Introducing Tod and Logan, our Springadors

In creating and writing this post, I have inner resistance. Because I am not a dog person. I’m in no way familiar with dog etiquette. So the best I can do, is to write as me.

So, I’m a cat person. Classic introvert. Mr J is an extrovert, the man who introduced me to karaoke (as a back-up singer obviously). A dog person.

With Fred and Ginger integrated in our family, Miller was our canine addition. A beautiful black cocker spaniel who became a part of our lives. And in doing so our pets had to accept our additions, more humans; Seren, Tom and Seb.

We lived. We moved to South Wales. And we accommodated the wish for new pets. We welcomed Jewelly- a new cat for Seren. We welcomed Chase- a new puppy- for Seb, but for all of us.

And we coped with the devastation of Chase leaving us before he turned two. And I broke down at Miller leaving us days later. My cocker spaniel who had accompanied me. In life, protecting my wards, and staying at my feet.

And so it quickly became clear that, whilst I am still so far from being a dog person, living without canine company was a step too far.

We have loved and lost. And we established a new path, picking up the pieces and learning that we could open our arms. We’ve learned. As much as we can.

I’m convinced that my husband is a better person because of canine company. He relies on the excuse for fresh air and exercise.

So I was far from surprised that by the end of the first day of me working away, Mr J was on the phone completely stir crazy. His respite is taking the dogs on five-mile walks. Without them all he was left with was his thoughts. 

We appreciated, the loss of Chase and Miller was far wider than their existence in our lives, but our existence in theirs.

And so, we didn’t wait until after our November holiday as we had originally agreed. Mr J needs canine company for his wellbeing. And of course, any pet couldn’t be in a better home with three children to shower them with affection.

So we did a bit of research. Learned our lessons. 

I couldn’t bear to bring another cocker spaniel into our home. But didn’t want a big dog that I couldn’t look after in Mr J’s absence.I’m still not convinced Springadors met my “small dog” requirement. But they completely meet Mr J’s  requirement of “love long walks.”Logan – named by the children, for reasons I know not, but I love X-Men. Tod. Because Miller was named after the place we met. Tod, our dog, was the place we grew our family.

We have welcomed beautiful siblings. We didn’t learn any lessons from our own twin boys.

I just live in hope they’ll continue to be better behaved than our real-life siblings.