Willow arrived yesterday. She is a Guide Dog for the Blind puppy-in-training. We'll raise her for the next 6 months or so, until she is ready to return to the campus at San Rafael for her formal guide dog training.
Drexel is happy to have another friend. After an initial playtime, Drexel and Willow settled down and snoozed. Willow took the coveted spot on my feet, but Drexel didn't attempt a coup. He looks a bit dejected in this photo, though:
I'm sure all will be forgiven when the dogs wake up and have another play session.
Do you have more than one animal? How do they get along?
Thanks for dogs, and the Guide Dogs for the Blind organization.
We have two cats, simply because my sister (who knows lots about cats) told me that cats do better with a companion. Tim is black and about two weeks older than Calico who is grey tiger striped with splotches of orange, hence her name. They get along great, cuddle together when it's cold, groom each other, play with and faux fight each other. They used to be indoor/outdoor cats until we moved and I put my foot down, no more cats in the house. We installed a pet door to the back screened porch, put the old loveseat out there and that's where they hang out, when they're not out stalking prey, climbing trees or roaming the neighborhood. In the winter we put up storm panels and wrap the porch in heavy plastic to keep out the wind and cold. Last winter we let the cats into the laundry room only when it was below zero. They did fine and I'm glad not to have to find cat hairs in the kitchen. Your two dogs are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt is impossible to completely eliminate fur, no matter how often I brush the dogs or vacuum. My daughter has solved the problem, though, by having a Sphynx cat--they are hairless! (No hairballs is an added bonus!)
DeleteWillow and Drexel are beautiful dogs.
ReplyDeleteGuide Dogs for the Blind certainly does a good job with their breeding program.
DeleteDrexel is a real gentleman, leaving your feet to Willow this time.... I guess he will claim that special spot for himself soon enough. I hope you and the family enjoy Willow's company.
ReplyDeleteYou already know we have four cats and they all stay indoors (I couldn't bring myself to put them outside like Rozy did, although I could live without all the hair too...) We have 2 sets of brothers and most of the time they'll get along just fine, although they don't groom eachother. Sometimes Dirk and Arie have a bit of discussion, mostly about who can lay on my left side in the bed.. For some reason that's the most coveted place at night.
Give you 'labs' a cuddle for me.
In our area, most cats stay inside also--in large part due to coyotes. (In fact, last night I heard the coyotes howling during the lunar eclipse!)
DeleteI guess your cats just want to be close to your heart! :-)
Those two are going to have fun together!
ReplyDeleteOur two dogs get along beautifully. Roy is in charge, since he was here first and Hershey is a wimp. She has never, not one time, stood her ground and fought with him.
they are so cute together - and yes they will be buddies soon :)
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful together! They had 2 guide dogs at Amara's school earlier this week -- one of them looked very much like Willow. Their handler often takes them to the library for some of the little ones to read to.
ReplyDeleteWe currently have 2 cats, they are sisters and they are about 9 years old. One belongs on my lap and one belongs on Grampy's lap! The kids on the other hand have 3 dogs and 5 cats. All of the dogs have been shelter dogs and sadly about a year ago one of the dogs they tried to adopt did NOT get along with the others. He attacked the smallest dog and so they had to make the decision to return him. They quickly got another and Lazlo loves his new home and playmates. Their oldest cat thinks he is in charge of everyone! He is the Boss!
Oh, poor Drexel is getting his world rocked a little. It's one thing to have Willow visit; it's entirely another for her to stay. He's such a fun boy, though, I think he'll have a great time with his temporary sister. Dogs seem to take to things like that so very much better than cats!
ReplyDeleteAwww... so cute. they'll work it out!!! I have 3 dogs, a golden 5 , black lab 11 and a boston terrier 10. The Boston and the Golden are best buddies while the lab pretty much sleeps all day.. they all get along .. but he could care less. I've been searching for dog #4 ~ a baby girl Boston that I would like to get before spring. Our Boston is such a cool dog, she'll do anything and she loves to kayak and paddle board with me.. I'm hoping that if we get a puppy soon, that she'll teach it to be as cool as she is! : ) My fear is that she'll hate it.
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