By Holly Leitner
It’s that time of year again when we turn our attention to the doggone cutest pups around the lake! Our fifth annual Lake Dogs portfolio sheds (no pun intended) a light on the sheer happiness that is inherent to all dogs, but especially to these water loving pooches who call Geneva Lake home. These dogs understand life at the lake — they make sure there’s time for a boat ride and a swim, an afternoon nap on a sun-drenched pier, and sunset walks along the Shore Path. We see in them, what we love about the lake — the pure joy of being in the moment, surrounded by the people and places that mean the most to us.
This year we’ve supplemented our gallery of lake dogs with three pups from the Lakeland Animal Shelter. We’re hoping this added publicity will result in forever homes for them. Look for Candy, Gunner and Bella.
Also, don’t miss our soon-to-be released book, Lake Dogs. This fun compilation of photos will be available in late fall, just in time for holiday gift giving. Stay tuned!
Favorite Lake Activity: Swimming
Pet Peeve: Not being let outside to play with the neighborhood dogs
Naughtiest Deed: They pout when owners leave
Family: The Liljebergs (Ellen, Jeff, Jack and Kelly)
Favorite Lake Activity: Swimming, boating and hanging with mom down on the pier
Pet Peeve: When Annie gets attention
Naughtiest Deed: Jumping on people and bumping her nose into people’s behinds
Family: The Liljebergs (Ellen, Jeff, Jack and Kelly)
Favorite Lake Activity: Swimming and fetching the ball in the lake
Pet Peeve: Being left in the house when family is down on the pier
Naughtiest Deed: Digging in the yard
Family: Ransom-Rozolis Family
Favorite Lake Activity: People watching at The Abbey Harbor
Pet Peeve: When Tiny gets more attention
Naughtiest Deed: Taking Tiny’s food without asking
Rescue: Yes, Tiny and Tim are a bonded pair found in Texas
Family: Ransom-Rozolis Family
Favorite Lake Activity: Riding in the boat on a sunny day
Pet Peeve: Freshly mowed grass (has allergies and sneezes quite a bit)
Naughtiest Deed: Stealing socks from the laundry basket
Rescue: Yes
Family: Mary, Anthony and Thomas Ferrini
Favorite Lake Activity: Walking the lake, meeting all the other dogs and letting them know the best sniffing spots
Pet Peeve: Other dogs NOT on a leash as it scares him and his family
Naughtiest Deed: Chasing squirrels, but he doesn’t want to hurt them, just play
Family: Spencer, Carrie, Betty and Danny Moysey
Favorite Lake Activity: Watching birds and squirrels from the deck
Pet Peeve: Ants on the deck — she tries to eat them
Naughtiest Deed: Escaping from the house, but she ends up back on the deck no matter what
Rescue: Yes, from PAWS Chicago
Best Thing About Her: Always happy to see you!
Pet Peeve: When her friend was adopted without her
Favorite Toy: Anything chewy
Other Notable Attributes: All-around sweetheart!
Family: The Cunninghams
Favorite Lake Activity: Greeting people along the Shore Path and swimming in the lake
Pet Peeve: People swimming in the lake without him
Naughtiest Deed: Stealing golf balls off the golf course greens at Lake Geneva Country Club
Family: The Leising Family (Nick, Jessica, Emma, Audrey and Evan)
Favorite Lake Activity: Helping navigate the pontoon or riding in the kayak
Pet Peeve: When she gets left behind
Naughtiest Deed: Eating the cat food
Rescue: Yes
Family: Matt and Katie Oglesby
Favorite Lake Activity: Retrieving his retriever toy. As long as he’s in the water, he’s happy!
Pet Peeve: His little brother stealing his retriever toy when swimming
Naughtiest Deed: Hiding socks
Best Thing About Him: Best snuggler ever!
Pet Peeve: Dogs that bark a lot
Favorite Toy: Any stuffed toy
Other Notable Attributes: Looking for a home and family of his own to snuggle with full time!
Family: Vivian, Brian, Illidan and Mister
Favorite Lake Activity: Greeting anybody who walks by for petting
Pet Peeve: Not being able to run after anything she wants
Naughtiest Deed: Steals Dad’s socks and hand towels for keep away games
Family: Brad & Carol Scharfenorth
Favorite Lake Activity: Dock diving
Pet Peeve: Waiting in line at dock diving
Naughtiest Deed: Digging up sheets on the bed
Family: Brad & Carol Scharfenorth
Favorite Lake Activity: Swimming/fishing with us on our boat
Pet Peeve: Waiting for her dinner
Naughtiest Deed: Shredding toys
Family: The Polkow Family
Favorite Lake Activity: Swimming
Pet Peeve: When someone touches his feet
Naughtiest Deed: He shredded his dog bed
Family: The Furlongs
Favorite Lake Activity: Dock diving and duck chasing
Pet Peeve: Chipmunk invaders
Naughtiest Deed: Caught a skunk (twice)
Family: Erika, Danielle and Lauren Hedlin
Favorite Lake Activity: Swimming with all the kids in the neighborhood
Pet Peeve: When family jumps in the water before her and starts swimming away from the pier
Naughtiest Deed: She likes to think she is a person and will jump on a dining chair while family is eating at the table.
Family: Caralyn Anderson Dunklau and kids, Sam and Lily Dunklau
Favorite Lake Activity: Swimming, swimming and more swimming
Pet Peeve: Squirrels Naughtiest Deed: Taking herself on lake walks and stealing her doggie friends’ toys
Family: Courtney and Adam
Favorite Lake Activity: Swimming
Pet Peeve: Grooming, especially getting her nails clipped
Naughtiest Deed: Damaged a park bench that she was tied to while her mom was in the post office
Best Thing About Her: Fun-loving girl!
Pet Peeve: Not getting enough attention — she is a bit of a diva
Favorite Toy: Bones to chew
Other Notable Attributes: Loves to play as often as she can
Family: The Leitners
Favorite Lake Activity: Watching the Shore Path and lakeside naps
Pet Peeve: Other dogs and fireworks Naughtiest Deed: Snoring loudly and waking up family
Rescue: Yes, from Rocky Ridge Refuge, Arkansas
Family: Mark and Sherry Coughlin
Favorite Lake Activity: Retrieving rocks
Pet Peeve: Afraid of guns even though he’s a hunting dog
Naughtiest Deed: He had an “arts and crafts day” with his dog bed. (It’s just a pile of stuffing.)
