Very Important Pet Parent Spotlight
Shannon Smith, Stella & Sansa
What brought you to Florida?
I am born and raised in Jacksonville. I love it here. You have the ocean, river and Intracoastal all right at your fingertips. Plus, 3 of the 4 seasons since we don’t get much of a winter! I am in new construction site sales and love helping people find their dream home!
Have you always had pets?
Yes
Please introduce us to your Fur Family. How did you meet and become FURever companions?
I currently have Stella, a rescue pit bull mix and she is about 8 now. I was only going to foster her for Animal Control since at the time I already had 2 retired greyhounds and 4 cats but I quickly became a foster failure when I fell in love and could not imagine her getting abused or abandoned again. Once my greys passed and Stella and I needed another pup, I got a new friend for her that is also a rescue from Poochies Pet Rescue Group. Sansa is a pit mix and about 3. They are smitten with each other. Always giving kisses and rolling around with each other in the house and playing in the yard. I also have 2 cats. 1 is mine and the other adopted us. They are both black and white and are buddies now too. Leo and Oreo. I love all my fur babies that have crossed over the rainbow bridge and that I currently have to take care of!
What do you love most about your pets?
It is so awesome to come home and just have the girls so excited to see me and so ready for their belly rubs and trying to kiss my face off:) Sansa loves to run in front of me and then plop down at my feet on her back for belly rubs and Stella is just always trying to give me kisses anytime my face is near hers.
How has 9 to 5 Pets made your life easier?
I work and am not able to get home during the day to let them out. 9 to 5 Pets not only lets the girls out but plays with them, gives them treats, checks on their water supply, sends me pics, and gives me daily updates on their visits. I feel like a family member is taking care of my girls while I am at work. It gives me peace of mind.
What are your favorite activities you share with your pets?
They love to all be together in my king size bed. I will be in the living room after work and one of them will start barking at me to let me know they want to sprawl out and get comfy in my room together. Also, watching them play together and the bond they have is so special to watch.
Share a fond memory with your pets:
Going to the dog park and then stopping at McDonalds to give them a cheeseburger for a treat. My one dog used to wipe off the onions and pickles with his nose and then eat everything else on the burger. No hands but he did it somehow. Too funny!
What life lessons have you learned from your Fur Family?
I started off adopting retired greyhounds after college and let each one pick out their new buddy. I had 3 and they still hold a super-special place in my heart. Now I have the 2 pit bulls and they are a totally different but super special breed as well. I have learned that even though a dogs life is short, they are not meant to be in our lives forever. That we can take care of them until their end and then be able to help save and adopt another dog not to replace them but to bring a new joy into our lives. Every pet I had is so unique and loved but never forgotten. I loved them so much I had to get another one to start caring for.
If you had to wear a T-Shirt with one word on it for a year, what word would you choose?
FAITH
If you could instantly become an expert in something what would it be?
Science. I would love to turn ocean water into drinking water to try to reverse rising ocean water from the effects of climate change in our environment. Plus, help with the shortage of spring water for the world.
What is the best gift anyone has ever given to you?
I would have to say concert tickets to a sold out Rolling Stones show. So much fun!