Hi, I’m Rain. I’m a Blue Heeler. I live with my mom and dad, Lisa and Jeff Ferguson, and my cat brother, Sunny. He’s a black-and-white tuxedo cat, and yes, he’s a boy. We didn’t come to the family the same way or from the same place. I came from Geydan, and Sunny came from Lake Charles, but we fit together just fine.

Mom named me Rain because she loves rain. Sunny’s name is Sunny, even though sunny skies aren’t Mom’s favorite. I prefer cooler days and steady routines. Sunny prefers… being a cat.

I should probably mention that I was not an easy puppy. I had a lot of energy and a strong personality. My dad had said he didn’t want another dog. Before me, my parents had loved two dogs very deeply—a Dalmatian they had for 11 years, and later a boxer mix they rescued and brought home from a rural cabin. When that boxer mix ran away during a thunderstorm and never came back, it left a hole in their hearts. My dad thought he didn’t have enough love left for another dog.

He was wrong.

Now, I am very loyal. I stay close to my people and pay attention to everything. My dad spoils me more than he’ll admit. I get a bite of just about everything he eats, and I go on four or five golf cart rides a day. I think that sounds fair.

Sunny and I have a routine that surprises most people. We take walks together. When it’s time for me to go out, I cry to go. If my parents let me, I walk the entire way with them. Sunny sometimes joins us, walking right alongside me like it’s no big deal. He also comes when he’s called, which my mom says is unusual for a cat.

Sunny does typical cat things. He likes his independence and isn’t overly impressed by much. My mom loves cats and says she’ll always have at least one because they’re the greatest animals ever. She especially appreciates their lack of interest. I don’t really understand that, because I am interested in everything.

Together, Sunny and I bring a good balance to the house. I bring loyalty and energy. Sunny brings calm and quiet company. We’ve both found our place here, and somehow, we’ve helped make room for a lot of love my dad didn’t think he still had.

I’m Rain. This is Sunny. And this is home.