Dream A Little Dream Of Me

It is with the greatest of sadness that I post what I am about to post. Mortimer has left us, far too soon, and I can barely comprehend it, as it all happened so very fast. I'm famous for not handling my losses with my pets very well, and I always write them a letter, always.. and here is my letter to my wonderful Mortimer.

Dearest Morty,

I'm full of sadness..I keep looking for you, calling Boris your name, and wondering how is it I'm able to sit so close to my desk all of a sudden. My mind knows you are gone, but yet it refuses to believe it, as does my body, because I am sitting here away from my desk, as I did when you would lay under it. How did this happen so fast? My mind is not processing this.. I cannot get it out of my head that I must have missed some signs, how did I do that when I was with you so much? I am in utter disbelief that this is actually happening, or has happened. I still look for you, still reach to pet you where you normally would set by me. I keep expecting to feel you come lay your big jowls on my arm for a petting, or for you to slap me a good one when you felt you were not getting enough attention...and I'd give anything to feel that right now.

You came to us by a wonderful chance. I remember the drive to get you, I remember seeing you and thinking how skinny you were, and yes.. homely looking. I could see your ribs, and yet you set your eyes upon me and decided I was yours. You even tried to crawl over our seat on the ride home to be with me, digging your claws in my neck, until I was forced to lay the seat back so you could rest your head by mine. How did you know I would need you so much? Did you sense that I'd love you as much as I do? I wonder these things now.

I remember this scared puppy, dragging me over the trashcans when a loud noise came, and how you trembled when it was time to go out again. How skittish, how shy, how hungry you were. How unsure where you belonged, and yet clinging to me with hope in your eyes and love in your heart.

As the weeks passed, I saw you flourish, and how did I ever think you, this awesomely beautiful animal, were ever homely? I saw you go from a dog that growled over your food to a guy sitting patiently for treats while I gave some to your brother. From not rolling over at all to let anyone pet your belly, to laying next to me on your back so I could rub it. I saw you go from serious at all times, to doing some of the goofiest things I've ever seen. Indeed, you changed.. you opened up like a flower that has finally gotten their rays of sunshine.

I had you just shy of a year, but in that year I gave you lifetimes of love, and you gave it back to me twofold. I have been loved, even owned by dogs before..but none so all consuming such as yours. The way you'd look at me, with your golden eyes, with the adoration, knowing I'd never hurt you, and that I loved you, the trust I saw in them, and the hope..I just cannot believe that I will never get to see those looking at me again. My heart has broken into a million, shattered pieces.

I hope you sleep sweetly, I hope you are running and being carefree, with a wild abandoned, where loud noises don't bother you anymore, and you have no reason to be afraid of anything ever again. I hope that you know that I adore you still, and always will, that I'll never forget you, ever. I hope when you dream, you dream a little dream of me, because you will be in mine..always, forever.. you own a piece of my heart sweet MoMo.

Always, and forever, loving you,

Mom

Mortimer McGuire
11/13/2009 - 7/10/2011

Some Quirks That I Love

One of the most darling things about my boys is their little quirks in their personalities. Some are so endearing, and others are just plain FUNNY. I love watching them, and I love it when they start doing new little things that only an owner really notices.

Some of favorites from Boris are:
1. He's supremely nosy! Seriously, I've met some pugs that I always thought I'd never see a nosier dog, but wow, Boris has them beat! He loves to look out our windows, we're on the third floor, and he enjoys the view. He has a particular window he likes the most, which is in the living room. He'll jump on my couch, put his feet on the back and get up as high as he can to peer out. He pulls my curtains down often, and there's always muzzle prints on the glass. While I wish he wouldn't pull my curtains down, I cannot help but think this is an adorable trait in him. There are two other windows he'll peer out of, and he still hasn't forgiven me for moving my childrens bed away from their window, I can tell by the dirty looks I get!

2. He sleeps with his head on a pillow every chance he gets, and ALSO he prefers to sleep on his back, if he's on the couch or my bed. It never ceases to crack me up to see him all splayed out on his back enjoying a snooze!

3. He likes to follow me into the bathroom, and get in the bathtub and lay...it doesn't matter if I am putting on my make up, doing my hair or anything besides taking a shower..he is in that tub!

4. If he is the second to go outside to go potty or for a walk, he will cry and cry at the door..it's actually quite heartbreaking and I cannot help but baby him when this happens! He really acts as if he's seriously hurt about it, like he cannot understand why he wasn't chosen first!

Those are just a few ... he's such a dear, dear boy!

Now, for my lovely Morty:

1. He's stingy. Seriously, I should have named him "Mine" for more than one reason. They have a huge tub of stuffies and toys that are theirs, and they play them, but even if they are half asleep, if I walk by and just nonchalantly pick one up, he will get up and steal it back from me, shake it..and throw it on the floor, only to go back to resting. I took one to my bed the other day, just to see, and he followed me back there, jumped on the bed and even though I tried to lay on part of the toy, he got it from me..shook it, threw it on the floor and walked out! STINGY!

2. He follows me everywhere... EVERYWHERE. He's like a big mother hen who follows me about to check on what I'm doing, making sure I'm not stealing his toys, I imagine...and he loves to follow me into the kitchen.

3. He sleeps with me almost every night, unless Boris can sneak in there first, BUT on his "terms" he's so bossy.. if I am not far enough over for his tastes, he will lay his big ol melon on the side of the bed and STARE at me until I move over, then, no matter how much room he has, he will insist on sleeping right up against me. Not that I mind, in honesty, it doesn't bother me in the slightest, I find it endearing... but sad because when hubby comes home he'll have to learn to share the bed!

4. If I go out on my balcony and he didn't follow right away, he'll press his face up against the window on the door and slap at the door until I open it..if I'm not responding fast enough, I might get a bark. He is a good boy though and will open the door for his brother if his brother wants out!

They are so silly, so utterly funny and amazing, they fill my life with so much laughter and love! I'm so grateful to have them, they bring so much into my life!

One more quirk that I haven't mentioned... they really don't care for the vacuum, at all! I have one rug in my home, ONE, and they think, naturally, that it's theirs.. I am not allowed to move it without them stepping right in the middle of it, much less them wanting me to vacuum it. Morty REALLY dislikes that vacuum!

Boris on the OUTSIDE of the window on the ledge...nosy

I'll admit, I had a treat, and was making them pose.. I get slobber for my efforts!

Look how abused he looks! Isn't that sad?

What doing out there mom?? Can I comes outs too?

Morty and the vacuum video
The one rug in my home, that I HATE to vacuum, is also the place they take EVERYTHING to eat or play with *sigh*.

A smaller, older, brother

Boris and Mortimer have a smaller big brother, Bubba. They have yet to meet him, because he's in the states, with a wonderful woman, until I come home. Though it broke my heart to leave him, it was the right choice, as his weight, age and health were a huge concern when it came to flying here, and especially when we fly back.

I miss Bubba. Every single day. He's a very special little boy, with the most awesome personality. I have no doubt that he'll have Boris and Mortimer towing the line when they meet and get used to one another.

Recently, my Bubba had to have his eye removed, and it killed me that I could not be there. I felt so hopeless, but I know he was taken care of, and well spoiled rotten. I get regular updates, but I yearn for the day when I can kiss his sweet face.

Yes, Bubba is special. Mortimer, the momma's boy, is going to have to get used to having his "big" brother around when the time comes, and I often wonder just how he'll react. Boris, will naturally want to play with crabby Bubba, and Bubba will let him know that is NOT going to happen often. Mortimer is going to be a bit jealous at first, because, you see... Bubba is my boy. My lap is where he lives! I imagine there will be no more Morty under the desk, because that has always been Bub's spot.

Now, to "meet" their older brother:

A photo from the wonderful, awesome, coolest person ever that is watching my Bubba and loving him for me!

My Two Big Puppies

Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.
- Milan Kundera

I love this quote, but it's a bit of a lie.  They don't know jealousy?  Seriously?  Apparently Milan only had one dog at a time, because mine get very jealous of one another.  If I spend time with one, inevitably the other will come over and push his big head into the mix to get his attention.  If I give ONE a treat, I better be ready to give the other a treat as well.  They are like little children in how they try to trick one another into moving out of a spot next to me so they can be by me. I love it, to be honest, it's one of the reasons I love dogs so much, their love and loyalty for their human is incomparable.  The way their love shines brightly in their eyes for their master and family is one of the truest things you can ever see. 

The don't know discontent?  Apparently you've never seen mine when they want something, because they will let you know.  Mine let you know when they are unhappy with something, oh yes indeed, if I were to move the couch that Boris gets up on to look out the window every day, he'd LET ME KNOW he was unhappy with it.  I know, I've went through it before, and I ended up moving the couch back by the window, because he loves to look out and watch the birds, and the people.

They might not know evil, but I do think they have the ability to sense bad things, and people with bad intentions... well maybe not Boris, he is so goofy, he loves everyone, he thinks everyone loves him.  Mortimer on the other hand thinks every man that comes near him might harm him in some way, he's very shy towards them for quite awhile, and will even bark if one walks in the house, never making a move to go near them, but letting me know that a strange person is in my house.

My boys, though litter mates and brothers, are total opposites in their little personalities, and I love them both for different reasons.  Boris, daddy's boy totally and huge huge puppy, a goofball, a bit bossy and sweet, who sits and lets me take oodles of photos of him, while preening for the camera, confident in knowing everyone loves him.  Mortimer, a bit shy, skittish of loud noises, serious, a huge momma's boy, a bit reserved, and he hates the camera, and wants to be sure of peoples intentions before giving in to let them touch him, and I feel so sorry for him sometimes.  I give them both love and attention, but sometimes I wish I could get Mortimer to be a bit more carefree, though I doubt it will ever happen, and that's okay too, because he's super sweet and loving.

I'm a horrible blogger.. I never know what I'm going to type before I start and I never quite figure out how to finish a post.. .so let me just finish with some photos of the boys :)  Hopefully I'll get better at this as I go!

We are NOT getting a big dog.

"We are NOT getting a big dog."  That was what I said, and I meant it.  I was convinced I did not want, nor ever would want a big dog.  Oh sure, I love all dogs, but that doesn't mean I want to own them, thank you very much.  I, have always been a true blue pug fanatic.  Without a doubt, pugs were the only breed for me, I just knew it.  I have pug purses, pug quilts, a pug ring, canisters, mugs, shirts, stuffed pugs, statues, books, magnets, a tattoo, you get the idea, this is not a passing phase!  No, no, pugs are indeed my only breed I could ever love, I was sure of it.

We were at a standoff, my husband and I.  He wasn't giving in on this, and he was pushing hard.  I would not give in either.  It just wasn't going to happen, we weren't going to give into each other, and I still was unsure we should even get another dog, since I have my awesome pug boy, Bubba, back in the states and we're in Germany.  I just didn't think it would be fair to him.

Okay, okay so I caved.. I did.  It was the kids, you see.  Especially my youngest, with his big blue eyes and his sad face, and his ability to make me feel more guilty than I have ever felt in my life.  He would stop and pet every single dog he saw, and ask if they could stay the night.  He spoke endlessly of Bubba, and how he missed him, and if we could just let some dogs stay the night, he'd be happy.   If that's not enough to make you feel guilty I don't know what is.  

Fast forward a bit, research, finding and emailing breeders.. and aha!  We located the so very awesome Estruphus Kennels, who have two puppies for us to choose from!  They answered all our questions and agreed to let us have a pup.  So off we go that next week, to see these pups.

I don't know what I was thinking, I knew they were big dogs, but, to me a puppy is this tiny little thing that just fits right in your hand, at least that's always been my experience.  These were some BIG PUPPIES, and of course, they were four months old, but WOW!  I remember thinking how huge they were!  I look back on that and laugh!  

I have to admit, I fell immediate in love my breeders girl, Brenda.  OH!  Seriously, I just don't know how anyone couldn't meet this girl and not adore her, she is the sweetest thing! My first thoughts of here were "Wow she's HUGE!" and "Oh she's beautiful and sooo sweet!"  She made my heart melt, that's for sure!

Well, we drove away with Boris that day, and I have to say, it was an awesome day, and I'm so glad that we have him!  We were lucky enough to have a chance to get Morty, Boris littermate and brother, a few months later.  Morty and Boris are as different as night and day.  Where Boris is just a goofy dude, who is sure that everyone wants to see him, and pet him, Morty shies away from men, and is skittish and serious acting.  Boris is a big boy, and no matter how much I feed Morty, he never seems to gain weight.  Boris adores my husband, and Mortimer adores me.  

Owing a big dog has taught me many things, one of which is.. I'm not just a pug lover anymore.  Anyone that meets our two massive mastiffs usually loves them, besides the few that just aren't dog people.. boy they sure don't know what they are missing!

This is Mortimer

                                                                       This is Boris