I’ve been meaning to write about my dogs for awhile now because, if you follow me on Instagram (which you totally should because I am not at all boring), you know that I take my fair share of dog pictures. Usually of my dogs. Maybe a random other one now and then. But usually my guys.
Why?
Because I’m that lady.
Sure, I have a kid and all but my dogs were my first children and they deserve love and attention, too (plus, I’m 98.3% positive no one will steal my dogs’ pictures and use them for any sort of nefarious reason. Also, I wrote that sentence just to use the word “nefarious”). And they’re adorable!
See:
Okay, so maybe you can’t see their faces but look at the way they’re posed together! How sweet is that? And I assure you, there was no fighting less than 10 minutes after that picture was taken.
Because my dogs? Never fight. At all. Ever. Not even when one invades the other’s space. They’re perfectly fine with it, especially in the middle of the night when I’m sleeping, and they never wake me up to referee.
Nope. It’s always the picture of domestic bliss when it comes to my dogs. There’s no food aggression, no jealousy for attention, no
In all seriousness, though, my guys do get along as well as brothers can get along. Which, incidentally, they are not. Well, they’re brothers because we are their parents but they are not from the same litter. Or parents. Hell, they’re not even the same breed. Barkley is a pure Bichon Frise while Dobie is a Bichon/Poodle mix, which means that Barkley is smaller and Dobie has apricot coloring in his fur instead of all white. Barkley is also older, closing in on 11, while Dobie had his 9th birthday this past January. Which we of course celebrated with special dog treats and new toys.
I told you. I’m that lady.
Now that you know the basics, let’s get to know them a bit more. We’ll start with Dobie since he’s the second child and always goes second. 
Dobie is our resident cuddler. He loves nothing more than shoving his body next to you and squishing you into a corner so he can stretch out while still being on you at the same time. He loves to give kisses and if you come to our house with flip flops, you’ve been warned because he has a foot fetish. And while he’s not the brightest dog around, he’s the more obedient one, is a great listener (especially when there’s food in it for him), and is our resident fetch expert. No joke, now that he’s mastered fetch, he will play until he can’t run anymore. He’s also an expert nap taker, extremely friendly towards other dogs, and loves car rides. For Dobie, the longer the car trip, the better. And besides getting joy from car rides, cuddles, and treats, he loves, loves to be outside. Especially in bad weather. We should all experience the pleasure that Dobie derives from playing in the snow.
Unfortunately, for as sweet and awesome as he is, Dobie is not without his problems. The poor guy has a heart murmur and a mild case of arthritis, as well as an addiction to eating child’s toys. His has eaten everything from crayons to Barbie shoes to Little People figurines to Legos. That’s not all. He will eat anything that falls on the floor (except olives. Go figure), socks, garbage, poop, dead animals that the cat leaves in the backyard…you name it, he has probably tried to eat it. He also incessantly licks the car door.
But, psychological issues aside, we can’t imagine our lives without him and he’s basically the best dog ever.
Now let’s talk about Barkley. Who’s just as awesome as Dobie. Only different. 
We got Barkley 3 months after we got married. He was my first pet ever (except for two guinea pigs whom he hated and hunted on numerous occasions) and, as a result, will always be special to me. He’s the smarter of our two, loves to run, is an expert jumper (which is how he wound up rupturing his ACL, after trying to chase after his nemesis–the mail truck), does not care about food except for Milkbone Minis, chicken, cheese, and peanut butter, will sit on any pile of laundry in his path (especially if it’s clean because what’s better than sitting on warm, clean laundry?), and goes almost everywhere with his toy football. He’s not much of a kisser or cuddler so when he does kiss or cuddle, it’s a huge deal. He’s also not as friendly as Dobie, preferring to keep to himself and supervise. My favorite thing he does, though, is the Bichon head tilt, which he does mostly when I speak to him and it makes me feel like the most interesting person to ever talk.
Barkley’s problems are less edible and more mental. He’s completely high strung and has horrible separation anxiety and pees constantly as a result. Sometimes he doesn’t make it outside, which is buckets of fun. He’s a bit of a sizeist, preferring to stick to other small dogs and staying away from bigger ones. And there has never been a dog with a more apropos name because he barks. At. Everything.
Oh, and for those wondering, he’s named for the dog on Sesame Street. This guy:
Sure, I may yell and complain about my dogs at times. But I love them and will do anything possible to care for and protect them. They make my life better, they keep me company when no one else does, are the best nap buddies, and always know the exact right thing to do when I’m sad or angry.
I can’t imagine my life without them.
Linking up with Erin for Meet the Canines
I love the bichon meme and the crazy if you mess with my dogs meme. I feel the same.
Don’t you just love the head tilt? Try Making funny noises and the head will go from one side to the other and over and over, it’s cute.
I can’t wait to do thisnpost. Just heading in to work jow!
Xo
Can’t wait to read all about yours! Love Bichons!!!
Are they the cutest!!! Nine and 11, that’s awesome! It’s great your dogs don’t fight or bicker because our older one definitely is territorial. She growls whenever the younger one (or any dog) comes close to her. We stop her though. I love the photo of Dobie lying on his back with his paws curled up on his chest. Our younger one does that too. And Barkley looks like he’s hugging a book in that one photo. Me also, I threaten to get rid of the young one every time he has an accident in the house but can’t because I don’t want to be one of those people who give up their dogs because it’s “too hard” because I signed up for this. No one forced me. Plus, you’re right, they’re adorable.
That was sarcasm at its finest. They definitely fight with each other.
He IS hugging the book! Dog knows what he’s doing!
Oh puppies! SO CUTE!
I really have to get on top of things, and write more about Alaska.
It’s really great how each of your pups has their own personalities.
Dogs are just like PEEPLES! *haha*
Kateri Von Steal recently posted…54 Below
Yes! Write more about Alaska!!! Love all the dogs!
I love it!
For a while I was like wait no food aggression? No squabbles? No
ohhhh. I see what you were doing there. LOL
They are each so unique. It’s crazy how things that don’t talk like we do have such distinct personalities.
I will always have that feeling for Gus because he was also my first pet.
SMD @ Life According to Steph recently posted…Dog bedtime rituals
As I was going through the comments, Dobie jumped on the couch and shoved Barkley, who was sitting next to me, out of the way. Ridiculous.
Can I join in the linky fun? Because you know I can write volumes about my dogs (and have). Hmm, where to find time between work and getting ready for Disneyland…
But, enough about me. Your boys are absolutely adorable. And I want to meet them, and cuddle them, even the one that doesn’t want to be cuddled (because those are my favorite to cuddle – I’m terrible that way).
shanendoah recently posted…National Puppy Adoption Awareness Day
Yes! You should join in on the linkup. All dogs are awesome!
Barkley does enjoy hugs and having his belly scratched and will roll over to show you his belly, commanding you to do so but when it comes to cuddling on the couch, he prefers his own space.
They are really cute! We had a bichon growing up and he was so sweet yet hyper all the time. He was the first dog we ever owned and I just remember when he got sick and passed away, it was the worst day. I love how you named one after Barkley!
Karen recently posted…Last Train To Babylon
Awe 🙂 I love reading about your dogs personalities. Isn’t it adorable that they each have their own personality traits?! Gracie and Mac certainly have their own. And your dogs are super precious…they remind me of Mac who is a maltipoo. And barks at fucking everything. Gracie is my whiner. The beagle in her wins.
Nadine recently posted…About Me in Fours
Ohhhh your little babes are so cute! Ugh, dogs are just the best. So much sads that my apartment building doesn’t allow them 🙁
alyssa recently posted…Solo Style
They are both adorable! I love that they get along so well. I am so nervous about getting a second dog because I don’t want Seamus to get bent out of shape. That meme is so true, I would bust out a level of crazy no-one wants to see if you mess with my dog.
I can’t help it. I have dogs too. So, as you talk about all the children’s toys that Dobie has eaten, I think of poor Dobie pooping those things out. Barkley giving you his head tilt is a cute vision 🙂 Sadly, there is probably 1.7% of the world’s population who would use dog pics for “nefarious” reasons, but let’s not think about that. Thanks for linking up!
Erin recently posted…Meet the Canines Link Up
Well who hasn’t tried to eat a crayon once in their life, right 😉 They are just precious!! I love being able to put a personality to the cute little face. My dog does the head tilt thing too and it just makes my heart melt it’s so darn adorable. And yes, I definitely save a special level of crazy for anyone who messes with my dog!
Brooke recently posted…The Blogs Have Gone to the Dogs! – Link Up
I seriously love this. Because I am THAT lady too and I never, ever planned to be. Scout does the head tilt too and I love it. When I talk, I feel like he’s actually listening to me.
And Jett and Dobie would get along famously, I’m sure.
Kristin recently posted…March Books
Right? I love the feeling of someone actually listening to me when I talk!
awww they are so adorable! now i want to use the word nefarious in a sentence. well, that counts i guess.
Kristen recently posted…This is why we would be besties.. Kate Middleton
Yes. It counts. It’s a great word, isn’t it?
Your dogs are adorable! I always celebrate my furry family members’ birthdays as well. 🙂 Found you on Erin’s blog!
I’m so pumped to write my dog post. Thank you for being the bearer of good news!
Also, your pups are cute! My dogs are totally my kids. I don’t look forward to the day that Phil starts to slow down. He’s MY boy and he’s not overly affectionate unless he knows something is going on, but he’s always there for me, no matter what with his bad breath.
Teh Megan recently posted…Five on Friday #fidy
Our pets can be precious to us if we treasure each moment we spend together with them. Just like Dobie and Barkley, the two dog really likes each other. They never fight and that’s a good sign of a best owner. Giving them the love and care they need is the best thing to do with your pets.
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