A Tale of Two x Two Dogs ...

Our house is a home of pets ... we currently have two dogs, three cats, two rats and a guinea pig ... over the last decade or more we have had four dogs, three cats, three guinea pigs, two rats and a rabbit ... very few of the pets were "purchased" many just happened our way and were welcomed into the family.

Our first dog MIndy, whom we lost in 2004 came into our lives in 1992 and lived in Kingston, Bella Coola, Langley and Minnedosa. Along the way she travelled and visited more of the country than some people ... in 1993, she invited our second dog Angus to stop in for a visit ... he never left ... He was a reserve stray who decided life with us was better than life on the streets ... so long as we fed him he was happy ...

The late summer of 2004 was a tough time for us - Mindy's health crashed and we had to put her down, then days later Angus was diagnosed with a cancer in the throat and within weeks he too was put down ... Fortunately, in between we welcomed into our lives two new canines who will never replace Mindy and Angus, but who have won our hearts and become part of the family too ...

Journey (the small dog at the top) is a hyperactive bolt of canine lightning. She quivers with excitement ALL the time. She loves to dance on her hind legs with the girls. And she is the consummate escape artist - many is the day that I've come up the hill in front of our house only to see her sitting out on the road in front of the house. She sees me coming (assuming that I didn't notice her) then bolts back into the backyard by leaping the fence in a single bound, where she assumes a "sleeping" posture. When I come into view she does an elaborate stretch as though she is saying - "oh, I didn't hear you coming, I was sleeping ..." Liar !!! Though if there was an Oscar for canines - she'd be in the running ...

Journey is a little dog of BIG action - literally.

Callie, the collie is the Queen. She came to us from a rescue shelter in Brandon called Funds for Furry Friends, and was timid and fearful when she arrived. She was terrified of men (Me), and had come issues with bladder control ... In the two years she's been with us she has blossomed into a beautiful dog. She is friendly, affectionate and lovable. When she came, I couldn't go near her - now she rubs her muzzle against my cheek and "cuddles" by pushing her head into my shoulder ... She is a wonderful dog ...

The photos were taken tonight in our living room ... just because ...
The dogs were luxuriating on the couch (Callie more so than Journey), and they looked so comfortable, I couldn't resist the photo op ... Callie earns the title Queen in these pictures - don't you agree??

All of our dogs - Mindy, Angus, Journey and Callie are testament to what love and affection can do ... Love is a transformative element in this life - if you can watch a scared timid dog blossom into a beautiful outgoing creature, think how much more a person can experience with a little love ...