She’s a pint-sized gift wrapped in tiger-and-white velvet, and she’ll cradle you in a luscious purr that’s bigger than both of you put together. At one year old Vivi’s an ever-pouring fountain of pure contentment — adoring you is what she was born for, and her miniature form makes her ginormous warmth that much more touching.

His name is Canyon and the depth of his Dachshund appeal defies description — the gleam of his black and brown coat is rivaled only by the playful gleam in his eye, and when he runs to you his jubilant spirit reaches you even before his beautifully-built young body. Canyon was turned in by his owner;

She’s named for the goddess of wisdom, courage and inspiration, but our petite retriever/mix Athena embodies these traits easily and blows right by — she’s more a super-charged playmate than a regal entity, and the reality of her down-home affection is so much warmer than any myth. Athena was found stray but she’s already been spayed;

She rolls on her back submissively at first, but then the real Sasha shines through — 30 lbs. of brindle Shepherd/mix beauty, gentle, well-formed, intelligent and loving, ready to run gleefully with her dog playmates, then land tenderly in your arms. Sasha was found stray in Greenwood, a naturally civilized year and a half year old living on the streets,