Here's a pair, Whaler & Whiner. Without a doubt, these two rascals have taught me more about terriers than any others of that breed. For those that have not guessed, they are Jack Russell Terriers. Whaler a.k.a. "Bubba Lou" and Whiner a.k.a. "Whiney Sue" will amuse and amaze even those that aren't too fond of canines. What a lively and spirited pair they are! Whiney appears to be the "boss", but don't think for one minute that Bub looks at it that way!

Whaler has very set opinions. When he doesn't like someone or something, he'll be the first to let you know. On the other hand, the things that make him happy, and the people that he does like, he cannot get enough of or do enough for. He is a shorter legged version than Whiney, but his gait is very regal. He walks, or should I say "struts", along with his head high, ready to protect his domain. He does not like to be approached too quickly by strangers, and I pity the poor fool that tries to rush up to him, bend down and offer him a pat on the head! He just might take it the wrong way and things could get a little testy. He is cautious when selecting friends, he will approach strangers very carefully, and almost going in slow motion the closer he gets to them. He will usually wait for a while before asking for a pet, but once he decides you are his type, he'll do anything for you, and the next time he sees you he'll remember you…that goes both ways, if you're in you're in, if not, keep your hands and feet to yourself! I have known Whaler for over five years, it took some time for us to totally understand each other, and in the beginning we had our good and bad days. We went a couple of days without talking once, but we made up and vowed that we would never get mad at each other again, and we haven't! Over the past three years, I have come to know and love this dog as though he were my own. He is a very intent listener, and has a large vocabulary; he loves his ball so much too. Who says Terriers don't retrieve? Whaler does, though he is biting down with all his might to hang on, he'll put that deflated ball right back into the palm of your hand when he brings it back engaging you in a tug-o-war before giving it up to you.

Then there's Whiney, a very different personality than Whaler. She is taller, sleeker and much faster than Whaler is; she is a very good specimen of this breed in every respect. She's the one that will charge out the door as soon as it opens to see what poor varmint has dared to cross into the yard. Squirrels, opossums, raccoons, rabbits, cats, birds and (last but not least) skunks, have all met their grave fates in Whiner's backyard. Whiner is so bold; she has been known to just run right through the Electric Fence barrier when in pursuit of some unfortunate critter. I have been witness to such action while taking care of them. Whiner is not at all afraid of anything it seems. However one night last summer, a critter got revenge on poor little Whiney Sue, she cornered a skunk! She backed off real fast and Bub decided to go and investigate what all the fuss was about and he too was then in need of a "de-skunking". Inside the house, Whiner is as sweet and loving as a little lamb. She loves to be held against your chest and rocked like a baby. She blinks her eyes and gives me lots of kisses. She listens really well and understands everything I tell her.

As a pair they are very amusing and delightful. Sometimes they compete for attention, but once they settle down, they are just happy to be around me, and never fail to make me feel at home. I am grateful for these two, as they truly are "doggie dogs", the stuff that REAL dogs are made of. Before Whaler and Whiner, I thought Gun Dogs were the most suited for my taste, but I have come to learn that the breed of a dog is really irrelevant; a good dog is just a good dog. I'm glad that everyone has met Whaler & Whiner this month, as they are my longest standing clients and ones I hold very dear in my heart.