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