Here's our new pup: Duster (Tanbark's Leave 'Em in the Dust). He came home last week and is settling in nicely. He's going to be my new agility partner, and I can't wait to start training!
Thank you. It was taken as Ruby completed the last obstacle to win her division of the national steeplechase (speedstakes) championship in New Brunswick in 2014, six months before her death.
He may look cute, but he's like a whirling dervish on steroids! Our cat finds him anything but cute: he insists on treating her like a toy, but she doesn't perceive herself as a toy. She's been patient so far and we've been teaching him to leave her alone. Hopefully he calms down a bit before her patience runs out.
For such an active and curious pup, he settles nicely in my office during working hours, and has also been calm in the evenings if he gets enough exercise during the day. There's a lot of freezing rain today, however, so no walk or outdoor playtime. We'll see how things go down this evening ...!
Thank you! Yes, he's exactly what I hoped for. Bold, food-driven and wants to please his human. I'm thrilled with him. He won't be an easy teenager, but he'll be a fun companion and working partner.
I initially thought I wanted another female, but after talking to the breeder of my last dog, and to a couple of other friends who know me well, I came around to the idea of a male instead. Their advice has proved to be spot on: it has, I think, been easier to "move on" with a boy dog instead of another girl. Fewer points of comparison, fewer unrealistic expectations, more room to develop another outstanding bond without feeling guilty for replacing my "best girl".
Our poodle is not a happy camper right now, but I'm confident he'll come around. He loves other dogs generally, and will learn to enjoy having another canine companion once he's got over the fact of no longer being an "only dog"!
He looks huge on the pics, but he only weighs 9 lbs at 8 weeks. His parents aren't big dogs and his breeder thought he'd be on the smaller end of the normal range.
I don't know how I missed this when you first posted, but I have been waiting for this post ever since I knew you were ready to look for a new pup! Duster has some really big paws to fill! I can't wait to watch him grow with you!
Thank you. Getting here has been a long, tough road. But it's nice to have my own dog again. As for filling the big paws ... I don't think any dog ever could. But Duster will make his own set of pawprints in my life, alongside Ruby's.
... And here he is, playing with his brother (at last). It may be minus 15 C outside, but there has been a considerable thaw in brotherly relations today!
Duster is too cute! I want to cuddle his face lol!! That's great that he's getting along with his brother! He couldn't resist his cuteness for too long!
HOW did I miss this?? I am so happy to see you have your new boy! He will not replace Ruby in your heart. Your heart will just make some extra room for him.
PS Where do you take your pics? Are they in a studio?
Yes, I have a small home studio set up in our living room, and that's where I take the photos. I have the white background up for now, but will change it soon!
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