Our family room would be far less warm and loving if not for these two adopted family members — Maggie and Foster. They are both rescue dogs of mixed breeds, different as can be but the best of friends.
Maggie is some variety of sighthound, also called gaze hounds, which are hounds that hunt primarily by speed and sight instead of by scent and endurance as scent hounds do. They are very fast so they can keep their prey in sight. Maggie has keen vision, great speed and agility. Her movements remind me more of a deer then a dog sometimes and she’s a little hyper-active. We know nothing of her mother or father.
Foster is definitely a member of the scent hound group. We know his mother was a Basset Hound and we think his father was perhaps a Golden Lab. Scent hounds hunt by scent rather then sight and are built more for endurance then speed. They will track prey with their noses and have no need to stay within sight of it. The term “laid-back” describes Fosters attitude to life — especially since we’ve had to put him on medication for canine seizures.
They react to things totally differently. Maggie is extremely sensitive and if you say a harsh word to her she will crawl on her belly begging for forgiveness. Foster’s reaction to those same harsh words would be to hold a grudge. He will not look at you, turning his head away with an attitude seemingly out of The Godfather movie… “You are dead to me.” Luckily he can only hold this grudge until the next meal or snack. ;-)
Our backyard is fenced in and Maggie and Foster have free run. It’s a foolish rabbit who ventures inside the fence and more then once those who do paid the ultimate price. Foster sniffs out their hiding place and Maggie catches them in a few bounds — teamwork.
During the evenings Maggie and Foster spend social time with us. They are wonderful friends and companions but in a loving way also beggars and thieves.
Any series of photos of the family room has to include these two.
Enjoyable post for my first reading of the day, thanks! In my opinion you do a good job of writing, giving the reader all the information needed to know these two friends. Another nice post on your series, Earl.
Monte, I believe due to my Air Force background as a tactical report writer I tend to write in a journalist/factual rather then storyteller style — I naturally tend to give details and explanations. I appreciate that you found it enjoyable.
Great post Earl, I could fill books on my two. Nothin on earth better than living with a couple of dogs.
Thanks, Ray! There’s certainly no end to the entertainment, laughs and affection they provide. :-)
Fine pet shots of these two attractive dogs. The comment adds much and goes well with the pictures.
We ended up by design or accident getting two totally unrelated dogs with similar coloring and markings. Perhaps that’s why they seem like siblings. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Earl, itn’t it great to have friends who are always accepting and never talk back!
Steve, yes it certainly is…and it’s probably a good thing Foster can’t speak because with his attitude, sometimes it would most definitely get him into trouble. ;-)
Dogs . . . there’s nothing I can add to what you’ve said. Life would have much less joy without them.
I can’t imagine not having them! :-)