We returned to Rolling Hills in April 2023, a special place that has been part of both my family and my husband’s family for many years. Between us, we’ve lived in six homes behind the gates, and since getting married, we’ve called two more places here our home. Growing up, I always appreciated the rural charm of the area, with its stately, majestic trees and peaceful atmosphere. I’ve ridden every horse trail, and one of the greatest joys has been reconnecting with high school friends who are now our neighbors. The residents of Rolling Hills are a truly unique and special group of people, and most importantly, we value the safety and security that this community offers.

Our son, Mike, rescued Bear from the Lancaster Animal Shelter when he was just a puppy. Now, 14 years later, Bear is the best dog we've ever had. A mix of Rottweiler, Boxer, and a bit of miniature dachshund, Bear weighs in at a solid 100 pounds. His favorite things? Sunbathing outside and gnawing on a bone. Our other dog, Honey, was rescued from the Carson Animal Shelter after spending 4.5 months in a tiny cage. My daughter, Brittany, initially signed up to foster her during the pandemic, but we quickly fell in love with her. Now five years old, Honey is a beautiful brindle-colored mix, primarily of Doberman heritage.

Rescuing animals has always been part of our family’s story, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Bear has been with us for 14 wonderful years, and Honey joined our family five years ago. As a family, we are committed to continuing to rescue animals in the future. My husband’s family has always had a deep love for animals, too. When they moved to 1 Middleridge Lane South in 1978, his mom adopted a wide variety of animals, including horses, dogs, cats, geese, chickens, a tortoise, and even a skunk—so it’s no surprise that our family has always shared this love for all creatures.

When my son was young, he grew particularly fond of my mother-in-law’s dog, Oso—whose name means “bear” in Spanish. This inspired him to name our dog Bear, a tribute to Oso’s wonderful nature.

Bear is known for his charming way of barking if he feels he’s not getting enough attention. Honey, on the other hand, is incredibly loyal and has brought new energy into Bear’s life. Since joining the family, she’s made him feel like a puppy again. Together, they love to play and keep each other entertained.

Both Bear and Honey have an impressive skill—catching treats in mid-air, no matter the distance!

They absolutely love marrow bones from Bristol Farms and are always up for a game of tug-of-war with their rope.

Some of my fondest memories with Bear are of him sitting at the front of our boat, ears blowing in the wind, watching the water skier behind us with great focus and concern. With Honey, my favorite memories are when she leaps from the paddleboard to the canoe in the middle of the lake. Though it’s not exactly a “favorite” memory, I’ll never forget the time Honey was zooming around the snow and crashed straight into me. I went flying into the air, landing on a can of bear spray and breaking a rib in the process—unforgettable, to say the least!

Honey enjoys long hikes on the horse trails and has made friends with nearly every neighborhood dog. Bear, on the other hand, loves meeting new dogs during his outings. They both particularly enjoy hanging out with Tucker and Harlow, who live just up the street.

Each day, I take the dogs to a different park around the hill, and they love the variety—different smells, new scenery, and meeting new people. Their favorite parks are De Portola Park and Hesse Park.

The dogs absolutely love riding around town in our Ranger, and their perfect day would include a trip to the lake to swim after sticks. Any car ride is the highlight of their day, with their heads happily hanging out the windows, taking in the sights and smells.