25-041 Stormy  and  25-042 Thena  are a mother–daughter pair of AKC Golden Retrievers with very different personalities, yet they are inseparable. Their former owner, who loved them dearly, was  moving and sadly could not take them along. Lucky for them, an adoptive couple were ready to welcome two four-legged darlings into their home.  Stormy , the mom, is two-and-a-half years old. Her daughter  Thena , who now is known as  Zena , is a one-year-old and full of  energy. She is adventurous, playful, and endlessly curious – always exploring, sniffing, and tasting the world around her.  Zena  doesn’t pay much attention to cats, preferring to devote herself to toys, games, and finding mischief. I bet you will feel the proud parents’ sentiments here:  Since arriving in June, both girls have made tremendous progress. Their coats are now soft and shiny, and  Zena  has grown noticeably. They look healthy and happy, so much so that their previous owner wouldn’t recognize them!  Watch out New York Fashion week! There are two new models in town! If you’re looking for something to make you shake your head in disbelief and just laugh endlessly, continue reading for the adopters' account of the new models in town: 

Stormy  quickly revealed her clever side after her spay surgery when she managed to escape not just one, but two cones in less than a min ute. We finally found the solution! She absolutely loves her Onesie  and struts around in it like a fashion queen. It even works as a  comfort outfit during thunderstorms.  Because the stones in the yard bothered her paws, we added “astroturf runways,” which both dogs now walk down like models on a fashion show catwalk! 

Buckle up for this tale as told by her owners:  Stormy  is a TV enthusiast. She’ll happily watch an entire animal documentary, completely engrossed. She adores the laser game too, sitting patiently (but insistently!) to let us know it’s time to play with the Munchkin cat often joining us.  Zena , meanwhile, is our little   clown. We keep two toy bins filled, but   she insists on emptying them because, naturally, the toy she wants is always at the bottom. She’s still a bit uncoordinat ed – often sliding off the couch – but it   doesn’t faze her in the least. She proudly   carries her beloved stuffies around, even after “surgery” when the stuffing has to be mended. As with  many rescue pups, it’s all part of the adventure to have skills they need to improve. 

Thanks to their dedication and love, these adopters' pups are thriving! Here’s their progress report:  When they  first arrived, leash walks were a struggle—especially with  Zena  – even a short block was exhausting. Now, they both walk three miles daily (early, before the heat), and are even beginning to run alongside us. Trail hikes are their favorite, often convincing us to change routes so they can explore.  Zena  has already joined in on a hike while  Stormy  recovered from surgery, and we’re looking forward to many more as the weather cools.  Stormy  and  Zena  came from a very small world, but it has been a joy watching them discover so much more. They are still cautious around new people and dogs, yet they are making steady progress.  And we will end with this heartfelt sentiment:  Above all, they are thriving, happy, and bringing countless smiles and laughter into our home.