Welcome to Heritage Unleashed, dedicated to the rest of our families. They're the boys and girls with cold noses and warm hearts, the tail-waggers who create gail-force winds as they greet us at the door after hard day's work, the beggars at dinnertime staring down your top sirloin as if they're convinced just this once it will levitate from your plate and into their jowls, the cover-stealers who demand half your pillow at night so they can snore in your ear, providers of love and affection in the form of a friendly tongue-lashing across the cheek.

They're also our furry felines sitting regal-like in a wing chair presiding over their kingdom. They're 1,300 pounds of power, who can turn a steer or race the wind at a full gallop. They hop, run on wheels and through mazes, or bask in an aquarium under a heat lamp.

They're our pets. And we love them.

God put domesticated and wild animals on this earth for many purposes. Pets bring joy to our hearts and smiles to our faces. We connect with their souls. Studies have shown that the happiness they bring can add years to our lives. Some dogs are specially trained to protect our soldiers on the battlefield, provide therapeutic companionship or to walk a blind person across a busy street.

As Christians, we must be stewards of this great planet and recognize that the welfare of man and animals is our responsibility. Too many animals call shelters their home. Home is a family that can show love with a Milk Bone or a pat on the head. Home is a place where unconditional love is reciprocated with a wagging of a tail, a tongue on a cheek or a gentle purring at your side.

Proverbs 12:10 says, "A good man takes care of his animals, but wicked men are cruel to theirs." Our treatment of animals often defines how compassionate we are toward our fellow man, so let us all strive to be that `good man.'

At Heritage Unleashed, we invite you to share photos of your pets.  We welcome short descriptions, background or amusing tales of your animal family members so our Heritage Baptist family can get to know them. We hope that they'll bring a smile, laughter or tears of joy for what the Good Lord has so blessed us. Upload a picture and comments on your pet to Lea Hurt at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

_____________________________________________________________________________

Eckert Pet Family Member - Living with Brandi, Tom, Alicen, Dylan and Cole Eckert

This is our beloved 100 lb American Bulldog, Dozer.  When we first got him, he was as little as a guinea pig, and all teeth.  He's grown a little....so have the teeth.  He's been known to eat whole socks, paper towels that smelled like food and the occasional pair of underwear.   This dog is unlike any dog I've ever owned...truly part of the family.  Otherwise, we might not put up with the incessant slobber that slings in every direction each time he shakes his head, the gas that can clear several rooms at once, or the snarling, barking fit he has at delivery men.  My BGE guy will no longer check our meter (it's within the fence)...he's taught me how to do it.  Dozer also sleeps beside Alicen every night, and watches her like she's his own.  I'm pretty sure that he'd kill for one of us, but I hope we never have to put that to the test.  Our lives were much cleaner and smelled much better before Dozer, but then again, it was before Cole also.  We love him....we're not sure why all the time, but we do.

____________________________________________________________________________


Dulin Pet Family Member - Living with Janet and Bob Dulin

"Hi!  My name is Casey and I am three years old.  I came to live with Janet and Bob Dulin right after their Golden Retriver died.  I was about 8 months old when I was rescued.  My previous owners didn't have time for me.  I was neglected and kept in a cage with very little to eat or drink.  I was very dirty and stinky.  I was taken to Pet Smart in Annapolis.  They cleaned me up and groomed me. 

Bob came into Pet Smart and when Ms. Julie saw him she said, "We have the perfect little pup for you and your wife." Bob went home and brought Janet back to meet me.  They fell in love with me and I wanted to go home with them. 

I love to play and want them to play with me ALL the time (24/7 if I could).  When they hide my toys I am the best little lap dog in the world.  I love it here!"
_________________________________________________________________

Golle Pet Family Members- Living with Vince and Larianne Golle

"I'm Ernie Golle. I'm seven years old and part of a rag-tag crew at the Golle household, where anyone visiting will be greeted by me and my silver bowl. It's a welcoming gift of sorts. I was found, along with two of my brothers, as a puppy by a police officer on the side of a highway in a box and taken to Caroline County Humane Society. It wasn't long before I was rescued by my mom and dad, Larianne and Vince. While in their care, they helped me survive a terrible disease. I'm so happy to be part of a Christian home where there is compassion for animals. You can read more of my story on www.vincegolle.com ''


`My name is Stan and I was found on a sweltering day in early July 1999 trotting down the middle of Riva Rd. in Annapolis until my mom, Larianne, opened her car door and rescued me. I'm about 11 years old and have become the watchdog in the Golle household. I make sure other dogs in the neighborhood keep walking by and that no squirrels get any closer than tree out front. I even squared off against an angry raccoon one night. I love riding in the car and enjoy morning trips to the Dunkin' Donuts, where I get a morsel of donut.'



My name is Gracie and I'll be seven this summer. I'm part Lab and a great retriever. I could never hunt though because I don't like loud noises. I was rescued by my new family from the Caroline County Humane Society, just like my `brother' Ernie. I love swimming in the river and am so thankful for my new home. The best part is the free food and when I get brushed. I love being brushed because it makes me feel like a princess. I have a little `sister' Abilene and love to play.'




I'm Abilene, named after a great town in West Texas. I'll be four years old this summer and was adopted by my family from Caroline County Humane Society. I'm so thankful that I found a home, but there are a lot more wonderful pets that need good homes. I've been called headstrong. I think I'm part hound, Lab and beagle -- all good qualities if you ask me. A couple years ago, I took it upon myself to dig holes in the backyard. Mom and dad weren't too happy. I was only trying to make dad happy because I know he golfs a lot. Guess he knew that he wouldn't be able to sink a putt no matter how big the hole was.'


____________________________________________________________________________

Hurt Pet Family Members- Living with Lea, Jay, Amanda, John Michael & Adam Hurt
Jasper- Brittany Spaniel from a farm in Roanoke- hunting breed - loves to chase squirrels and birds- runs away at every opportunity, but seems to have a guardian angel who always helps us find him- Favorite sleeping place: John Michael's bean bag chair...which is now Jasper's chair! Jasper is remarkably good with our cats.





Bowser & Selene- Litter mates from the Annapolis SPCA shelter- Bowser (the boy) has a black nose and loves to sleep on Adam's pillow- Selene (the girl) has two black spots on her chin and loves it when Amanda carries her around and cuddles her. (Left: Bowser, Right: Selene)








________________________________________________________________________

Welker Pet Family Members- Living with Patricia, Ellen & Lou Welker 

Chestnut is a purebred broken ("broken" meaning "white") chestnut agouti in color. He is the oldest rabbit (almost 7 yrs. old) and the most "moody" of all three. He is attached to Patricia and her going to college really stressed him; rabbits can get depressed. Ellen solves this problem by calling Patricia at UMBC and puts a phone to Chestnut's ear so he may listen to Patricia talk to him. This seems to work to get him through the week, but it easily makes new roommates think they have a crazy person in the apartment! Chestnut has an extremely sweet temperment, as long as Patricia is home. He loves running in the back yard, kicking up his feet and making "dug-outs" under Lou's holly trees. Chestnut has a tendency to chase our cats outside of the fence and it is a great game between them both!

Bonnie Blue is a purebred broken blue in color. She is our "little girl" even though she is quite big due to having two litters. Bonnie is almost 6 yrs. old and doesn't like to be held too much, but thoroughly enjoys having her head rubbed all over! She bore two litters; there were 4 in the first litter and 6 in the second. Bonnie was an exceptionally good mother to her babies even though she was very young. She loves hopping in and out the back kitchen door to the patio outside. When the door is shut, she waits until you open it, and then leaves continuing to be outside. She just likes the security of knowing that she can always come inside.

Blu is a purebred broken blue in color. He is one of Chestnut and Bonnie's sons. He was the only male in the second litter and we thought he was originially a girl because he was sooo pretty. Blu has the best disposition out of all three rabbits. He is more calm than Chestnut and more loving than Bonnie. He is a scardy cat when it comes to being outdoors. His forte is running around in the family room. Blu likes to hide under a chair next to the fireplace and also likes to sprint across the hearth. When the fire is not going, he will sit on the hearth for hours and sometimes we have forgotten he is there! Blu loves to be held, but he especially enjoys being cuddled in your arms like a human baby (meaning he is on his back). Once in that position, he falls asleep and dreams.


Ellen and Patricia rescued their two cats, Tux and Hitch, from Animal Control in Millersville in March 2008. The two cats are brothers, but were separated in different cages facing each other in the pound. Hitch meowed, begged and pleaded for us to take him home; however, Tux was very quite, watched and observed. Patricia's bed is their favorite place to sleep because this is where she made them take their baby naps when they became over stimulated downstairs. They are both lap cats and love to be played with and cuddled. They know their feathers are hidden in the pantry and every time anyone opens the door they come running! Tux loves being outdoors mroe than Hitch, but each still run up trees, chase squirrels and attempt to sight at birds. Hitch likes to instigate all the play fights and seems to be constantly into trouble, including climbing our artificial Christmas tree this year. Recently, Tux has been acting attention deprived and has discovered that he is just the right size to curl up in any of the sink basins in the bathrooms. So he hops onto all countertops to gain our attention. Even though Tux likes the sink, both are deathly afraid of the water gun and know when they see to tuck their their tails and run because they are in trouble.
(Photo top left: Tux ; bottom left: Hitch)