California: Best Friends

It seemed like a good idea to get a puppy--I mean, why not?  That list is long, it turns out.

Oh my goodness.  Trying to wear him out on a daily basis is wearing me out.

That is my boy in the middle--he is now five and a half months old and answering to the name (Game of Thrones) Mance.  At least when I have a treat in my hand, otherwise I am pretty much ignored.  Daily, we go to the dog park at least once and he has buds there that he loves to play with for hours.  On the right is Puff--he is about eight months old and deaf, on the left is Bailey and he is six-seven months old and in training to be a service dog--a real one, not a 'let me buy the license and I can board the plane early' one.  There is no real alpha dog in this triad--they all take turns being the rabbit and it works really kindly for all of them.

And for me because now I have dog play dates at the dog park and have met some very nice people.  Animal people, especially dog people, seem more relaxed.  And real.  Holy hell is it a time suck, though.

Because I could, I had Mancie's DNA done and was somewhat surprised by the results:

• Brindle Boxer
• Lab
• Miniature Pincher
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• And, everything else.

I was sure he had the Pit Bull in him--and actively was looking for a dog with that blood line.  I have never met a mean Pit and love the brindle coloring...turns got the got the coloring from a brindle boxer.  When I first met him, the trainer described him as an 'old soul' and he really has lived to that description.  It fits that I was really looking for a dog five to eight years old and ended up with a puppy.  I hope I out live him.

Rescuing a dog is satisfying and Living-Free.org is an amazing place to adopt from for dogs or cats or horses or chickens or.....Check them out.  Donate.  Adopt.  I will again.

2018 may have a horse as part of it.  Not sure yet, and I am checking a number of avenues.  I love living just a quick 10 minute walk from the dog park and the equestrian center in my village.  And all the hikes.

Life is good.