CLIFFORD
In the spring of 2020 my mother's golden retriever, Daisy, escaped the house and commenced a torrid love affair with the determined chihuahua down the street from us mere days before we were set to move out. A month or so later, she gave birth to ten of the ugliest puppies I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. She had five boys and five girls, and the girls were the quickest to be adopted of course. Then went the smaller boys, until finally it was only Clifford and one other boy left. My mom had taken to affectionately referring to him as Fatass due to his significant size compared to the other puppies, and that combined with me naming him (the biggest mistake) ended in me taking him along when I returned to college for my sophomore year.
He's been by my side for the five years since, and I couldn't ask for a better best friend. He and I have our own special language, and I swear he's trying to speak English sometimes (he's so close...any day now...). He's a very smart boy, and loves to cause chaos and play with his puzzle toys. He hates thunder, balloons, and children under the age of 5. His big personality brings me so much joy every day! I am so grateful to have this silly little gremlin in my life, and I hope he knows just how much I love him.
MISS LADY
The summer I graduated college, my partner and I went on a trip to the beach to celebrate our birthdays and so they could go to an interview in a nearby town. On the way back from that interview, we spotted the most beautiful dog we had ever seen sitting politely on the side of the road; we drove past, but very quickly decided to turn around, figuring it would be an easy task to find 
her owners and get back on our way. We were incorrect. Lady came back to the condo with us, sopping wet and flea ridden but sweet and well-mannered, and a few days later she rode along with us back home. It felt like destiny, finding her when we did, during such a significant period of our lives.
Miss Lady is around 8 or 9 years old and loves running, cats, and Trader Joe's dog treats. She has been with us for two years now, and I truly can't remember a life without her in it. She gets along so well with Clifford and has since day one, she's the best cuddler despite her bony butt, and she has the most beautiful howl. She has back leg mobility issues and will eventually lose the ability to use both, but for now she is still a very happy and active girl. She's frightened of storms but brave about everything else, and supports her brother when he's nervous about the car. I love her so much, my sweet angel girl.