• How did you two spend your fall? We've spent much our time rediscovering our neighborhood by going on long hikes in nearby Forest Park. In the process, we've had to recalibrate our definition of a "long hike" based on how long it takes Aesop to plop down and demand to be carried - let's just say I never thought I'd be the kind of person who carries their dog in what very much resembles a baby carrier, but here we are.

• What is Aesop's most impressive talent? His ability to quickly learn and recognize his favorite words when we spell them out instead of saying them. We've had to retire T-R-E-A-T and just start using other code words.

• Is there anything else you'd like to share with us and the TDC community? This is something that will surely resonate with all of you, but I honestly can't imagine what this difficult year would have been like without Aesop as our one source of constant joy. As everything else about our "normal lives" was falling apart around us, he was there, excited for the opportunity to be with us 24/7, and reminding us to notice and enjoy the small stuff: a nice long walk in the neighborhood, some indoor cardio of chase, fetch, zoomies (sorry, neighbors), and many cozy hours of cuddling on the couch and binging true crime documentaries.

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• How did KayCee Mae come into your life? KayCee came into our lives in August 2016. We adopted her from Muddy Paws Rescue, and immediately fell in love with her when we met her at her foster's house. KayCee came to NYC from Muscle Shoals, Alabama and was a quick study to city life!

• How did you two spend your fall? We're spending the fall taking long walks, car rides around the NYC suburbs, and are currently working our way through a Dog Advent Calendar for Christmas full of dog treats!

• What is KayCee Mae's most impressive talent? Howling with a passing firetruck, snuggling at all times, and giving the goofiest "down" of all time where she SLAMS into the floor out of anticipation of the treat.

• What is your favorite thing about participating in canine science? KayCee's favorite thing is the yummy snacks. My favorite thing is learning more about how KayCee processes the world, and giving back to science at my alma mater, Hunter College!

• Is there anything else you'd like to share with us and the TDC community? We can't wait to participate in future in-dog studies once it is safe. We miss our friends at TDC :)

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• How did Artemis come into your life? I adopted Artemis shortly after getting laid off from my job in 2016. I needed a reason to get out of bed, and I figured, a dog would take me on walks. Artemis is a mutt from Miami, and she was the only puppy at the adoption event who didn't bark or try to get attention, as puppies do. When they took her out to meet me, she started shaking uncontrollably, so much so that she couldn't even stand up because her legs were so wobbly. I knew at that very moment that we would learn to be brave together.

• What is Artemis's most impressive talent? She's a brilliant traveler! She's been to London, Stockholm, Paris, New Orleans, Toronto, San Francisco, and more. People are always complimenting her on the plane and asking me how my dog is so well-trained. I always say that unlike me, she doesn't cry or need to go to the bathroom on long-haul flights!

• What is your favorite thing about participating in canine science? It's a great way to learn more about Artemis and deepen the relationship between Artemis and me! She is a complex being, like you and me, and every day is full of discovery and growth with her.

• Is there anything else you'd like to share with us and the TDC community? Artemis is the chief canine officer of Argos & Artemis, the global community for good dogs and good humans with good taste. (She takes all the naps, and I take all the meetings.) We interview tastemaker dog parents, curate the best pet care products and services from around the world, and write a popular weekly newsletter with over 10k+ readers. We'd love to see you there!

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• How did Frankie come into your life? She snuggled into my arms and I melted

• How did you two spend your fall? Long walks around NYC, visiting local dog parks, stops at The Strand and Union Square Farmers Market .

• What is Frankie's most impressive talent? She welcomes everyone into our home by bringing them one of her toys .

• What is your favorite thing about participating in canine science? Frankie has so much fun when she visits.

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• How did Darla come into your life? Found a great breeder, Andi Pugs

• How did you two spend your fall? Outside as much as possible !

• What is Darla's most impressive talent? A swimming and kayaking pug!!

• What is your favorite thing about participating in canine science? Helping advance canine science

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• How did Maury come into your life? A few years back my friends needed help with their puppy and being that I only lived a block away, had a flexible schedule and a massive love of dogs, I was all too thrilled to oblige. Later they moved to Brooklyn and had a kid, but we had become so attached that we decided to do a dog share where we’d each take turns with Maury a week or two at a time. Then baby number two arrived and they needed to move to Westchester for more space, but being afraid of ticks and knowing how bored he’d be in the burbs, they asked if I wanted to be his primary owner. It was a no brainer, and that is how I became the proud dog mom to a handsome cockapoo named Maury Ballstein. Actually I have a photo of the first day Maury and I spent together. I was supposed to get him the following Wednesday but I was too eager and got him a week early when he had booked a modeling gig for OshKosh B'gosh. When my friend's friend went to pick him up to take him she was panicked because he wasn't there. She called me and I had to run him over quickly but we got a great professional photo I have framed in my living room now. Here's baby Maury doing his best blue steel:

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• How did Moose come into your life? Moose was born in Connecticut, I first met him before his eyes were even open, and immediately fell in love.

• How did you two spend your summer? We spent our summer hiking with his canine friends and swimming as much as possible. Moose mastered how to get into a swimming pool and retrieve a toy, we were both very proud.

• What is Moose's most impressive talent? Moose’s most impressive talent, it’s hard to pick one! He’s always ready for an adventure and has a habit of making people smile wherever he goes.

• What is your favorite thing about participating in canine science? My favorite things about participating in canine science are seeing a new side of my dog through the challenges and tasks that are presented to him, and helping/learning more about dogs and their cognition.

• Is there anything else you'd like to share with us and the TDC community? Moose can’t wait to come back! And he has a brother who would love to join

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• How did Robot come into your life? Robot is a rescue from Social Tees. At the adoption event where I met her (her name was Helen then!), she was playing with a huge pit bull and just seemed sweet and fun. And it turns out she *is* sweet and fun! Honestly, the fact I ended up with Robot feels like proof that the universe loves me!

• How did you two spend your summer? We spent the summer training! We've been working on loose leash walking and getting Robot to relax around nail cutting and teeth brushing. She doesn't eat dinner from her bowl anymore... every evening I hand feed her while we train or she solves a work-to-eat puzzle.

• What is Robot's most impressive talent? I want to say that her most impressive talent is that when someone says "bonjour," Robot sits down and waves hello very adorably. But that's just a trick I taught her. Her true most impressive talent is stalking squirrels. She's a natural pro. Robot has a very friendly disposition, so I think she wants to play with them and not attack them!

• What is your favorite thing about participating in canine science? Robot has what strikes me as pretty complicated psychology, and canine science has helped me understand how she learns and what her different reactions mean. We like participating in studies because it feels we're giving back to help the people doing that work. Robot's favorite thing about participating in canine science is treats and attention!

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• How did Cece come into your life? Seven years of campaigning for a pup finally paid off!!! At age 10, we felt my stepdaughter was ready for more responsibility and also needed some confidence building. We met Cece at a local breeder’s, and she was the first of her siblings to approach us. She chose us, and she and Sam have been inseparable ever since.

• How did you two spend your summer? At the beach! Cece loves digging for clam shells

• What is Cece's most impressive talent? She’s got an awesome “over” mastered. Also she steals underwear but that’s more a liability than a talent.

• What is your favorite thing about participating in canine science? How much it stimulates Cece’s mind and how much she enjoys the challenges. We love knowing that something she loves so much is helping the canine community for years to come!

• Is there anything else you'd like to share with us and the TDC community? Cece is also a therapy dog and completely obsessed with kids. She’s been featured on the news and in the local papers 4 times!

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• How did Telly come into your life? I was "just browsing" on Petfinder, but the second I saw Telly's picture, I knew we were meant to be together. She had the most thoughtful expression on her face, and cute little white toenails! I was smitten. Within a few minutes I was on the phone with her foster mom and within a week I was taking a ferry to New Jersey to pick her up!

• How did you two spend your summer? We moved! My Midwest roots called, and we relocated to Ohio. Telly has a big backyard now and plays ball 3-4 times a day. Considering some kind of agility course for her. She's so smart! She has adorable cousins here; dogs Lola and Gracie, and cat cousin Pierre.

• What is Telly's most impressive talent? She has so many! She has an adorable "sit up", she is a puzzle whiz, she is an amazing ball retriever! Actually her most impressive talent is her ability to destroy any toy within 2 minutes! We keep a drawer full to entertain her.

• What is your favorite thing about participating in canine science? I only began to learn about canine science in the past decade. I think if I had known it was a field of study, I would have been at Hunter much sooner! Dogs are the absolute greatest thing in the world. Anything we can do to learn about them and how to enrich their lives is meaningful to me. More selfishly I love watching Telly figure things out, and seeing everyone marvel at her brilliance.

• Is there anything else you'd like to share with us and the TDC community? I think we covered it! Thanks for all you do! Telly says Hi!!

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• How did Quarter come into your life? Quarter was a puppy that a friend had and he could no longer keep her, his building and lifestyle would not accommodate dogs and after watching her for a couple weeks at my place, and with 2 unsuccessful attempts to fly her down to Miami to his parents he was ready to surrender her to a shelter and I was ready to adopt her forever.

• How did you two spend your summer? We spent a good portion of the Summer at Astro’s Dog Run...the small garden and semi-private (you need a key from the community board) dog run where I painted and fixed a bunch of the outdoor furniture, raked leaves and remove trash and Quarter loves to sunbathe days and hunt rats nights.

• What is Quarter's most impressive talent? She is a pretty good hunter, she’s caught a pigeon, a rat and destroyed ever drone that I have gotten her...catching them in mid-air. She is also pretty good at hide-and-go-seek...we play that in my place...and when I am not falling out of wherever I am hiding with laughter, she finds me right away.

• What is your favorite thing about participating in canine science? I like seeing Quarter engage in the experiments and how happy she is seeing people and getting treats. I also like knowing she’s a smart dog.

• Is there anything else you'd like to share with us and the TDC community? Just a thank you for the engagement and how happy you make Quarter when we see you guys.

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