behind the (other) camera

I'm Brandy, the recent human addition to Chad's roommate list. You might know the other 4-legged roommates as Ramsey, Pablo, and recently, Suvi.

Chad's told you all a little bit about Suvi and me, but I thought it might be nice to share more about me, our lives together, and what it's like being the girl behind the (other) camera.

A little about me:

I'm originally from a very small town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I grew up on my grandparent's hobby farm, with horses, rabbits, cats, chickens and of course, dogs. Dogs were my first passion - and we had many of them growing up - everyone in my family is a sucker for animals in need, and we were forever taking in strays of every sort.

Dingo (she was a dingo mix, and I was 4. cut me some slack on the naming.) was the first dog that really truly belonged to me. She was a white dog, with tan patches, and tan freckles on her nose - everyone always says that dogs and owners look alike, right?! My second passion growing up was horses, and Dingo must have understood. She let me put her on a lunge line, and humored me while I commanded her to walk, trot, and canter. She played in the pasture with the horses and me, and she stayed by my side when I had chicken pox. And then later the same week as the chicken pox, she had puppies, and I stayed by her side while she nursed and let me help her care for the new babies. It was this way until my college years.

When I moved to Minneapolis, life took a busier turn. Work, school, and brand new friends and family kept me busy. My personal life seemed to always have me dating someone who was allergic to dogs - which I couldn't explain, and my family couldn't fathom. I followed every dog rescue I could find online, and stalked Petfinder looking for what I hoped would be the dog that would fit my lifestyle and would be my new best friend.

I waited for years, and then in 2009, I found Suvi. Well, I actually found Fergie...who was named by her rescue mom after Fergie from the band Black-Eyed Peas (she was born with a black spot over one eye). And then I found her mom, Sula. And 7 of her sisters and brothers. And I couldn't decide whom to adopt. And so, I chose the baby with the freckles and way too much personality... I chose a name that reminded me of her momma, Sula, and also had a Finnish heritage - because she was now a part of our very Finnish family. Suvi it was.

A little about Suvi:

She's changed my life. Cliche, or not, it's true. She's taught me patience, understanding, and what it's like to be unfairly judged. She handles life with kisses, exuberance, and the most unpolished antics of any dog I've ever seen.

Did I mention she's a pit bull? I pray for the day that fact is completely inconsequential. She's oblivious, except for the times that people unexpectedly stop petting her and oooo'ing over her looks, because they don't like the answer to that ever-present question "what kind of dog is she?"

Suvi's favorite things in life are kisses. She kisses anyone and everyone, including her new sister and brother (Rams and Pab, of course). She is absolutely crazy in love with her Daddy, and I can't blame her, because so am I. She is so happy to have built-in playmates at home (she used to go to daycare for playtime), and we're loving every minute of watching the three of them bond. She loves treats, and will say please or show you her belly to get one. Who can hate a polite pit bull?!

Chad and I are unbelievably lucky to have such amazing 4-legged family members, and even luckier to have found one another. We are thankful every day to share a common passion, and to be able to share it with others, as well.

P.S. We no longer refer to the pups as "roommates" - they're our kids (the only ones for the time being), and we are the puppy momma and daddy.