When Jasper found Thomas Martella, he was 6 months old and lacking a middle name. Jasper is what he is — a mixed breed but mostly a Pitt-Lab with webbed feet but sadly no ability to swim. Jasper soon became Jasper Roosevelt and he is now 12. Thomas and Jasper Roosevelt are key members of The Dogsters, a collection of dogs and their humans who meet every morning in Lafayette Park. Jasper keeps his family lively and travels with them. His best trick is "Sit." Thomas, a Supporting Member of NNV, says "in my next life I am going to be a dog in Chevy Chase."

Nora, also a Supporting Member, is experiencing her first female dog, a German Shepherd with a wonderful temperament. Zara, who was adopted at age 3 or 4, is now 8. She knows commands — sit, lie, and down, which she performs with zest, especially when food is involved. Nora has not always been able to walk Zara, so she has a dog walker twice a day and she lets the dog out in the backyard. Because of Nora's health concerns, she considers sweet Zara to be emotionally essential to her life aging in community.

Leslie, on NNV's staff since 2019, got Comet, a rescue whose DNA is 80% poodle and 20% West Highland terrier, when she was a puppy. The family named her Comet because she is black with white on her chin and chest. She is now 15 years old, deaf and arthritic but Comet has not lost any of her enthusiasm for life, although she can no longer roll over. Her remaining trick is to sneeze on command, something she learned because she got treats. Leslie says, "Comet adds so much to my life and my family's. She is always there to cheer us up."

Christina got Franklin because she lives alone and wanted companionship. She named him Franklin because she wanted a name that suited a mature dog, because she went to Penn, and because Ben Franklin was the only Founding Father with a sense of humor. Franklin, who is 21 months old, is a Bichon Frisé, Christina's third one. Luckily, Franklin is very sociable with dogs and people. Christina is a full member of NNV who uses driving and other services. She says "My puppy is my wellness plan. He senses I am down sometimes and is a wonderful companion."

Buffy is one of the loves of Jamie and Stuart Butler's lives. He is now 12 but they got him at age 5; he was the most expensive possible 70^th birthday present for Stuart. Buffy came with his name, which he kept since he had already answered to it for so long. Other than that, he had few accomplishments to his name when he arrived — no experience with a leash, no ability to climb stairs, not really house broken, and no bark for two years. It is a good thing, Buffy won his new family's hearts because he required a lot of training and socialization. Jamie and Stuart are supporting members of NNV and Jamie is a member of the Board. Stuart is a researcher of villages with a focus on the social determinants of health.

Maggie, a 12-year-old Shih-tzu mix, is a central figure in the household of NNV Executive Director, Stephanie Chong. Maggie joined the Chongs when their daughters were 7 and 4. Stephanie says, "Maggie enriched their childhood while the 3 of them grew up together." While they witness their little lady get older, they see the ups and downs that are part of aging; she has good days and not-so-good days and "we ride the wave with her as she teaches us what it is like to get older." Stephanie believes that any pet would make aging in community a joy. But especially Maggie.

Pete is Karen Petrou's guide dog. He is a 2-and-a-half-year-old German Shepherd that has been with her since February. Pete came from Fidelco after Karen had a long, challenging interval between guide dogs. Karen takes full care of Pete except when she is ill; on rare occasions, she has a dog walker for him. Also, she arranges play dates for Pete so he has some fun. Karen has been a full member of NNV for two years. She takes advantage of volunteers who walk trails in Rock Creek Park with her and Pete. Karen also uses volunteers for transport to doctor's visits. Asked whether Pete is essential to her ability to live happily on her own, Karen said "ours is a great, profound friendship, it is almost spiritual."

Last but not least is Milo, my almost 13-year-old Australian Shepherd. Milo, who lived his first 8 years in Vermont in a house with a meadow, has adjusted well to city life in an apartment. He and I walk several miles through the neighborhood or in Rock Creek Park every morning. Then there are several more shorter walks throughout the day. Milo is a bit of an oddball — he has never liked dog toys, he does not show the slightest interest in balls, and he is very selective about which dogs to sniff, much less play with. Labradors of all colors are his favorite flavor. But Milo loves his parents and is a great communicator; we never run out of things to say. By the way, my husband and I are supporting members of NNV; he has been a driver. I am on the Board and volunteer with several full members, as well as lead walks.

What have I learned? In NNV's catchment area, there are dog people and not-dog people. We dog owners love and rely on our canines for companionship, fun indoors and out, and unconditional love. They help us age in community. For those of us lucky enough to have dogs, they are true NNV supporting members!

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