Jasper is a rambunctious
eleven month old Yellow Lab, all legs and mouth and soft brown eyes. His owners claim that he goes from 0 to 60 in about 2 minutes, and just as quickly, collapses into a pile of sleeping puppy after a round of chasing his older “sister” Hallie.
Jasper is the Spare Dog. Hallie at age six is showing no signs of slowing down but her owners had other reasons for getting Jasper. You see, Hallie was once the Spare Dog, back when HER “big brother” Zorro was still alive.
Jasper’s owners always have two dogs at a time, one older and one younger. They believe there are many advantages to this arrangement:
1. The dogs are each other’s company while their human companions are away at work.
2. The older dog teaches the younger dog “the ropes.”
3. The younger dog keeps the older dog physically active and mentally challenged.
4. When the older dog passes away, the Spare Dog helps heal broken hearts.
Obviously, the Spare Dog is just as much a member of the family as the older dog. And he or she is just as much work, worry, and expense, too. But of course, there is twice the love, comfort, and companionship by having Dogs 1 and 2.
Lately, I’ve been seeing more clients with a Spare Dog. I’d love to hear about your “extra” dog, and if you would ever go back to being a one-dog family again now that you’ve shared your life with two (or more).
Comentarios