Name: Boone.

Breed: Hound/Retriever mix (simply put, he's a mutt)

Size: approx. 45 lbs

Temperament: playful and submissive

This is Boone! We got him almost 2 months ago, and we absolutely love him! He's about 8 months old and most likely about as big as he's going to get. Boone had been fostered by a friend through the Humane Society when we were tipped off that he needed a home. I had promised Sarah a pet when she finished cancer treatment, and Boone was a perfect fit for our lifestyle. A good ole' southern dog. We went trekking through the woods this morning and it felt like a scene out of "Where the Red Fern Grows." He is so friendly and is good about matching the mood in the room. While he is generally pretty calm, it's not hard to get him wound up. His favorite game is "run around the cul-de-sac like a maniac." Other games include variations of fetch and our home edition of ultimate fighting.

Playfullness aside, he is surprisingly obedient. It doesn't take much for him to transition out of play mode and into complete submission. As long as you are assertive, he'll do whatever you want him to do. This morning I had him following me in circles around the couch as we patrolled the living room for several minutes. Thus, the area was secured. Good boy, Boone! You earned breakfast!

With that said it's 3:10 and time for breakfast. What can I say, it's Sunday.