1 minute read
A Trio of Furry Fun
BY RESIDENT AND JUNIOR WRITER HANNA STOLLE THIS FEATURE SPONSORED BY MIGHTY CLEAN CARPET CARE
Mike Daugherty and his furry friends live in Willowsford, in the Grant. He has three amazing dogs: Cara who is 7 1/2, Bentley who is 4, and Keller who is also 4. Cara, born 2015 in England, is a very smart and observant dog. She is also a very dedicated mother. In 2018 she had a litter of 11 puppies. One of her puppies didn’t open its eyes when the time came. Mike soon found out Keller was blind. He ended up keeping both Keller and his brother Bentley, so Keller wouldn’t get lonely. Because Keller was blind, he was named after Helen Keller who was not only blind but also deaf. The dogs spend a lot of their day outside. They even have a special part of the yard just for them, equipped with a doggy door! Some of their favorite toys are empty plastic water bottles, sticks, or just what the other dogs have. Since Keller is blind, he has a heightened sense of smell and hearing. Because of this, Keller can memorize a house or area. He then knows where everything is located which helps him get around easier.
But Bentley is the goofball of the group; always playing and needing something to chew on. When they’re not bouncing around in their big backyard or playing with their favorite toys, they might be way up in the sky on a plane. This special privilege is because Mike is also a pilot. These lucky pups have been to Florida, Georgia, and even Michigan! There is never a dull moment at the Daugherty residence! Ever since they moved to Virginia, the dogs have also gotten more enrichment from animals. They are much more stimulated here with all of the wild deer. Keller especially likes to bark at them. But wherever they are, up in the sky, barking at animals, playing with toys, or even just taking a nap, this incredibly cute trio will always have a place in Mike’s heart.
