Aaron and Dana Clark got their dog Gansett three years ago in Florida where Aaron was stationed in the Coast Guard at Port Canaveral. They named her after another place he was stationed, Naragansett, Rhode Island.

Gansett is a Treeing Walker Coonhound, a breed the couple didn't know much about. When they came to the Humane Society shelter the pick her out she was the only one not barking. This breed normally bays and barks a lot, but not Gansett. That was a big factor in deciding to take her home plus, "he was going out to sea for two months and I needed a friend," said Dana.

Here only since August, the Clarks have come to really enjoy walking Gansett on Alki Beach. Gansett is about 7 or 8 years old.

Just as she was quiet in the shelter, Gansett is different in that, "She doesn't bark," said Dana. "That's just her behavior," said Aaron. Otherwise at home, "She's a baby and she likes to cuddle," said Aaron.

Gansett has formed some close canine relationships in her brief time here. "Shout out to Shorty and Lexi," said the Clarks. "and Rufus," they added.

Rufus is a German Shepherd, Lexi is a Chihuahua mix and Shorty is a Chinese Crested mix the couple speculated. Whenever they go out they put the dogs together for a play date.

Eukanuba dry food is Gansett's main diet and while she will get jumbo bone from time to time, she's "not a dog for treats."

Her favorite toy is Seamus O'Toole, "her little leprechaun that my sister bought for her when we were in Florida," said Dana. Aaron is little unsure about that toy however since, "I've never seen her actually move it but it will appear different places around the house."

She has other toys too. "Once at our other house I was downstairs and I left and all her toys were downstairs on her bed. When I got back every single toy was moved upstairs and they are all like people or animal figures and I was like, 'having a party!"

Gansett is not a big noisemaker to be sure but she does express herself, often about the couple being in bed too long. "She rests her head on bed and whines for probably hours until we get up. It's really annoying," said Dana. "It's not that she needs to go out. She just doesn't like us in bed," said Aaron.

Aaron summed up Gansett as, "One word: happy."

Dana said, "She's different. She's like quiet but really impacts you. Everybody that comes across her loves her."