Polina Yamshchikov
Muscular Todd Wells has always loved pit bulls — totally ripped Knuckles is one of two he keeps at home. “I think they’re beautiful,” he says. “They’re strong and loyal and just awesome dogs.”
May 7, 2009 | 12:00 a.m. CST

Sarah Dunne’s wispy hairdo is a perfect match for the shaggy-maned Winston. Sarah found her dog by chance. “He was on the side of the road,” she says. “I was with my mom, and we just had to stop.”

Muscular Todd Wells has always loved pit bulls — totally ripped Knuckles is one of two he keeps at home. “I think they’re beautiful,” he says. “They’re strong and loyal and just awesome dogs.”

Candice Tietz and Winnie share similar slender faces and long lashes. Candice adopted Winnie from a breeder a little more than a year ago. “They wanted to retire her and give her a life of leisure,” Tietz says.

Six-year-old Luke Huhman’s tan skin and dark eyes are mirrored in Polly the Puggle, whom the Huhman family adopted from the Central Missouri Humane Society just a few months ago.