The Dogs In My Life
I don’t often post about myself outside of the writing itself. I just don’t think anyone would care, so I usually won’t bother. But I’ve realized this outlook is exactly why I am bad at blogging. My blog, in effect, just winds up being a ‘news-about-my-writing’ journal. Which is okay, I guess, but a bit impersonal.
I’m going to try to change that going forward and this is the beginning of that.
Let me me introduce you to the dogs in my life. Everyone likes dogs, right?
First of all, even though I only own one dog (Fenrir!), I live with three. This post is about all three of those for the most part, with perhaps a smattering of historic and peripheral dogs thrown in 🙂
I realized while writing this that I don’t have a pic of all three of the dogs together, so instead, for a group shot, you get two shots. Fenrir is in both, and each is of him with one of his housemates:
This is Fenrir and Hexagon.
They get along alright but Hex wants to play-fight more than Fenrir does, so when they’re off-leash playing outside, he often will just sit down and defend himself from her attempts at play. Sometimes though, they roughhouse together with gusto.
And here are Fenrir and Sweet Pea.
Don’t let Sweet Pea’s small size fool you, she’s the boss in this relationship (and this house). She does have to be vigilant at all times though because the two big dogs aren’t mindful enough of where they put their feet; if she didn’t keep an eye out she’d get stepped on a lot.
Fenrir My Dog
Pictured here as a puppy the day I got him, Fenrir is my baby.
He’s not always the best boy, but he’s always my good boy. I got him from a litter born in a nearby town. Although he looks a lot like a chocolate lab he is actually a mix that has a minority of that breed. His actual mother was a mastiff (neapolitan) and his father half lab and half bouvier.
From what little I saw of his home environment before I got him, it was a crowded place where he did not feel safe and it seems to have imprinted on him: he’s a very nervous boy who is rather reactive to strangers (people, dogs, cats, and probably ghosts). I’ve tried and tried to get him more used to others but with only limited success. He was a puppy when the covid-19 pandemic drove us all into isolation and I fear he missed out on some much needed socializing as a consequence.
He’s now six and a healthy boy. Although he’s mostly black, he has white at his muzzle that’s gotten more pronounced as he has grown up and some golden brindling on his legs that combine to make him look more fancy and distinguished. He has far too much skin, especially neck skin and his jowls puddle under him when he lays his head down. It’s a shame he isn’t friendly to strangers because he is such a good, cuddly, and soft boy for those he knows. He has the softest ears too!
Sweet Pea Partner's Dog
This little miniature dachshund is a stubborn little queen who will not be denied anything. Friendly and tiny, she is the queen of side-eye. She’s got a fluffy little tail that acts as a little butt-flag showing how happy she is all the time as she waves it around.
Despite always seeking treats she is also rather picky as to which offerings are worth her attention. No to plain bread, or plain anything, really, but yes to chicken and bacon! She is also rather fond of dried out earthworms she finds on the sidewalk, even though we deny these to her whenever possible.
She is so small she needs little steps to get on the couch and into the people-bed, and she will whine and bark if these are blocked or out-of-place. She is not one to hide her displeasure at anything.
Hexagon Roomate's Dog
This silly cuddle bug is Hexagon, a purebred red doberman pinscher. She loves her mum A LOT and demands cuddles from her at all times and, when she is not available, you will be called upon to provide pets. It’s alright because she will reward you with little groans as she gets pet that are a lot like purring.
She barks too much and wants to chase squirrels at all possible opportunities but we love her anyway.
Hexagon is a bedhog but at least she is cute when she demands to be let in under the blankets so she can be cuddled.
Since you made it this far, here are a few extras for the road:
