@ myislandheelers

About 22,000 followers NAMES : Atlas , Blue and Callie BREED : Australian cattle dogs FUN FACT : The youngest cattle dog , Atlas , who is deaf , was a foster fail through the Australian Cattle Dog Rescue Association . The “ pawrents ” communicate with him through hand signals , and his big sister Callie gets his attention when outdoors .

@ ulyssesthesissypitty

About 23,000 followers NAME : Ulysses BREED : American pit bull terrier FUN FACT : Ulysses was raised by cats ! His best friend is his cat-bro named Earnest , and he ’ s picked up on his cattitude , kneading and perching on furniture . In addition , he knows an impressive collection of more than forty tricks .

@ oatleythesheepadoodle

About 27,000 followers NAME : Oatley BREED : Sheepdog / poodle mix FUN FACT : Upon meeting a new person , Oatley will walk through their legs , sometimes lifting shorter people off the ground ! He also knows how to pray by putting his paws on his mom ’ s arm and bowing his head .

PHOTOGRAPHY ( THIS PAGE ) COURTESY OF RESPECTIVE INSTAGRAM PROFILES ; BENNIE AND MAPLE COURTESY OF KIEL JAMES PATRICK @ KJP .

@ black . cat . mafia

About 10,000 followers NAMES : Raina , Ridley , Wynn and Sweeney Todd BREED : Domestic shorthairs FUN FACT : All the kitties are rescue pets , adopted across three states at different times . Their owners run the Wicked Whisker , which offers handcrafted bow ties , bandanas and cat toys . The felines also share a house with two more cats ( they ’ re camera shy ) and have canine interns : @ mafia . mutts .

@ bennyirvingthecorgi

About 3,000 followers NAME : Benny Irving BREED : Cardigan Welsh corgi FUN FACT : When Benny was born , he was called Panda Boy for his unique face pigmentation . Benny is a certified therapy dog who is starting to work with reluctant readers in Rhode Island public schools .

@ bennieandmaple

About 209,000 followers NAMES : Bennie and Maple BREED : Golden retrievers FUN FACT : On the drive home from picking him up , the Patrick family ’ s new puppy started howling when the song “ Bennie and the Jets ” started playing on the radio , and the name stuck . Maple ’ s mom is Bennie ’ s sister and they are inseparable . Their hoomans also have a decent Instagram following (@ kjp ).

68 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l MARCH 2023