Dave Luczak with Rocky, 2; Zack, 8; and Cosmo, 5
Q: How did the trio become part of the Luczak family?
A: Three dogs, three stories. The kids talked us into Zack, said he’d
be company for our other dog Jackson (who died two years ago.) Cosmo
was a gift from me to Cindy for our anniversary and we got Rocky a
week after Jackson died. The other two were so depressed they just sat
and stared at the door for a full week after Jackson (the oldest)
died. Rocky snapped them out of the funk they were in.
Q: Did you ever picture yourself with this type of dog?
A: I didn’t picture myself with any dog. The kids talked us into
our first dog back in the ’90s. They actually told me it would lower
my blood pressure and help me live longer. At the time my blood
pressure was fine. Now? It’s 10-plus years later and my blood
pressure is getting higher every day.
Q: Was it love at first sight?
A: Love? How about like? I have a deal with them: don’t mess in
the house, don’t chew on my stuff and I’ll let you sleep indoors
tonight. They seem to understand this since they abide by all the
rules.
Q: What are your dogs’ best qualities?
A: They have brown eyes, big ears and beards, just like me.
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Broadcast
Meteorologist - Mornings on TODAY’S TMJ4 and Newsradio 620
WTMJ"
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Craig Koplein with Maggie, 7
Q: How did Maggie come to be part of your family?
A: Shortly after my wife and I were married someone told me to
either have kids or get a dog first, but don’t do both at the same
time. We went the kids route, daughter, daughter, daughter. And chaos
ensued. Over time, however, the kids became less dependent on us and
more influential over us. It was the three girls who eventually turned
the screws hard enough to lead us to get Maggie. We found a lady who
had a litter of puppies, and within a few weeks we were well on our
way to having our house perennially coated in a layer of dog fur.
Q: How did you decide on a golden retriever?
A: I didn’t know much about goldens before we got Maggie, but I
did know I wanted a family dog. And I wanted a big dog. Not huge-big,
but I knew I didn’t want one of those little "ankle-biter"
types. Poodles, wiener dogs — not my thing. If I was going to get a
dog, I was going to get a DOG.
Q: Was it love at first sight?
A: When we went to pick her out, Maggie was just one of a bunch of
little golden puppies running around in a yard. It was impossible not
to love everyone of them at first sight. We took some time with them
and tried to pick out the one that seemed to have the most spunk. In
hindsight, a little less spunk probably would have been OK, too.
Q: What is Maggie’s best quality?
A: It’s easily her unconditional love. Maggie is happy to see me
no matter what. When I come home from work, she meets me at the door,
tail wagging, with a ball in her mouth. When I wake up in the morning,
she greets me like I’ve been gone for a week’s vacation. If I
leave the room for five minutes to use the bathroom, she’s ready to
throw a welcome back party when I return.
Q: Who’s the boss?
A: I was dead-set against letting Maggie on the furniture. When she
was young and she tried to jump onto a couch, chair or bed, I
continually chased her off. I did this for months and months and then
years. I’ll give her credit, she was persistent. She continually
snuck up on to couches and chairs for her naps. Her doggedness (get
it?) eventually paid off. I finally gave up. She lays where she wants
now.
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Stylist/
Education Director for Beauty Inc.
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Bjorn Nasett with Pharaoh, 9; Sinclair, 14; and Bert, 14
Q: What’s the story that brought you together?
A: I got my first Italian Greyhound from neighbors who were moving
and could not take their elderly and sickly dog with them to New York
City. I found myself buying a house for us a year later. Then came
another Italian Greyhound from rescue to keep the first one company.
When I had to put the first down because of a stroke, I brought on
another dog in need, and then about two years later I got a third one.
Q: Did you ever picture yourself with this type of dog?
A: No, not really, I thought the first Italian Greyhound, Isaac,
was really homely. A face only a parent could love!
Q: What do you love about this breed?
A: They are sweet-natured dogs, with large soulful eyes that you
can’t resist. Their smallness makes you want to protect them.
Q: What are your dogs’ best qualities?
A: They love to snuggle and go under blankets. Plus they sleep
about three quarters of the time. They don’t bark much and certainly
do not have aggressive tendencies at all. Since they have little hair
there is no shedding to speak of. They do not lick people’s faces or
lick at all, really.
Q: How did the dogs get their names?
A: Rescue pets come with given names already, so usually you don’t
change them unless they do not fit their personalities. I left their
names as is.
Q: Who’s the master of whom?
A: Well, anyone who has pets knows that when you take an animal
into your home and vow to take care of its health and well-being, they
become your master. Much like children are sometimes a joyous
responsibility, they have good and bad days.
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Fox6 News
Anchor
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Ted Perry and Chili, 8
Q: Did you ever picture yourself with this type of dog?
A: He’s half Rott and half shepherd. I always liked German
shepherds and had been dog sitting for some good friends of mine who
had one. I went to the Wisconsin Humane Society looking for a shepherd
and was almost going to adopt one when they said, "Hold on, you
have to see the shep mix we just got in." It took me a whole 10
seconds to decide to take him. I never thought I’d ever want a dog
with any Rott in it, but I think they’re great dogs.
Q: What is Chili’s best quality?
A: I think, like most people’s dogs, his best quality is that he
fits in. I can take him on camping and hiking trips and he holds his
own, but can also just hang out at the foot of the couch if I don’t
feel like doing anything. He actually seems to read my mood pretty
well, as crazy as that sounds.
Q: How did Chili get his name?
A: Naming was tough. I got him on President’s Day and played with
the idea of giving him a name of a president. "Nixon"
"Wilson" — none of them worked, and besides, it sounded
kind of pretentious. He was named "Dexter" by the humane
society but that wasn’t happening. So he was nameless for 48 hours
and I was walking him and decided I was hungry for "Real
Chili" and I just said, "Chili," and he looked up.
Voila, problem solved.
Q: Who’s the master?
A: I’m sure he tells the neighborhood dogs that he rules the
roost, but I’ll just say this, I don’t have to stand by my bowl
and beg him to fill it up.
Food is power and I control the eating schedule.