OkcPets Magazine March 2023

12 OKC Pets • March / April 2023 PETS AND THEIR PEOPLE DOG DAD Animals Always Make Life Better by Kaycee Chance S teven Walker, of Walker Creative, Inc., is someone who wears many hats — designer, drummer, illustrator, creative collaborator, and more. But it’s easy to see that he enjoys one role quite a bit — dog dad. Walker and his wife, Jill, now own one Beagle, June, but Walker’s love of animals goes back to his first pet. Growing up in a military family meant he spent a lot of time traveling, a lifestyle not conducive to pet ownership. It wasn’t until college that Walker acquired his first pet, a Siamese cat named Tomi, known for her playful antics such as climbing the bamboo wallpaper in his parents’ home. Years later, another feline companion came into Walker’s life when his twin brother, Stanley, rescued a kitten at a stop- light corner. The kitten, Bob, was in terrible condition, so he brought it to their studio, Walker Recording Studio, to bring back to health. Although the vet discovered that Bob was a girl, it was decided that her name should remain, and Bob became a well- known figure around the studio. She was loved by the patrons there and lived happily for 22 years at the studio and at home with Stanley. Beagle Bit Although Walker’s first pets were cats, he has owned several dogs since marrying Jill, whom he credits for her wisdom and emotional connection to their many pets over the years. “My wife is the person our pets are at- tached to at the hip. She has insight on their emotions that sometimes I miss because I’m gone during the day,” Walker explains. “I’ve learned quite a bit from Jill, especially in the early days. I never had had a dog before, but she had many growing up. I rely on her and appreciate her love of Beagles and of all animals.” The couple’s first Beagle, Kishi, whom they got in 1981, started a lifetime love of the breed, even though they acquired her sight unseen. “Kishi turned out to be such a kind soul that from that point on, we were Bea- gle bit,” Walker says. Kishi passed away 10 years later, shortly after the Walkers’ daughter was born, and it wasn’t until years later that the family was ready for another pup. When their children, Bailey and Joe, were older, the Walkers decided it was time StevenWalker credits June with providing artistic inspiration, love, and companionship. Photo by Linda Earley.