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We weren’t looking to adopt another dog. We already had two.<br>But. In a dual error of planning neither were Labs.<br>We’ve 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.
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We weren’t looking to adopt another dog. We already had two. But. In a dual error of planning neither were Labs. We’ve 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. She’s full of energy, always interested in playing. It’s been fun and interesting to see what other breeds are like and, while I do dearly love our other dogs, it’s become clear to me that I am, first and foremost, a Lab girl.
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 didn’t 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 I’ve 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.
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 I’ll 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. He’ll stay there all day if I’m willing to pet him. Read more www.sodapup.com
3. 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. 4. Semi-smartness. I’m not going to say Labs are dumb because they’re not. I’d say they’re 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 they’re 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 doesn’t spend time figuring out how he can NOT do what I want. It’s 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!
