My Boys

I love my boys--my papillon-pomeranian boys.  The boys are twins--actually, they are the entire litter.  We have had them 3 years--since they were 3 months old.  They have grown up around people.  Believe it or not, they are tax deductions as they are for the care and comfort of our residents.  They bring great laughter with their antics at times.  They also drive us crazy other times.  We continue to threaten to trade them for goldfish, but so far haven't followed through on that.  The truth is that they would rather be with their dad than me.  However, when dad is gone they want me in sight.  The y love to sit on the back of the sofa so they can watch for intruders visitors.  Always helpful, they let us know if anyone arrives or walks by or is within miles of the place... 

Han Solo (Han) may be the smaller of the two, but he is the pack leader.  His brother will not approach the food or a toy until Han is finished or gives a sign.  At half the size, he is the one in charge!  Han is incredibly cuddly.  He would be perfectly happy if he were held 24/7.  Lap, arms, it doesn't matter.  Han has a liver disease and is on a low protein diet.  He is fine and should live a long life, but the disease has some neurological side effects.  He may be completely comfortable relaxing and suddnely jump up.  It is actually quite funny at times.  He will move his head around staring like he is watching a fly buzz about.  Only there is not fly.  Poor guy gets laughed at sometimes.  He is a scardey cat about a lot of things, but he will be the first to get comfortable with new people in the house.  He has spent hours relaxing at the feet of residents either in bed or in recliners.

Indiana Jones (Indy) is a completely different personality.  He is more shy around people, but far more active than his brother.  He is the one who wants to play.  He is my running partner.  He loves to get out there and encourage me to go faster and farther.  His longest run has been 14 miles.  Last week he ran 7 with me then went on an hour long walk later in the afternoon.  When he wants to cuddle, it needs to be on his terms.  He loves sitting half on the arm of a chair and the other half on a lap.  However, he will be the first to instigate wrestling with me or his brother to get a laugh. After a bath, he runs circles in the house rubbing his face on the carpet to dry. It takes him longer to warm up to people and will often back away if reached toward.  However, when you are his friend, he will do anything for you.  A couple of years ago, we had a resident who porfessed he "didn't like dogs" yet Indy was always able to get up on his lap and nap along with him.  Months later, the man was dying.  His family was unable to be with him.  Indy slept on his bed up close to him.  True friendship to the end.



The favorite place in the house unless they are being held or on dad's lap.





Indy is my awesome running partner. 




Han is the cuddly one.





Trying to get Indy to pose with me...




Not exactly the pose I had in mind...