Pet’s Place: Life With a Big, Slurpy Dog
A Florida couple make a few changes around the house to save their pillows and rug from an onslaught of slobber
Brenna Malmberg
22 January 2018
Photos from Shannon Kirsten
Pet at a Glance
Pet: Blade, a Dogo Argentino
Age: 1
Location: Bradenton, Florida
Owner: Shannon Kirsten, illustrator and surface designer, and her boyfriend, Hunter Gett
Meet Blade. He’s a 98-pound (and growing!) pup that loves attention from anyone and everyone, including his owners, Shannon Kirsten and Hunter Gett. “He literally loves all people and other animals,” Kirsten says. “He wants to say hi to everyone when we go for walks.”
The couple got Blade when he was 9 weeks old. He wasn’t a big dog yet, but they knew he would be before too long. That’s why they gave him a “tough guy” name that would grow with him.
Pet at a Glance
Pet: Blade, a Dogo Argentino
Age: 1
Location: Bradenton, Florida
Owner: Shannon Kirsten, illustrator and surface designer, and her boyfriend, Hunter Gett
Meet Blade. He’s a 98-pound (and growing!) pup that loves attention from anyone and everyone, including his owners, Shannon Kirsten and Hunter Gett. “He literally loves all people and other animals,” Kirsten says. “He wants to say hi to everyone when we go for walks.”
The couple got Blade when he was 9 weeks old. He wasn’t a big dog yet, but they knew he would be before too long. That’s why they gave him a “tough guy” name that would grow with him.
Around the house. Kirsten loves a good throw pillow, but when Blade moved in, she learned that her favorite ones couldn’t live on the sofa anymore. “He would cozy up with all the pillows and drool on them,” she says with a laugh.
Curtains: Urban Outfitters; sofa and chair: vintage; stool: Target
Curtains: Urban Outfitters; sofa and chair: vintage; stool: Target
He also has a bed and blanket on the floor in the living room so he doesn’t slobber directly on the white rug.
Dog bed: Target; browse dog beds
Dog bed: Target; browse dog beds
On the job. Kirsten creates illustrations for cards, prints, wrapping paper and more and has a creative space in the couple’s 1920s bungalow.
When she works from home, Blade comes into her creative space to check on her throughout the day — and tries to get on her lap.
When she works from home, Blade comes into her creative space to check on her throughout the day — and tries to get on her lap.
Blade has become the unofficial mascot of Kirsten’s business. “We include him in photo shoots whenever possible,” she says. “We think he really loves modeling — maybe it’s just all the attention that comes with it though.”
Feline friends. Kirsten and Gett also have two cats, Fendi and Twiggy. Fendi is an 11-year-old calico and Twiggy is a 10-year-old tabby.
Kirsten clearly remembers the day these three met: “Fendi let it be known that she ruled the roost and he [Blade] was a bit scared of her for a while.” Today, Fendi and Blade are buddies, but Blade and Twiggy pretty much avoid each other.
Kirsten clearly remembers the day these three met: “Fendi let it be known that she ruled the roost and he [Blade] was a bit scared of her for a while.” Today, Fendi and Blade are buddies, but Blade and Twiggy pretty much avoid each other.
Cat space. Fendi and Twiggy have a sister-like relationship, Kirsten says. With the addition of Blade, the couple made sure the cats still had their own space.
A small cat door in the door to the laundry room lets them get to their litter box and keeps Blade from entering the space.
A small cat door in the door to the laundry room lets them get to their litter box and keeps Blade from entering the space.
Dog space. Blade doesn’t have any dedicated spaces yet, but the couple are working on an outdoor area, which would allow them to spend more time with Blade outside. “He likes to be outside so much,” Kirsten says.
They go for walks around the neighborhood and play with him in the yard whenever they can.
They go for walks around the neighborhood and play with him in the yard whenever they can.
Favorite part of the day. The end of the workday is a favorite time for the humans and pets. “They are all rambunctious and ready to eat by the time I get home from work,” Kirsten says, “and it cracks me up.”
Meal time. Blade’s food is stored in the kitchen, so when it’s dinnertime, this is where you’ll find him.
The couple also recently updated their kitchen with new backsplash tile installed by Gett and shelves made by Kirsten’s grandfather.
The couple also recently updated their kitchen with new backsplash tile installed by Gett and shelves made by Kirsten’s grandfather.
Blade is always curious about food, but his favorite treats are homemade dog cookies that Kirsten’s mom makes for him.
Home, sweet home. “It really wouldn’t be home without them,” Kirsten says. “Their sweet and silly personalities fill the atmosphere with so much life. We love them so much!”
Your turn. Do you have some great photos of your pet around the house? Share them with us in the Comments, and you could be featured on Houzz.
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