After 25 years of calling Forest Heights home, Kallie and Brian Thomas have built their perfect quiet neighborhood life around rescued dogs, great neighbors, and peaceful walks. Their latest chapter features two remarkable four-legged residents who prove that sometimes the best families are formed through second chances.

June, an almost three-year-old golden retriever, and Doug Fir, a one-year-old pit bull mix, arrived through the same unlikely path—both were discovered as strays in grocery store parking lots. June was found at the Clatskanie Safeway, while Doug turned up at the Clackamas Costco. After spending time at their respective county shelters with no adopters, both dogs were transferred to Stumptown Strays, a medical rescue operating out of NW Neighborhood Veterinary Clinic on NW Thurman.

Their furever family found them through connections in the rescue community. As an 11-year volunteer at Oregon Humane Society, Kallie has friends who also volunteer with Stumptown Strays. Social media posts featuring each dog caught their attention, and fellow volunteers encouraged them to apply. "That's how we all found each other," they explain.

The family has a tradition of giving their pets human names, including Nigel, Jane, Lola, Nancy, and Wes. June, whose full name is actually Junie, answers to June Bug, JunieB, and Buggy. Doug Fir, named after Oregon's state tree, goes by Doug, Dougie, and Doug Bug. Collectively, they're known as "the Bugs."

Both dogs overcame difficult beginnings. June was only eleven months old when found, having recently given birth to puppies who weren't with her—making her the family's "teen mom." Doug's story is even more harrowing. He was discovered starved and emaciated, covered in fleas with a distended belly and virtually no muscle tone. His condition was so severe that veterinarians weren't certain he would survive. Ironically, his joyful personality around people led to "happy tail" syndrome, where his enthusiastic wagging damaged his tail so severely that most of it required amputation. Today, his 4-5 inch stump wags with infectious happiness.

June's signature move involves spinning in circles whenever she spots a leash, while Doug has earned the title of the family's snuggliest dog ever, always wanting to drape himself across someone. Both are enthusiastic toy destroyers, leaving behind a toybox of 30-40 empty fabric shells that serve as their preferred playthings.

The dogs love their quiet neighborhood life, enjoying wrestling matches in the yard and sniffy walks around the area. For longer adventures, the family frequents Forest Park, particularly the peaceful sections along Leif Erickson off Germantown Road and the Wildwood trails accessed from NW 53rd.

Kallie shared her heartfelt personal experience with pet adoption, "Really, it's just about being able to give a good, loving, stable home to dogs that have been discarded by others. Both had essentially been thrown away, and with love, care, healthy food, proper medical care, and a sense of belonging, they've become such an important part of our family."