In Loving Memory of Lady Frances De Salles

2009 – 2024

“Simply the best.”

Lady Frances De Salles—known variously as Frances, Poot, Pooter Pupperoni, and Slink—entered the world in Colorado and quickly began a journey that would span landscapes, lives, and hearts. She was a small dog with a basset-hound build and the self-possession of royalty, even when her eyes wandered in opposite directions. Her gait was a trot of quiet confidence, and her presence was unmistakable.

Frances came into her human’s life by what some might call a mistake, though anyone who knew her would recognize it as fate. In June of 2009, an adoption at the Poudre Puppy Rescue in Fort Collins took an unexpected turn when a clerical mix-up led to the adoption of a completely different dog—the one being doted on by the adopter’s little sisters. That dog was Frances. Best mistake ever.

Sassy, distant, and delightfully unique, Frances defied easy description. She was a herding dog trapped in a basset hound’s body and delighted in rounding up her toys with dutiful precision. When given a rawhide, she would slip into an almost meditative trance—eyes half-closed, blissful, detached from the world in perfect contentment.

Her life was full of movement and exploration. Frances called Colorado, Missouri, Arizona, and North Dakota home, and she left pawprints in Nevada, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Texas, Utah, Kansas, Illinois, and Indiana. She was a seasoned traveler, a companion for all terrains, and a quiet observer of life’s many chapters.

But her truest destination was always love. She bonded deeply with her best friend, Franklin—a partner in mischief and companionship—and gave her heart easily and instantly to her “ancillary human,” Abigail, who quickly became her person. Despite the best efforts of her original adopter, Frances made her allegiances known: Abigail was hers.

Frances was many things: a traveler, a character, a queen with crossed eyes and a herding instinct. But above all, she was a teacher. She showed her human how to be better—for pets, for others, for the world. She was the stillness in the chaos, the sass in the silence, and the soul that shaped a home.

She is missed every day.

Lady Frances De Salles was not just a good dog. She was a singular spirit. Her story lives on in the hearts of those who knew her and in every toy that lies just slightly out of place—herding itself, perhaps, in her honor.

In Loving Memory of Mr. Darcy Manly Man

a.k.a. “Darce”

“You were never really alone, friend.”

Mr. Darcy Manly Man—known affectionately as “Darce”—wasn’t just a cat. He was a personality. A presence. A statement. With the energy of a drag queen, a deep investment in personal (and mutual) grooming, and a flair for drama, Darcy strutted through life on his own terms. Loud, image-focused, and utterly unforgettable, he arrived precisely when he was needed most.

Darcy was adopted from a local rescue at a time when his human felt alone in a new and unfamiliar place. That changed the moment he entered their life. What began as a simple adoption quickly blossomed into a deep and essential friendship—one built on trust, companionship, and a shared sense of presence.

Darcy didn’t just show up—he lingered. He was the kind of cat who made sure you knew you weren’t alone, whether by perching nearby, following quietly, or licking your arm hair with such enthusiasm that it became his signature (and slightly uncomfortable) form of affection. Grooming wasn’t just something Darcy did for himself—it was an act of love, extended generously to those he considered part of his circle.

While he didn’t extend that same generosity to other cats—whom he dominated with casual disdain—Darce was endlessly devoted to his people. Abby was his favorite by far (and he made that perfectly clear), but he tolerated Curtis with a kind of indulgent grace. In short, Darcy knew where the love was and planted himself firmly in the middle of it.

One of the most legendary memories of Darcy involved his brief and dramatic introduction to the outdoors. The crunchy, dirty chaos of nature was not for him. After a single unwelcome step on a leaf, Darcy took it upon himself to avoid every offending piece of flora with an elegance that bordered on choreography. A diva in the forest, a gentleman on the rug.

Darcy played many roles: best friend, therapist, shadow, and steadfast companion. He taught his humans that sometimes love shows up not with words or gestures, but simply in being present. He proved, time and again, that a cat could listen more patiently than most humans, and offer comfort simply by existing in the same room.

Mr. Darcy Manly Man wasn’t a pet. He was a force of nature wrapped in velvet paws and confident silence. He left behind a home that’s quieter without him—but filled with the lasting comfort of having once known his kind of love.

You were never really alone, friend. And because of Darcy, you never will be.

Blog Post Title Three

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Blog Post Title Four

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.