Whether they’re leading us on daily walks, vegging out with us on the couch, or greeting us with love and licks when we come through the door, our pets make our lives happier, healthier, and more fulfilling. In honor of National Pet Week, Senator Coons’ office is celebrating our favorite four-legged family members and the unconditional love they give us everyday.
From Delaware to D.C., here’s a sampling of the furry companions we’re lucky to have in our lives:
1. Chris Coons, Senator
Pet: Riley, age 6, Lab-Corgi mix
Furry Fact: We adopted Riley six years ago from Faithful Friends, a no-kill shelter. He looks like a giant lab but has very little legs! We adore Riley. He is the sweetest, most loving dog and a big part of our family. Riley absolutely loves people and loves to walk in parades. He truly lives the life of Riley!
2. Ian Koski, Communications Director
Pet: Parker, age 8, Lab mix
Bark Bio: Parker is a frequent and beloved visitor to the office, always eager to make friends with Capitol Police officers and staffers from other offices in Russell. She even watched the State of the Union this year from Ian’s office! Parker’s mom adopted her on the same day Tim Kaine was elected governor of Virginia in 2005.
3. Desiree Burritt, Constituent Advocate
Pet: Titus Irons Burritt, age 4, Black German Shepherd
Furry Fact: Titus was a mere 65 pounds when he was saved from a hoarding situation in Hampton Roads, VA by the Southeastern German Shepherd Rescue. We adopted him in October 2013. Titus was named after one of our ancestors who served in the Civil War. Titus enjoys “playing” with the 5 felines we are employed by and his sister, Darby O’Gill Burritt, another shepherd mix rescue.
4. Kate Rohrer, Kent & Sussex Counties Director
Pet: Kate’s Pack (left to right): Lacey, Kiki and Bowie, age 10, Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Bark Bio: Greatest companions ever – Lacey and Kiki are littermates, first generation from the States. Their parents were from South Africa so it seems especially appropriate they’re a part of Team Coons. I was lucky enough to have been given Bowie when he was retired from lure coursing almost three years ago. Even though I don’t have lions in Marydel to hunt, they have been known to have munched on a deer or two, and bicyclists tend to pedal really fast when they see the three of them coming!
5. Erin Cybulski, Constituent Advocate
Pet: Shmuli the Puli, age 5, Puli
Furry Fact: Shmuli gets very offended when people think he needs a haircut, his dreads will touch the ground when he is fully grown and he is very proud of them 😉 His fun fact is he sings. When you ask Shmuli, “who is the best pup?” he howls and carries on because he knows the answer is him. He’s salty and grumbly and I just love him to death!
6. James Daley, Systems Administrator
Pet: Bisan Laureno, age 14, Dalmatian; Angus, age 11, Tuxedo Cat
Bark Bio: Angus follows us round the block for walks. We fostered Bisan and his brothers and sisters and eventually decided to keep him. When we got his adoption papers we found out he was born on the day my wife Wendy and I got married – April 1, 2000!
7. Lisa Hummon-Jones, Legislative Assistant
Pet: Sandy, age 8, Mutt (Shepherd, Blue Heeler, Pit Bull mix)
Furry Fact: Sandy is quite the traveler. Lisa adopted her in New Mexico, and she has traveled coast to coast, swam in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, as well as the Gulf of Mexico, hiked in the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains, has lived in five states, and most recently enjoyed BBQ in Birmingham, AL for Lisa and husband Josh’s wedding. Good thing she loves car rides!
8. Jamie Serlin, Deputy Press Secretary
Pet: Vince, age 5 (approx.), Mutt (Lhasa Apso, Terrier mix)
Bark Bio: Vince was adopted from Main Line Animal Rescue on July 4, 2009. He was a shaggy stray and became a new man with his first haircut. Since we don’t know his birthday (or exact age) we celebrate his “independence day” instead every year on July 4th. He is sweet and rambunctious and will eat just about anything!
9. LaTisha Bracy, Projects Director
Pet: Bella Bracy, age 6, French Bulldog
Furry Fact: Bella hates to lay anywhere without her blanket and she has a plush bone that she carries around and sucks like a pacifier. If her blanket isn’t near she will whine until someone gets it. Bella also snores like a grown man.
10. Brian Cunningham, State Press Secretary
Pet: Bailey, age 10
Bark Bio: We got him as a gift for our one-year wedding anniversary present. He loves kids, peanut butter and barking for no apparent reason.
11. Lynne Phifer, Staff Assistant
Pet: Elle “MacPhifer,” age 4, Yellow Labrador
Furry Fact: Elle is named after Elle Macpherson, super model, because she is so beautiful, just like a super model. Just look at those eyes!
12. Andrew Dinsmore, Projects Manager
Pet: Lacey, age 12
Bark Bio: Lacey only likes stuffed hedgehogs to play with and she can open the refrigerator with her nose, which is why we have to get child locks for the fridge for every place we live.
13. Molly Cain, Intern
Pet: Annie (Ragged Sail), age 23, Thoroughbred
Furry Fact: Her show name is Ragged Sail, but her nickname is Annie. She’s 23 (so getting up there in years,) and we competed in the horse sport called Eventing, which has one phase of Dressage and two phases of jumping. At Nationals in Lexington, Kentucky, we placed 4th overall. Unfortunately Annie got a serious neurologic disease right afterward and nearly died. Thankfully, she pulled through and now enjoys a life out in the pasture.
National Pet Week, established in 1981 by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Auxiliary to the AVMA, is held annually during the first full week in May. National Pet Week aims to promote responsible pet ownership and honor the unique bond between America’s pets and their adoptive families. To find out more about National Pet Week click here.