There's a Bear! Where? Over There!

It matters that dog lovers have dogs in their lives. "Bear" (pictured) is here two years after Tasha died. I think it really took us that long for hole in our hearts to be open to the shape of a new canine friend. Tasha memories are still pretty fresh but we are ready to make new ones.

Bear is about 60 lbs of focused energy and attention. I've never met a dog that looks so long and hard at you so as to really learn what is going on. This is not to say once he learns what we want it agrees with his desires, but we are working ourselves toward the Alpha role in his life. We know it takes time - especially for dogs who are thinking it all over.

He really does want to please us (most of the time) and is learning how to do exactly that. It is so great to have a wagging tail, wet nose, and perked up ears around the house again. He is a lot to contend with because of his size so we must soon win absolute Alpha status soon so no one gets hurt being dragged behind a leash.

His name will remain "Bear" as a reflection of his size, but not his attitude.

Sadly, we had to give Bear back to his previous owners because my allergies would not relent even after two weeks of and adjustment time. While this disappointment was real, it was lessened by the joy we saw at his reunion with his previous owner - who really did not want to give him up and is now finding a creative way to be able to keep him after all.

A happy ending? For Bear, yes. But we are resolved to find a pet that fits without giving me sneezing fits. We think we can wait till the spring, but we have been bit (in a good way) with the hunger to invite a four legged friend to live with us again. I guess we are on the same hypoallergenic search that our new president is on. A pet I can freely pet is would be nice.