During the summer of 2009, it was love at first sight for Kim Spearman when she saw a pair of Bichon Frises on the cover of a pet magazine. Kim was mesmerized by the big, beautiful eyes and plush coat of the canines and wanted a Bichon of her own so badly that she cut the picture out of the magazine and placed it in her den. Every day, Kim would pass the photo and talk to it, and pretend she was the proud owner of a Bichon.

As Kim spent the next few months talking about her love of Bichons to anyone who would listen, she had no idea she would soon be blessed with one of her dearest companions. On Kim’s birthday, her boyfriend surprised her with the dog she had been dreaming of since the day she saw the picture on the cover of the magazine.

“My boyfriend had contacted a breeder weeks after my fantasy dog episodes and purchased Mr. Bojangles Bobo for me,” Kim said. “Mr. Bojangles Bobo is one of the greatest and most loving gifts I’ve ever received.”

When asked to come up with a name for her dog, Kim thought of Sammy Davis Jr. singing and dancing to the song “Mr. Bojangles” and chose the name Mr. Bojangles Bobo in honor of him.

“He has a first and last name, like us humans,” Kim said. “My family members tease me all the time. They say I treat him as though he’s human.”

Kim didn’t waste much time before she insured the puppy of her dreams.

“I was referred to VPI by Mr. Bojangles Bobo’s vet,” said Kim. “I went to the VPI website, read over the plans and decided that VPI was the pet insurer for us.”

Nearly three years after receiving her memorable birthday present, Mr. Bojangles Bobo is in great health and Kim makes sure her Bichon is well taken care of.

“I have major medical coverage for Mr. Bojangles Bobo,” said Kim. “I am very satisfied with VPI’s service and I have recommended the company to other pet owners as well.”

Kim Spearman
VPI Policyholder Since 2009

After months of watching a newborn kitten spend its first winter under a neighbor’s tool shed that he cohabitated with a skunk, Joseph and Donna Malone of Brookpark, Ohio, noticed that the young stray cat started making his way down to their driveway for daily meals and shelter in their dog house. Like clockwork, the cat would arrive each morning at the foot of the Malone driveway and wait for his morning breakfast, until one morning he mysteriously didn’t arrive.

After scouring the neighborhood for the missing cat, the Malones discovered him in a lofty tree across the street meowing loudly because he didn’t know how to get back down. After much coaxing, the kitten finally made it down from the tree and immediately strolled up the Malone driveway for breakfast.

Following that incident and another involving eating a baked potato out of a neighbor’s garbage, the Malones concluded that Black Sabbath was not safe outdoors and would be better off living inside of their home. “Black Sabbath has been a wonderful addition to our family,” said Donna. “He keeps us all very entertained.”

Although the Malones have a friend with a cat that goes by the extremely popular feline moniker, Max, Joseph and Donna opted for a more unique name for their stray cat. Joe decided to name the kitten Black Sabbath, after the legendary English rock band led by Ozzy Osbourne.

Ten years ago, the Malones had two Siamese kittens that both died of cancer. After spending over $7,000 on veterinary bills, the Malones made the decision to purchase pet insurance on all future pets.

“We have been extremely lucky with Black Sabbath and only had to use our pet insurance to help cover the costs of his dental work,” said Donna. “But VPI has still saved us a lot of money on dental bills over the past five years.”

Donna Malone
VPI Policyholder Since 2003