One Step Closer

I didn’t want our resident loaner puppies to grow up with that whole twin stigma of people assuming they are the same, so I decided to give them names.  I named my favorite, “Lucy” and Alison named her favorite, “Bella”.  Now that I’m making a concerted effort to tell them apart, the differences in their personalities are quite striking.

Although she engages in some crazy-puppy behavior occasionally, Lucy enjoys a quiet visit with her humans over a wrestle with dogs.  She often sneaks through the slats in the fence to watch us swim in the pool, or lay her little chin over my foot.  A quick learner who aims to please, she has mastered several commands and automatically sits when she wants a treat or a pat.

On the other side of the spectrum, Bella enjoys the occasional belly rub from a human, but would rather hang with the dogs.  She has made it her goal in life to win Cage’s affection.  Yes, Cage.  The old bachelor dog who thinks young pups should be seen (from a distance, of course) and not heard.  Bella is ceaseless in her effort to coax him into playing with her.


“Hmmhmmhmm… don’t mind me.  Just chewing on this stick.”


“Maybe he won’t notice if I sneak a little closer.”


“C’mon, dude!  Don’t GO!  Just play with me… please?”


“How ’bout if I give you a kiss?”



She almost hit her mark, that time.  And look.  He didn’t run away!