True Dogs Adds A Family Member

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We werent looking to adopt another dog. We
already had two. But. In a dual error of planning
neither were Labs. Weve had Labs in our lives
for twenty-six years until a year and a half
ago when Janie, our black English Lab died at
age fourteen. We branched out, curious to
explore other breeds. Queso, a shepherd mix is
whip smart and a bit stubborn. Sugarplum is a
mix, breeds unknown, from the Pine Ridge
Reservation in South Dakota. Shes full of
energy, always interested in playing. Its been
fun and interesting to see what other breeds
are like and, while I do dearly love our other
dogs, its become clear to me that I am, first
and foremost, a Lab girl.
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My husband first met Buddy (formerly known as
Chase) at an event at Orvis in Denver and
started texting me photos of him, telling me
what a sweet boy he was. It didnt take much to
get me hooked especially since I had just told
Adam I still missed Janie EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. A
Lab brings certain things that no other dog Ive
ever had does 1. They are what I call
participatory dogs. They want to be a part of
everything you do. You take the trash out, they
take the trash out. You go into the bathroom,
they go into the bathroom. (This proves to be
quite a feat in our smallest bathroom where we
both barely fit. Getting us both arranged inside
in a fashion to actually allow shutting the door
is like a game of sardines.) You cook. They hang
in the kitchen while you cook. You take a nap.
They take a nap. And, yes, ON the bed with you.
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Some people might find this annoying but I find
it infinitely sweet and comforting. I love this
but-I-want-to-be-with-you aspect of these dogs
though I do sometimes feel guilty about
disturbing the dog every time I get up to get a
tissue or re-heat my tea. I try to assure the dog
Ill be right back but he follows me the 15 feet
to the kitchen anyway. 2. They snuggle on demand.
A Lab is available to flop over onto the floor
and stay there as long as you are willing to keep
your hand moving on them. My other dogs will get
up and walk away after a certain, not-very- long
amount of snuggling but not my Lab. Hell stay
there all day if Im willing to pet him. Read
more www.sodapup.com
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1. The Love Faint. This is what we have dubbed the
   giant flop you get if you sit on the floor and
   invite a Lab over to you. He might sit upright
   for a minute or two but eventually over he goes
   in one big lump.
2. Semi-smartness. Im not going to say Labs are
   dumb because theyre not. Id say theyre medium
   smart which is a relief in the face of two other
   dogs who are super smart. Super smart means
   learning quickly but super smart also means
   being able to out think me and, frankly, that
   gets tiresome. My other dogs know what theyre
   supposed to do and are smart enough to decide
   whether they want to or not. My Lab is smart
   enough to learn what I want though it often
   takes practice. But he doesnt spend time
   figuring out how he can NOT do what I want. Its
   his medium smart and almost desperate desire to
   please that makes him so easy. His approach tends
   to be, Oh! You want me to do what? Huh? Hmmmm.
   Oh, okay, I think I get it. Once more please.
   Oh! I get it!

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