Frank has always been a big fan of jazz music, so we chose from some of our favorite musicians when naming our pets.

Mr. Parker joined our family back in 2005 when we lived in Park City.  I was itching to have a pet, and went to the Friends of Animals shelter in search of a little kitten.  It was mid winter, and there were no kittens at the shelter.  The volunteer did tell me there was one kitten staying at a foster home, scheduled to be neutered in the morning.  Sight unseen I committed to adopting “Sake” as they called him.  Well, the sneaky kitty managed to find a hidden bag of cat food and plowed through it when he was supposed to be fasting before surgery.  So, his surgery was postponed, and I finally got to pick him up a few days later, which happened to be Frank’s birthday.

Charlie’s first day at home, 2005

 It was love at first sight! Sake was so full of personality and would jump around our house, darting from furniture to floor and all over the place.  His “dance” reminded us of the fast fluid sax solos of Charlie Parker.  He was named!

 A few years later we found ourselves back home in North Carolina.  Some friends had gotten the most adorable puppy, a little yellow Lab named Sophie.  I fell in love, and came home to tell Frank, “We need to talk.”  That got his attention, and I told him about Sophie and her as yet unclaimed siblings.  We made a trip to see the other pups.  Talk about cuteness overload!  Half a dozen lab puppies were rolling around, playing and licking each other.  The mom was a yellow Lab, and the dad a chocolate Lab.  There were yellow, chocolate and black Labs among the litter.  It was tough to choose one.  The family told us that the smallest pup, Mila – short for Milagro, was the last born.  They had thought the Mom had birthed all of the pups, but she surprisingly delivered a last small runt, who they thought wouldn’t make it.  She pulled through, and they named her for the miracle she was.   We chose Mila.   Our home wasn’t set up for a puppy, so we left her there and went to Pet Smart to grab a kennel, puppy food, toys, treats, and bowls. 

When we returned, we could see the flurry of puppies playing through the big window.  One pup was sitting patiently and still by the door, and as we approached I realized it was Mila.  She was waiting for us!

Billie’s first day at home, 2009

She has turned out to be such a blessing in our lives.  What a gift it is to be so unconditionally loved.  After debating the merits of many fabulous female jazz musicians for a name, we settled on one of our favorites, Billie Holiday.