Where Heart & Home Began
The Inspiration Behind Heart & Home Pet Care
Chloe
Chloe is our country girl from Amish country in Ohio, with a tender heart and enough sass to go around! She loves to run, adores her family, and, despite her adventurous spirit, is scared of the dark. As our first female dog, she's certainly kept us entertained with her big personality and "all about her" attitude. And while most dogs destroy their toys, Chloe has carefully held onto her beloved "Scooby" that was gifted to her by Grandma.
Blackjack
Blackjack was my very first horse, and I'm blessed to still have him today. When he first came to me, he was nearly unrideable, but with time and patience, he became a horse who has now helped teach several young girls how to ride. There's something incredibly rewarding about watching the horse who helped shape my own childhood give other horse-crazy kids the opportunities I once dreamed of. He's taught me just as much about patience and perseverance as I could ever teach him.
Bailey
Bailey was our Standard Poodle, a Craigslist find who had been passed from home to home because he was anything but easy. He was an escape artist, food thief (would climb on top of the kitchen counter and on top of the fridge to get food), and determined hunter, he certainly kept us on our toes. But underneath all that trouble was one of the sweetest, most loving family dogs. We never seemed to end up with the easy animals, just the ones who needed a little extra patience and acceptance. This dog served our family well, and he is very missed.
Sebastian
Sebastian was our family Pit Bull and one of the biggest lovebugs you could ever meet. Despite the reputation surrounding his breed, he was my gaurdian and "babysitter" as a baby, and he greeted every one of my mom's patients at the door. He taught me early on that how we raise, treat, and care for animals has a tremendous influence on their behavior. Sebastian was proof that you can't judge a dog by its breed.
Nibbles
Nibbles was my childhood goat, best buddy, and probably one of the most stubborn animals I've ever known! He was impatient and full of personality, and also unusually large in size. Before I got my first horse at 14, Nibbles was kind enough to let me ride him down to the creek and back.
Huey
Huey is an off-the-track Thoroughbred who had been passed between owners, becoming more anxious and difficult to handle along the way. From flipping over in cross-ties and bolting to refusing to load on trailers, he was a horse who needed patience, calmness, and someone willing to understand him. Watching him learn to relax, trust people, and let his guard down has been incredibly rewarding. Huey reinforced one of my strongest beliefs about horsemanship: it's not just about training the horse, but becoming a better horseman or horsewoman ourselves.
Fancy Feet
Fancy Feet was a Brahma chicken with the sweetest soul. She knew her name and would come running across the yard whenever I called. My brother and I spent countless afternoons under our apple trees sharing her favorite treat with her. She's a big reason I still have such a love for chickens today and a testament to the fact that in my opinion, chickens are definitely not "dumb!"