Real Characters & Stories

The real Chelsea:

Chelsea represents Sheila's daughter Stephanie and son-in-law Ryan’s beloved Shih Tzu, otherwise known as "The Chelse." The Chelse was a happy and adaptable dog who lived in nine different places in her 18 years. She was happy in all of them. The Chelse will be forever missed.

The real Nubby-Bean:

Nubby-Bean, or Tucker, is Sheila and her husband David’s beloved Boykin Spaniel who left his earthly life in August 2023 at just eight years old. His loss tears at the hearts of everyone who threw him a ball or gave him a cookie. He will be forever mourned, loved, cherished, and missed.

The real Buster:

Buster, or Buh-Buh, is Sheila's daughter Jackie, son-in-law Matt, and granddaughters Lilah and Eliana’s adored Brussels Griffon. Buster was the first dog in the whole family’s journey into dog love. He crossed the Rainbow Bridge after giving more than 16 years of love and devotion. Buh-Buh will be missed forever.

The real Bufie:

Buford was hit by a car crossing a highway in Alabama. Buford's humans saw a picture of him and took him in as a foster adoption. They did not want to bring Bufie to any adoption events because they did not want to lose him. He became their foster fail. And he was spoiled and loved until he had to cross the Rainbow Bridge.

The real Dex:

Dexter was living a good life with an older couple. When the human dad died, the human mom could no longer care for Dex, so they brought him to the shelter. Dex had a lung disease making it very hard for him to live anywhere with stairs. The Freedom Project, an organization that helps senior dogs, accepted him into their Save Our Seniors Program. When he came to live with Rebecca and Scott, they were told that he would most likely be a hospice foster, but in the end, he lived his best life for another two years.