My Guardian

I never wanted a boy dog, I had always known girls and felt that was the best "fit" for a pet. I will not lie, I was slightly scared of the boy dog anatomy, but that was a quick relief once I knew most of it was easily removable (sorry Ollie)! The poor dog doesn't even lift his leg to pee, and Sophie marks more than he...ahhh the perfect boy.

As he has grown from a velveteen pup to a handsome young man, he has of course captured my heart, but also taken hold of the protector roll as well. This past summer over Howard's first weekend away, Oliver was a mess. He barked non-stop and just paced. By mid-weekend he had calmed down a bit, but it was the last night Howard was gone that things really got interesting. It was storming out and I mean a really bad storm. This had poor Ols on edge even more than the real man of the household being gone, so much that he gave up his spot on the bed that he was so graciously given, while Howard was away. He went all the way downstairs and slept (I'm sure with one eye open) on the rug in front of the door and when I begged and pleaded for him to come back up, he honestly looked at me like-this is my job, leave me alone! He didn't come back upstairs until about 4 am, and even then, he laid in the entry way of my door, as though he was ready to ward off any trouble. After that night, I knew I was safe. I sleep very soundly to this day because of this calm he brings. Sure we also have a shot gun in our closet, but who's counting? haha

Tonight as I type, Oliver lays but inches away from my chair and gets up every now and then to monitor a passing car and lets out a little "woof" as though they can hear. How sweet the sound of his annoying barks, I must remind myself of their meaning.

The picture above is one I snapped this evening of the young man (TWO on Thanksgiving) while he guarded the house tonight until Howard got home from work. He sits very awkwardly on the stairs just so he is able to see out of the door and all front windows. You won't ever find him in this spot once Howard is home, he just knows.

And as I continue to ramble with this keyboard, Howard has just left for an HOA meeting and back to his spot he has returned. Oh, man's best friend...you're a good one.