog—she’s convinced she’s the baby.

 

We got our kitties from Little Mitts Ragdolls in Fort Collins; they were fantastic to work with. The kids were little, and we had fun meeting and playing with a big litter of kittens. Choosing was tough, but each child picked a kitten to bring home when the kittens were old enough.

 

Bluefire is named because of his beautiful blue eyes and the “blaze” on his nose. Mittens has mittens, and socks – that was another idea for his name.

 

Blue is a true Ragdoll. He was the runt of the litter, but still a pretty big cat. He LOVES attention; you can hold and hug and snuggle him in any position. Mittens doesn’t like to be held as much, but loves to be petted and sit on your lap. They are both very dog-like cats, and will follow you around the house, trotting after you until you settle so they can demand petting.

 

Whenever anyone comes over, they both need to greet the visitor, and, of course, “help” with whatever’s going on – especially any repairmen with ladders and/or toolboxes.

 

Mittens will steal small bags of things and run off with them – watch your bags of Lego pieces or hardware! We don’t think he’s very smart, and he’s super clumsy. But he’s the sweetest, most handsome cat you will ever meet.

 

Blue likes to tease the dog by jumping from behind a door or blocking a doorway, daring her to go by so he can tag her. He will also jump out at us humans from under the bed or swipe playfully if you walk by him without giving him some attention. 

 

Despite their age, they’re still very active and love playing in water. They'll knock over cups to splash in them, and especially enjoy dripping water. They jump into the bathtub every morning and wait for the drip to start. They’ll sit by the sink in the kitchen to play in the water. Mittens often puts his head directly under the drip, unaware of the water running off to the side, and then tries to catch it. It’s a daily, hilarious routine!

 

Gus is the newest addition to our family. Izzy got him as a Christmas present. He’s super cute and comes out to say “Hi!” whenever she goes near. He’s a baby, so we have to take socialization slowly, but he will sit on Izzy’s hand in the tank now. He’s had two full sheds and grown about an inch in the past two months. He’s super cute. Though they are pretty easy to care for, Leopard Geckos can live about 20 years, so getting one as a pet is a big commitment.

 

In conclusion, the Miller family's pets bring a wealth of joy and personality to their home. From Sophie the athletic and quirky Cavachon to Blue and Mittens, the playful and affectionate Ragdoll brothers, and Gus, the charming Leopard Gecko, each pet adds something special to the family dynamic, creating a lively and loving household where each pet is cherished.