BY LIZ LYONS WITH PHOTOGRAPHY FROM JASON CANTRELL, CADENCE CAPTURES AND BEN FINCH, FINCH PHOTO
When we decided to feature some of our favorite homes we’ve visited over the years, we struggled with which homes to pick. We’ve been invited into so many lovely (and all very different) places over the past six years. We couldn’t choose, so we decided to bring in the experts, those who know our homes possibly better than we do, the pets of Knoxville. Let’s be honest, they run the house.
COOPER
Allan and Janey Willoughby’s Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, likes to take credit for helping them find their home. It was while taking Cooper for a walk that Allan and Janey found their dream home. They met with a realtor and put in an offer the very next day. Cooper loves the high ceilings in the home, but especially enjoys the fireplace between the “critter room” and the dining room. We agree with Cooper. Curling up next to the fireplace sounds like the perfect way to spend a day.
TEDDY
Teddy absolutely loves living with Scott and Annette Brun in their updated home that sits on four acres minutes from Kingston Pike in Farragut. It used to be a dairy farm. The home, built in 1951, was the first home constructed in the neighborhood. The biggest addition was the porch which dominates the front of the house. Teddy’s favorite place is the porch and enjoys spending fall days on the sofa enjoying views of the bird houses and bird baths.
MAYSIE
Maysie, a four-year-old Havanese dog, lives in Lakemoor Hills with John and Linda Haynes, and feels especially lucky to have such a wonderful front and back yard to play in. She doesn’t like being left inside, and will always keep an eyeful watch over anyone who gets to enjoy her yard without her. From the waterfall that John discovered while digging up the old driveway to the beautiful views of the lake, we can’t agree enough that it would be the perfect place to lounge in the summer.
LEXIE
Lexie lives on the water with Tom and Evelyn Shaw. She loves how full of life her home always is. The Shaw home is always filled with music and laughter. The former is often in the form of Tom playing the pair’s red piano in the living room where Lexie enjoys being by Evelyn’s side or keeping cool on the hardwood floors. If she’s not lounging on the living room floor, Lexie can be found in her other favorite place, keeping watch over Olivia, Sammi and Tyler, the Shaw’s grandchildren.