August 9, 2010 was a red-letter date for the Schachs. This was the date when the Twins were born. It had been a lonely spring and summer for us. Missy the Boxer had left us in February, leaving a gaping hole in our hearts. I had promised her that we would live life to the fullest once I retired in June. Unfortunately, I was never able to fulfill that promise. We never had those long walks in the park, or the rides in the car to nowhere in particular. The endless afternoons throwing balls and eating ice cream never became a reality.
Life without a dog left an emptiness in our household. With Brady away in college, and with my husband working long hours for the rail road, I longed for four-legged companionship. After a lengthy discussion, it was decided that we would indeed bring a puppy into our home.
What ensued was a story that many of you have followed since the very beginning. Instead of one bouncing baby Boxer, enter two: Cimarron’s Do You Know the Muffin Man, named after one of Brady’s favorite lines from the movie, “Shrek”, and Cimarron’s What Were You Thinking, which was exactly what my husband said when I told him that I had bought two.
How I survived those first months, I’ll never know! Potty training was a nightmare. While I had one outside, the other was pottying inside.
Chewing was a never ending nightmare. We lost a cell phone, a remote, and a camera to Brody,
while Muffy added her own special touches to the couch and chair.
They played hard
and napped even harder.
But through it all, they were the best snugglers and lovers that two puppies could ever be.
As we fast forward to today, both have become well adjusted, loving members of our family. Muffy is one win away from her AKC Champion title. Motherhood and a stint as a therapy dog loom in her future. Brody will hit the circuit again later this fall, after taking time off to recover from cancer and to mature. There will be no puppies in his future. Instead he will forever be the consummate clown. They are my constant companions…my best friends…my confidantes. They are the ones to whom I tell my troubles. They are the ones with whom I share my dreams. They are the ones who dry my tears when I cry. They are the ones who make me laugh when I am sad. They are the ones who love me unconditionally…and I love them right back. Happy third birthday, Twins!
Until next time…
