The joy of dogs

About two and a half years we had to put down our dog of 12+ years.  She couldn't move much and was gaining weight.  Her mind was still good, but her body was failing.

It was one of the saddest things and hardest things I've ever done.

Then I had a new family and my wife, Ariane, had a dog, Guinness, that she had had for 13 years or so.  He too was getting older and a few weeks ago we had to put him down as well.  He was 15.  It was very hard.

The following quote was sent to me by a friend who has had many dogs over her life on the death of our first dog, Ginger.  

“The misery of keeping a dog is his dying so soon. But, to be sure, if he lived for fifty years and then died, what would become of me?” – Sir Walter Scott

Last Spring we began to think about getting another dog because we knew that Guinness would not live too much longer  We were able to find a local family that had two adult Miniature Schnauzers (Ariane loves the breed.) and on Father's Day Weekend picked up our two new puppies.

They were so small!

They have grown, and are a delight and joy and a comfort in hard times.

 

Dougal (Dougal Frederick MacGyver Schnauzer Pegler) is a love dog.  He loves to love and to be loved.  His biggest problem is whether to choose a walk, food, or love.  Walks usually win.  Piglet loves to eat, but she too is becoming more affectionate.  She is huge for her size (20 pounds) and last night we wanted to see if she would work for a Thanksgiving meal main dish.  So that's why she's in the roasting pan!!

They are a great joy and loads of fun for us and for the girls.  Puppies and young children were made for each other!