Our Non-human Companions

Charlie got a haircut yesterday. He’s 13 1/2 now and he’s slowed down a lot but damn he’s still a handsome fella 

Looking good. We have a Goldendoodle that's 3/4 poodle. It's our first dog that pretty much requires 4-6 week grooming. Our boxer mix just needs a simple bath and brush every once in a while. The Dood is high maintenance.

Charlie got a haircut yesterday. He’s 13 1/2 now and he’s slowed down a lot but damn he’s still a handsome fella 

Looking good.  We have a Goldendoodle that's 3/4 poodle.  It's our first dog that pretty much requires 4-6 week grooming.  Our boxer mix just needs a simple bath and brush every once in a while.  The Dood is high maintenance.

Yeah but they're worth it.  We get Charlie groomed every 3 months so he does look a little like Chewbacca when its getting close to haircut time.  They know what they look like and like to strut when they're well groomed.  If you leave it too long you wind up with matting issues and usually the only cure is a shave.  They DO NOT like to be shaved. Its like when you got that awful haircut in grade 7 - well, I guess I can't leave the house for two weeks.  We used to have two and let me tell you, the grooming costs aren't insignificant.  If you've got the time and the skill to learn to groom them yourself you will save a lot of money, however, its been my experience that when someone tells you they groom their own poodle, its often the same as when someone tells you they cut their own hair.  You already knew before they said a word.

This is Siba, a Standard Poodle that won Best of Show at the Westminster Kennel Club show last year.  I sent this picture to a friend of mine who's also a dog lover and he replied that he thought he'd dated her in the 80s  Thats one high maintenance girl!

This was our other buddy who has been in puppy heaven for a few years now.  He was a great dog.  Billy Blazes (named by our then 8 year old son) but went by Billy or Bill.  Sometimes Sweet William if feeling particularly affectionate.

With the heaviest of hearts, we said goodbye to our dear, sweet friend Jill yesterday.  She came to us in 2013, with her brother Jack.  Jill is on the right.




She brought us more joy than we could have imagined, fighting a long fight with cancer since 2019, and wagging her tail until almost the very end.  




The last few days made it clear that it was time to let her sleep - not the sleep of exhaustion, but the sleep of peace.  




Jill came to us in 2013.  She turned 14 and 1/2 a week ago.    I'd wager most, if not all of you understand the sentiment that no one could have asked for a better dog.

some of ours: Malinois Military dog, top dog of the demo Army team, supposed to be strictly  housed in my kennel according to regulations but has never seen the inside of it, always lived inside. Very fierce dog at work but gentle when of duty, expensive  one also, canine teeth where replaced by titanium ones.

Also abessynian, Burmese  and toyger cat.

With the heaviest of hearts, we said goodbye to our dear, sweet friend Jill yesterday.  She came to us in 2013, with her brother Jack.  Jill is on the right.




She brought us more joy than we could have imagined, fighting a long fight with cancer since 2019, and wagging her tail until almost the very end.  




The last few days made it clear that it was time to let her sleep - not the sleep of exhaustion, but the sleep of peace.  




Jill came to us in 2013.  She turned 14 and 1/2 a week ago.    I'd wager most, if not all of you understand the sentiment that no one could have asked for a better dog.

Shedding some tears for you Mike.............

Doesn't anyone have cats?  You know, those self cleaning, poop burying, lords and ladies of the household, the ones who let you know that you are their pet and not the other way around?

Here's one of our two kitties... one of these pics may or may not be photoshopped, depending on the day and the mood.

She's a Demon Rex... err, I mean Devon Rex.

With the heaviest of hearts, we said goodbye to our dear, sweet friend Jill yesterday.  She came to us in 2013, with her brother Jack.  Jill is on the right.




She brought us more joy than we could have imagined, fighting a long fight with cancer since 2019, and wagging her tail until almost the very end.  




The last few days made it clear that it was time to let her sleep - not the sleep of exhaustion, but the sleep of peace.  




Jill came to us in 2013.  She turned 14 and 1/2 a week ago.    I'd wager most, if not all of you understand the sentiment that no one could have asked for a better dog.

Sorry for your loss Mike...she does look like she's been very happy the past eight years though

With the heaviest of hearts, we said goodbye to our dear, sweet friend Jill yesterday.  She came to us in 2013, with her brother Jack.  Jill is on the right.




She brought us more joy than we could have imagined, fighting a long fight with cancer since 2019, and wagging her tail until almost the very end.  




The last few days made it clear that it was time to let her sleep - not the sleep of exhaustion, but the sleep of peace.  




Jill came to us in 2013.  She turned 14 and 1/2 a week ago.    I'd wager most, if not all of you understand the sentiment that no one could have asked for a better dog.

So, so sorry for your loss, Mike.  Prayers to you and your family...