Please allow us to introduce you to our 4 footed family!

Meet Zakary "Shredder" Jacob "Bubbles" Benoit ski!  Yes, if you are wondering, there is a story behind his name.  Upon coming home as a three-month old, we waited for him to lead us to his name.  When nothing immediately presented itself, we started throwing out names we thought were good for an Australian Shepherd and eventually settled on Zakary Jacob Benoit, Zak for short.  Soon, however, puppyhood really set in and he began shredding everything in sight with those sharp little teeth, hence "Shredder."  A couple of months later he acquired his second nickname, "Bubbles," when he would go after his toy when it landed in water.  As he dives in, he blows bubbles!  Now for the "Ski" part.  One day Denis was joking around and added it for fun!  So there you have it; Zakary "Shredder" Jacob "Bubbles" Benoit ski!
Zak is now eight months old.  He still chews everything in sight, but usually only when he have to leave him home alone.  He loves going on mountain bike rides with us and keeps up handily.  He lopes along at around 12 mph with no problem and gives bursts of speed to 20 mph.  He also loves to kayak and usually rides on the back.  His favorite game is chasing and retrieving a stick, especially when we throw it in the water!

Denis and Zak on Whiskeytown Lake

Ginger on the left and Montana on the right do not like each other, however they will call a truce when it comes to sharing the water drained off the tuna!
Ginger came to live with us when she was just a baby and was really too little to be taken off her mommy.  She didn't even know how to lap up water.  I had to put water on the end of my finger and let her lick it off.  Until she was about three months old she slept on the pillow, right by my face.  Although she loves a good petting, she would rather not be picked up.  Her favorite room in the house is the bathroom, specifically the bathtub!  She is now a healthy thirteen-year-old!
Montana moved in when he was around two.  He wandered into my office and made himself at home.  I had never seen such a skinny, scrawny and flea-ridden cat, but his deep purr and gratefulness for a handout won me over.  A couple of days later after a trip to the vet to make sure he didn't have any health problems, he came home.  He soon blossomed from 7 pounds up to 17.  A lover by nature, he pines when his people go anywhere, even for just a few hours. He is thirteen years young and still going strong.

Zak is really trying to be friends with the cats.  Ginger seems to be somewhat more willing, to a point.  Notice they are judicisously ignoring each other, while being absolutely aware that they are almost too close for comfort.

Zak hangin out at the Farmer's Market. 

This was his spot for the day

Ginger needs her rest, high on the cat tree after being harassed by ZAK!