She had him at woof.
For those of you looking for an update on our Golden Doodle puppy, Brady, he’s a near-perfect pooch. Sure, he requires work and the kids don’t walk and care for him as much as I hoped they would.
But that furry guy greets me at the door every single time I get home with a leg nuzzle and a wagging tail that says “You’re the greatest!”
It never gets old. His love is truly unconditional, a rarity in my house.
He’s friendly, well-behaved, and doesn’t smell bad. He really doesn’t shed, and seems content to eat the same food every day, and spend hours on my cold, slate kitchen floor without a complaint or hint of bitterness . (Although he does much prefer to lay among the pillows on my couch.)
And now’s he’s got a crush on the girl next door.
The lovely Elsie
She’s an adorable Wheaton Terrier named Elsie who’s just a few months younger than Brady.
Ever since they discovered each other across our chain-link fence, their obsession has grown. When one is out, he/she is searching for the other. Their determination to connect is so intense, they’ve found spots all along the fence to dig holes just deep enough for Elsie (who’s smaller) to escape into our yard.
This week’s escape hole dug by Elsie
While our neighbors are onboard with the relationship, they’re non too pleased about the endless excavation and have tried many different methods to shore up the shallow spots– to no avail.
Attempts to block the lovers from clandestine meetings
Despite the neighbors’ Les Miserables quality barricades, those pups burrow their way to being together.
At least a few times a week, Elsie will dig her way over and I’ll see the two dogs barking and chasing each other around with a glee akin to me at a Bloomingdale’s shoe sale.
They run, they wrestle, they snip at their ears.
They roll around in complete circles like animated cartoon dogs.
When they get tired they stop and drink water, sharing one bowl, even though there are always two.
Sometimes they’ll find a shady spot and lay down next to each other glancing around and I swear they’re having some telepathic conversation about me, the sorry state of our yard, or perhaps the high price of good steak these days. Who knows?
They’re so deeply in love, we’ve started referring to them as Romeo and Juliet. 
Get a room!!
We don’t always want them escaping into the other yard, and have to corral them back home, but they just can’t stay away. We arrange regular play dates so they get exercise and their flirting fix. (And speaking of fixed, don’t worry, they’ve both been neutered.)
The only down side to this affair is that they get filthy from rolling around in the hay, so to speak. But it’s a small price to pay to see the determination and joy of love blooming through a metal fence.
carpool candy 